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IWR Contributes to 8th Ministers’ Forum on Infrastructure Development in the Asia-Pacific Region

Published Nov. 4, 2010
Photo of Attendees at Minister's Forum, October 8, 2010
Attendees at Minister's Forum, October 8, 2010 (courtesy Japan MLIT)
Photo of Attendees at Minister's Forum, October 8, 2010
Attendees at Minister's Forum, October 8, 2010 (courtesy Japan MLIT)
Photo of Press Conference following Minister's Forum, October 9, 2010
Press Conference following Minister's Forum, October 9, 2010 (courtesy Japan MLIT)

ALEXANDRIA, VA—November 4, 2010. Drs. Jerome (Jerry) Delli Priscoli and Kate White assisted The Honorable Jo-Ellen Darcy, Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works, at the recent 8th Ministers' Forum on Infrastructure Development in the Asia-Pacific Region. The theme for this forum was "Adaptation of infrastructure to increasing water-related risks under the influence of climate change." The meeting took place in Tokyo on October 8-9, 2010, and was hosted by Japan's Ministry of Lands, Infrastructure, Transportation and Tourism.

Ms. Darcy presented two talks at the forum and provided comments on a Minister's Declaration on the theme of the forum. Her talk at the Senior Officials meeting on October 8 discussed details of USACE climate change adaptation progress. At the Ministers’ meeting on October 9, Ms. Darcy gave a presentation addressing overarching goals to maintain and improve the performance of water-related infrastructure in the face of global and climate change. This talk was based on a paper titled "Society Benefits From Adaptation to Water-Related Risks Posed by Climate Change," which emphasizes the value of water resources infrastructure and the importance of adaptation strategies.

Dr. Delli Priscoli, a senior advisor at IWR, provided information about international water resources development issues based on extensive participation in major world water forums and relationships with senior water ministers worldwide. Dr. White, an IWR senior lead for global and climate change, supported Ms. Darcy in the area of climate change impacts and adaptation related to water resources. COL Truesdell, Commander, Japan District, and LTC Thomas Tickner of the Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works also assisted Ms. Darcy during the visit.

The Ministers' Forum is a unique international platform for ministers and senior officials to discuss development strategies and policies, exchange views, and share experiences related to infrastructure development. Representatives from Brunei Darussalam, Chile, Columbia, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Mexico, Papua-New Guinea, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam attended the meeting.

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