14th Kyoto University Southeast Asian Forum
Organized by
Kyoto University (CSEAS) and Vietnam Kyoto University Alumni Association
Supported by
Kyoto University & Hanoi Medical University

Date :
Time :Venue:

Saturday 30th November, 2013
8:00am – 2:00pm
The 3rd floor, Grand Hall,Hanoi Medical University
No.1, Ton That Tung Street
Dong Da District, Ha Noi

14th Kyoto University Southeast
Asian Forum
Climate Change Adaptation and Disaster Risk Reduction
in Vietnam
Vietnam is a disaster prone country and one of the world's most vulnerable countries to climate change, particularly affected byclimate-related hazards. Over the past two decades, climate related disasters in Viet Nam have caused an average annual loss of USD
1.8 billion, or 1.2 percent of GDP (in PPP), and an average of 445 deaths. Although the number of deaths is decreasing due to better
disaster preparedness and response, the economic losses are increasing.
Furthermore, 93 percent of the Mekong delta land is less than 1.5 meter above mean sea water level and saline water already intrudes
30-40 km inland. Low-land cities are vulnerable to sea level rise which affects the poorest residents in the most exposed areas. Theseevents not only cause death and disease but also reduce job opportunities and increase food prices. Climate change scenarios show
clear changes in wet-season rainfall that will further exacerbate such flooding.
Economic development and population increases are putting additional pressures on natural resources and result in changes indisaster patterns and risks, but they are also very difficult to predict. Deforestation in the uplands, dam building upstream in rivers,and mineral extraction from river beds have altered the water flow and discharge of rivers. The Mekong delta has seen reduced waterflow in the dry season and serious erosion in the flood seasons.
The increasingly extreme climatic events will do much damage but are very difficult to predict. Combined with social economicchanges the forecast and projections of damage is even more challenging. Therefore the role of climate science is evident for agreeing
strategic responses and investments-and policy makers must take note of the analysis.
In October and November this year, many storms, one after another, have been hitting Vietnamese central provinces and cities
including Dong Hoi, Da Nang, Hoi An, Tam Ky. They destroyed infrastructure, and interrupted production, business, and activitiesof all sectors such as industries, health, and education, causing billions of VND in economic losses.
Since climate change impacts across a number of environmental and economic sectors, including water security, agriculture, coastal
communities, and infrastructure; it is needed to have expert’s community from various areas to address the exiting and future risks ofclimate change impacts.
The objectives of the workshop is to bring Kyoto University’s professors, alumni and friends to:- Update the climate change scenarios and climate change impacts on various sectors in Vietnam- Share the researches results related to climate change and disaster risk reduction of Japan and Vietnam- Update the national policy of Vietnam on urban development, climate change adaptation and disaster risk reduction.

14th Kyoto University Southeast
Asian Forum

Kyoto University - Southeast Asian Forum(KU-CSEAS Forum)

Programs (Nov. 30, 2013)

14th Kyoto University Southeast
Asian Forum
Kyoto University was founded over a hundred years
ago since 1897. At present Kyoto University has 3campuses (Yoshida Campus the main campus, UjiCampus and Katsura Campus) with 17 graduate
schools, 10 faculties, 13 researches institutes and 31
education and research centers and facilities. Amongits alumni, the university counts seven Nobel Prizelaureates in fundamental natural science fields.
Inspired by the university’s mission statement “Tosustain and develop its historical community on thisplanet”, Kyoto University continues to emphasize
and encourage fundamental & applied researches wellas humanities and social sciences. Many distinguishedresearchers’ groups are taking unconventional andthought-provoking approaches, resulting in worldclass achievements. Kyoto University is deeply
involved in collaborative research and academic
exchange with many universities and research
institutes, particularly in Southeast Asian counties. To
support these cooperation activities, liaison offices
were set up in Bangkok, Thailand (1964) and Jakarta,
Indonesia (1970). Till now, Kyoto University has
been one of the most active universities in doing
researches and education in Southeast Asian with
Southeast Asian people.

Time
08:00-08:30
08:30-08:40

ContentRegistration
Opening remarks

08:40-08:50

Opening remarks

08:50-09:15"Climate and disaster
resilience in urban andrural areas: somereflections"
Climate change anddisaster in Vietnam: Anoverview
Coffee/Tea break
Climate change andhealthUrban planning for
responding to climatechangePanel discussion:
approaches for climatechange study in different
sectors

09:15-09:40
09:40-10:05
10:05-10:30
10:30-10:55
10:55-11:45

11:45-11:55
12:00-14:00

Closing remarks
Evaluation meeting withLunch

SpeakerProf. Ta Thanh Van, Chairman
of VN KU alumni association(Vice president of Hanoi
Medical University)
Prof. Hidetoshi Kotera, Vicepresident of Kyoto UniversityProf. Rajib Shaw, International
Environment and Disaster
Management Laboratory,GSGES, Kyoto University
Dr. Nguyen Ngoc Huy,
Institute for Environmental
and Social Transition (ISET)
Assoc. Prof. Hoang Van Minh,
Hanoi Medical University
Dr. Hoang Vinh Hung,
Ministry of Construction
Prof. Rajib Shaw
Prof. Ta Thanh Van
Dr. Hoang Vinh Hung
Dr. Nguyen Ngoc Huy
Invited speaker from MoH
Prof. Ta Thanh Van
All participants