The 3rd International Yellow River Forum

INTRODUCTION

1. General Invitation

The 3rd International Yellow River Forum (IYRF) on Sustainable Water Resources Management and Delta Ecosystem Maintenance will be held on October 16~19, 2007 in Dongying City, Shandong Province of China. We sincerely invite you to attend the forum.

During October 17 – 21, 2005, Yellow River Conservancy Commission held the 2nd International Yellow River Forum successfully in Zhengzhou. More than 800 delegates from about 60 countries and areas attended the forum. Focusing on the central theme “Keeping Healthy Life of the River”, delegates carried on wide exchanges and discussions on the plenary and 66 technical sessions, which showed their research achievement sufficiently and analyzed the experiences of river harnessing and river basin management from different aspects. On the forum, many new valuable viewpoints and advanced experiences were presented, which will promote the river basin management to keep healthy life of the river actively.

The 3rd International Yellow River Forum will be held in Dongying City of Shandong Province. Dongying City is located at the estuary of the Yellow River, and the scene is very beautiful with the delta wetland. It is not only the youngest land and city in the world, but also has the largest wetland in Asia. In the city, you can feel the great demiurgic power and the historic process of creating the North-China Plain of the Yellow River.

Shandong Province is the cradle of Confucianism and has long history. Here you can feel the ancient civilization and the modern prosperity. We invite you to attend the forum to experience the power and life of the river. Further more, we appreciate your participation and contribution for providing good suggestions and plans for the Yellow River and other rivers in the world about the sustainable utilization of water resources and the delta ecosystem maintenance.

2、Who Should Attend

All the decision-makers, engineers, ecologists, economists, sociologist, scientists and researchers who are involved in river basin management are warmly welcome to attend this forum. All the participants will have opportunity to present your ideas and exchange ideas with others.

3. Venue

Dongying City, Shandong Province

4. Forum Language

Working language: English & Chinese

TECHNICAL PROGRAMME AND CALL FOR PAPERS

1、Central Theme and Technical Sessions

Central theme of the Forum is Sustainable water resources management and delta ecosystem maintenance.

According to the content and the number of papers we have received, the opening and closing ceremony, general reports and keynote speeches will be held in the main conference hall, and the technical sessions will be held in the meeting rooms in parallel sessions. Two scientists, one from host country and another from guest country, will together chair and co-chair a session. Technical sessions will be grouped as follows:

1.1 Technical Sessions

A. Sustainable Water Resources Management and Basin Ecosystem Construction

Contents:

● Sustainable Water Resources Management and Integrated River Basin Management;

● Basin Ecosystem Construction and Sustainable Development;

● Water Resources Management Technology of Surface Water and Groundwater, Rainfall and Runoff, etc.

B. Delta Ecosystem Protection and Maintenance

Contents:

● Delta Wetlands and Biodiversity Protection;

● Related Laws and Regulations Applied on Delta Ecosystem Protection;

● Management and Approach of Delta Ecosystem Maintenance.

C. Delta Ecosystem and Delta Development Modes

Contents:

● Delta Evolution Mechanism, Evolution Rules and Regulation;

● Tide Movement Impacts on Estuary Water and Sediment Exchange and Evolution;

● Delta Ecosystem Protection and Development Modes;

● Economy Development Modes and Experiences in Delta Area.

D. Strategies and Practices on Keeping Healthy Life of Rivers

Contents:

● Ideas and Indicators of Healthy River Life;

● Measures, Approaches and Practices of Keeping Healthy Life of Rivers;

● Experiences and Approaches of Basin Water Environment Protection and River Function Coordination.

E. River Engineering and River Ecology

Contents:

● Flood Control, Ice Defense, Drought Relief and Engineering Management under the Idea of Keeping Healthy Life of Rivers;

● Engineering Demand of River Ecology and Environmental Flow;

● River Ecological Environment Monitoring, Water Pollution Prevention Technology and Water Resources Protection Measures;

● River Ecological Water Demand and Ecosystem Rehabilitation.

F. Regional Water Resources Allocation and Interbasin Water Transfer

Contents:

● Regional Water Demand and Allocation of Industry, Agriculture, Ecology and livelihood, etc.;

● Interbasin Water Transfer and Water Resources Optimal Allocation;

● Water Resources Regulation and Management;

● Interbasin Water Transfer Impacts Evaluation on Society, Economy and Environment.

