US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Commanding General Thomas P. Bostick visited IWHR on July 24, 2015 and met with IWHR President Kuang Shangfu, discussing bilateral cooperation on water science and technology.
Dr. Kuang welcomed the general and his delegations, including one from the US Embassy in China. He first gave a general picture on the responsibilities IWHR shoulders, and the latest research progress that aims at fulfilling the water governance philosophy of "prioritizing water saving, balancing human-water relationship, adapting integrated management methods and performing government and market functions," in particular the technical updates supporting the policies of the most stringent water resources management mechanism, the building of a water-saving society and the development of ecological civilization.
Dr. Kuang said USACE is famous for its long history, large scale, extensive scope, high level and strong business, and reviewed cooperation between USACE and IWHR that has been increasing in fields of integrated water resources management, flood control and disaster relief, water environment restoration, and dam safety, etc.
He also thanked USACE for supporting the technical session IWHR organized during the 7th World Water Forum, and hoped both sides would share experience and learn from each other through personnel exchange, project cooperation and joint seminars.
General Bostick thanked IWHR for its hospitality. He said USACE has both military and civil functions and so is an institution with both governmental and company characteristics; USACE, which has learned from natural disasters such as the floods and droughts in the Mississippi River Basin and the Katrina Hurricane, has been accumulating experience and improving both engineering and non-engineering measures to respond climate change.
He said China, with a long history, has accumulated rich culture and experience in water governance and management, from which the American counterparts should learn. He also looked forward to future bilateral cooperation.
Experts from related departments of IWHR gave presentations on their latest research projects and achievements. Discussions followed on topics of shared interests.