G. Water Right, Water Market and Water-saving Society

Contents:

● Laws and Regulations Applied on Water Right, Water Price and Water Market;

● Approaches and Management Experiences of Water-saving Society Construction;

● Experiences and Measures on Water Right, Water Market and Integrated Water Resources Management;

● Water Resources Capital Management and new Water-saving Technologies.

H. High-tech Application in Modern Basin Management and its Development Trend

Contents:

● Modern Basin Management Ideas and Integrated Water Resources Management Modes;

● Modern Hydrological Forecast and Monitoring Technology;

● Basin Management Simulation Technology;

● Basin Physical and Mathematical Simulation Technologies;

● GIS, GPS, RS Technologies Application in Modern Basin Management and their Development Trends.

1.2 Special Sessions

A. Sustainable Hydropower Exploitation and Healthy Maintenance of River Basins

Cosponsors: Henan Provincial Hydropower Engineering Society and China Society for Hydropower Engineering

Contents: basin hydropower exploitation and sustainable resources utilization; new ideas and planning strategies of basin hydropower exploitation based on the healthy life of rivers; related policies, laws and regulations, and technologies.

B. Basin Economy and Resources Allocation

Cosponsors: Economic Development and Management Bureau of YRCC and Water Supply Bureau of YRCC

Contents: basin economy development ideas, planning strategies and developing modes; sustainable basin resources utilization; water resources allocation and management; related policies, laws and regulations, and technologies.

C. Water Engineering Construction and Management in River Basins

Cosponsors: Department of Construction and Management of YRCC and CPN International Engineering Detection Technology Co. Ltd. of America, etc.

Contents: water engineering construction management modes; quality, process and fund control in water engineering construction; water engineering operation mechanism study; new facilities and technologies applied in river regulation engineering construction.

D. Density Current Research

Cosponsors: Yellow River Research Association, Office of Flood Control of YRCC and Yellow River Institute of Hydraulic Research, etc.

Contents: formational mechanism and experimental study on density current in sediment-laden rivers, reservoirs and oceans; applications of density current; formation and utilization of man-made density current; regulation approaches and technologies of density current.

E. New Idea of Water Engineering Design in Sediment-laden Rivers and Key Technologies and Equipments Research on Sediment Disposal in Reservoirs

Cosponsors: Yellow River Research Association, Office of Flood Control of YRCC and Yellow River Institute of Hydraulic Research, etc.

Contents: design methodologies and modes of water engineering; new ideas of river basin planning; new technologies and approaches of sediment disposal in reservoirs; new dredging and pipeline transportation equipments in sediment disposal.

F. Global Water Partnership (GWP) Regional Session

Cosponsors: GWP, GWP China, GWP China (Yellow River) and Yellow River Research Association, etc.

Contents: GWP regional working meeting and annual meeting; dialogue meeting on policies and related laws and regulations of integrated water resources management. (To be confirmed)

G. Environmental Flow Session of the World Conservation Union (IUCN)

Cosponsors: IUCN, etc.

Contents: dialogue and discussion on environmental flow and ecological issues; river ecosystem and environment protection. (To be confirmed)

H. Sino-Dutch Cooperation Project Session

Cosponsors: Ministry of Transport, Public Works and Water Management, the Netherlands, etc.

Contents: Preliminary meeting of Sino-Dutch Joint Steering Committee; Sino-Dutch Cooperation Project “Satellite based Water Monitoring and Flow Forecasting System in the Yellow River Basin” session; Sino-Dutch Cooperation Project “Yellow River Delta Environmental Flow Study” session. (To be confirmed)

I. World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) Session (To be confirmed)

J. Water and Soil Conservation Session of Department for International Development (DFID), British Embassy Beijing (To be confirmed)

K. River Basin Management High-level Forum of Sino-EU (Including Sino-EU cooperation

project session-to be confirmed)

L. European International Network for Basin Organizations (Euro-INBO) Session (To be

confirmed)

M. Sino-Australia Personnel Training Exchange Session (To be confirmed)

The above sessions might have slight modification according to the preparation process. More details and further information will be shown in Bulletin Three.

1.3 Poster and exhibition

We will provide exhibition area for the participants during the Forum. We sincerely welcome all companied, organizations and individuals exhibit products and corresponding pictures. If you have any product to exhibit, please fill in the attachment Form C and return it to the LOC Secretariat no late than June 30, 2007，or contact the LOC Secretariat directly.

2. Call for Papers

Participants are encouraged to write papers for the IYRF, these will be reviewed before they get accepted. You should provide your paper written in English to the Secretariat of IYRF before Feb. 28, 2007. The notice of acceptance of papers will be sent by e-mail before March 31, 2007. The authors who do not get the notice at that time could ask us about it via e-mail. Authors should provide us valid e-mail address.

If you have received the acceptance notification of your paper, please prepare your technical paper for printing not more than 10 pages in A4 and front size 10.5 in length using Word 97, 2000 or XP and send it to LOC of IYRF via e-mail or post mail in electronic form on disk before April 30, 2007, so that it can be printed in the Conference Proceedings. The attachment contains the required format.

Please also include the following information in the transmittal of your paper:

a) Name of the presenter (speaker)

b) Brief introduction for the speaker (maximum 100 words in length)

c) Contact address

d) E-mail, Phone number and Fax number

SOCIAL PROGRAMME

The following social programmes of events have been organized for participants and accompany persons.

1. Chairman’s Reception

On Oct. 16, 2007 evening, all participants and accompanying persons are invited to the Chairman’s Reception of the LOC.

2. Conference Banquet

On Oct. 18, 2007 evening, the Farewell Banquet will be held.

3. Entertainment Evening

On Oct. 17, 2007 evening, the LOC will organize an entertainment evening show.

TECHNICAL VISITS AND TOURS

1. During the Conference

1.1 Technical Visits

One-day technical visits will be arranged to visit the Yellow River estuary wetland, the tide control dam, the experiment base of the Yellow River estuary etc.

1.2 Activities for Accompany Persons

Activities of accompany person during the forum, the visiting famous relic, parks, shopping and related activities are arranged.

2. Pre- and Post-Forum Technical Tours

Routes for pre- and post- forum technical tours will be arranged according to the number of participants. Date for registration deadline of the pre- and post-forum tours will be June 30, 2007. Fees will be charged according to expenditure.

2.1 Pre-forum technical tour:

Route 1: Dongying – Qingdao – Rizhao – Dongying （3 days）

Route 2: Dongying – Qufu – Taishan Mountain – Zibo – Dongying （4 days）

2.2 Post-forum technical tour:

Route 1: Dongying – Rizhao – Qingdao （3 days）

Route 2: Dongying – Zibo – Zichuan – Jinan （3 days）

Route 3: Dongying – Penglai – Yantai – Weihai – Qingdao（4 days）

Route 4: Dongying – Zibo – Qufu – Taishan Mountain – Jinan （4 days）

CONFERENCE, ACCOMMODATION AND TOUR FEES

1. Registration Fees

Fees for Forum participants include the fees of all activities for four days during the conference, for example, tea and snack, working lunch, reception, entertainment evening, Conference banquet, technical visits and a set of proceedings. Fees for accompany persons include the fees of all activities in Dongying as participants during the conference except for the proceedings.

Fees of Registration per person (in USD)

	Before August 16, 2007	After August 16, 2007
Regular Participant	400	500
Accompany Person	250	300

The attached registration Form A should be completed and returned to the Secretariat of LOC, IYRF by June 30, 2007.

2. Fees for Technical Tours

Fees for technical tours include the fees of transportation from the departure city to the destination city (flight, train, ship, car and so on), accommodation, meals and entrance ticket of scenic areas. Because there are many unexpected things that affect the fees for tours, if the price mentioned above fluctuates within 10% we will not give more explanation.

Fees for Pre-Forum Technical Tours (in USD)

Route	1	2
Fees	250	300

Fees for Post-Forum Technical Tours (in USD)

Route	1	2	3	4
Fees	250	250	300	300

The attached technical tour and hotel reservation Form B should be completed and returned to the Secretariat of LOC, IYRF by June 30, 2007.

3. Fees for Accommodation

Organizing Committee of the Conference has reserved rooms for participants in the hotels near the Conference site in favored price.

Hotel Reservation Fees (in USD)

Name of hotel	Standard	Price (in USD per room)				Deposit (in USD)
		Single-bed room		Double-bed room
		before Aug 16, 2007	after Aug 16, 2007	before Aug 16, 2007	after Aug 16 2007
Blue Horizon International	★★★★★	65	75	75	85	100
Dongying Hotel	★★★★	45	55	55	65	50

The attached Form B of technical tour and hotel reservation should be completed and returned to the Secretariat of LOC, IYRF by June 30, 2007.

4. Methods of Payment

Registration fee, hotel deposit and tour fee should be in US dollars and made payable by the following methods.

4.1 Payment in Advance by Bank Transfer

Intermediary Bank: SWIFT: CHASUS33

JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, NEW YORK

Beneficiary’s Bank: / 001054361

SWIFT: CIBKCNBJ450

CHINA CITIC BANK, ZHENGZHOU BRANCH

(FORMERLY CITIC INDUSTRIAL BANK ZHENGZHOU BRANCH)

No. 26 North Jingsan Road, Zhengzhou, China

Beneficiary’s Name: Press and Publication Center, YRCC

Account Number: 7817391011482600002051

4.2 On-Site Payment at the Conference Reception Counter Desk

The conference reception counter desk will accept cash, Master Card, Visa and American Express.

5. Official Receipt

All participants will receive written confirmation via email or fax from LOC as soon as their registration form with correct payment have reached the account number mentioned above. A formal receipt will be given on the registration desk.

6. Cancellations

Cancellation must be made in written form to LOC of IYRF. The refund will be processed within two months after the Conference according to the followings:

	Before Sep. 1, 2007	After Sep. 1, 2007
Registration fee	75％ refund	No refund
Hotel Deposit	50％ refund	No refund
Tour fee	90％ refund	70％ refund

Notes:

1. In order to avoid any trouble in money transfer, please send a copy of your remittance invoice or receipt together with your Registration Form A and B.

2. No personal cheques are acceptable for the above payments.

RELATED INFORMATION

1. Dongying City

Dongying City is located at the Yellow River Delta where the Yellow River flows into the Bohai Sea. The city is at lat. 36°55′～38°10′ N and long. 118°07 ′～119°10′ E. And total area is 7923 km2.

2. Climate

The climate is quite delightful in October in Dongying. In this month, according to the five-year weather data, the highest temperature is 16.1℃, the lowest is12.6℃, and its average temperature is 14.5℃. The average precipitation is 33.2mm. During the Conference, the weather will be comfortable.

3. Passport and Visa

A valid passport and visa for visiting China are required. Upon receiving your Registration Form and relevant payment, LOC will send you an official invitation letter for visa application at the nearest Chinese Embassy or Consulate General. Please allow an adequate time to get visa.

4. Insurance

The organizers cannot be held responsible for personal accidents or material damage that may occur to the participants during the Forum, or tours. All participants are advised to make their own arrangements in respect to health and travel insurance before commencing their journey to the Forum.

5. Currency Exchange

In China, only RMB is used. However, exchange centers can be found at airports, most hotels and large shopping centers. When exchanging money, please keep your receipt by which you can change any residual RMB back to USD when leaving China. Visa, Master Card and American Express are accepted in many department stores and hotels. The Bank of China and most hotels can cash traveler’s cheques issued by any foreign bank or financial institution. Participants will need to show their passport and pay about 1% commission. Traveler’s cheques signed over to third party cannot be cashed in China, but can be presented for collection through the Bank of China.

CONTACT PERSON

1. IYRF Organizing Committee:

Secretary-general: Mr. Shang Hongqi; Tel: +86-371-66025954

Deputy Secretary-general: Ms. Sun Feng; Tel: +86-371-66020224

Deputy Secretary-general: Mr. Ma Xiao; Tel: +86-371-66028572

2. IYRF Secretary:

Address: Secretariat of LOC, IYRF Yellow River Conservancy Commission

11 Jinshui Road, Zhengzhou 450003, China

Contact person:

Mr. Tong Yifeng, Tel: +86-371-66028573

Ms. Fan Jie, Tel: +86-371-66022479

Mr. Li Yuehui, Tel: +86-371-66028570