On the morning of June 17, 2025, the Second Conference on Asian Aquatic Systems was held at the Chulalongkorn School for Integrated Innovation in Bangkok, Thailand. The event was co-organized by the French National Research Institute for Sustainable Development (IRD), Chulalongkorn University, the French Development Agency (AFD), the Stockholm Environment Institute, and the French Ministry for Ecological Transition and Biodiversity, under the framework of the “Year of the Sea” initiative.
The “Year of the Sea” is a newly launched global initiative from the 3rd United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC), held in Nice, France (June 2–13, 2025), aiming to highlight the critical role of the oceans and promote efforts to protect and preserve their essential values.
At the invitation of IRD, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Canh Thai, Vice President of Thuyloi University, and Dr. Le Quang Tuan, Deputy Head of the Department of Science, Technology and International Cooperation, attended the conference.
Photo: Vice President Nguyễn Cảnh Thái attending the plenary session
The Year of the Sea initiative has received strong support from the French Republic and IRD, aiming to emphasize the vital importance of oceans as a single interconnected global system that plays a crucial role in climate regulation, biodiversity, and human prosperity. Oceans are currently facing severe threats from economic and population growth, urbanization, overexploitation of resources, and climate change.
Photo: Vice President of Chulalongkorn University, Ambassador of France to Thailand, and Vice President of IRD jointly opening the Conference
In her opening remarks, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Palanee Ammaranond, Vice President of Chulalongkorn University, emphasized that science, collaboration, and equitable governance are essential to addressing complex environmental challenges facing aquatic ecosystems and the communities that depend on them. Urgent issues include climate change, biodiversity loss, pollution, and transboundary water management, especially in the Middle East. The conference aims to foster regional dialogue and cooperation among scientists and stakeholders to seek innovative, sustainable, and fair solutions. Water management must be based on solidarity, equity, and shared knowledge, beyond purely economic or political considerations. Moreover, these challenges are also opportunities to strengthen cooperation and ensure that water becomes a bridge between peoples rather than a source of division.
Photo: Assoc. Prof. Dr. Palanee Ammaranond delivering the opening speech
The Ambassador of the French Republic to Thailand, H.E. Jean Claude Poimbœuf, stated that this event is not only a scientific conference, but also a multilateral platform connecting scientists, policymakers, and development organizations. Stressing the importance of Southeast Asia, where aquatic ecosystems are severely threatened by climate change and global impacts, Ambassador Poimbœuf expressed hope for a strong link between science, policy, and communities to co-develop practical solutions and joint actions. He also called for the active and inclusive participation of all delegates.
Photo: Ambassador Jean Claude Poimbœuf delivering his remarks
In his address, Mr. Giles Pecassou, Deputy Director of IRD, emphasized IRD’s important role in promoting scientific cooperation for sustainability in Southeast Asia, particularly with Thailand. IRD has been present in Bangkok since 1995 and currently has seven researchers working at local institutions, including two based at Chulalongkorn University. The long-standing partnership with Chulalongkorn University, which is about to be renewed for another five years, exemplifies scientific diplomacy between France and Thailand. This conference focuses on addressing urgent challenges to river, delta, coastal, and marine ecosystems in the region, such as climate change and pollution. Priorities identified at the event will guide IRD’s international strategy in Asia, aimed at enhancing the resilience of coastal societies.
Photo: Ms. Marine Herrmann, IRD Advisor on Oceans and Coasts, presenting at the Conference
“This conference is intended to create a space for interdisciplinary and transnational cooperation to jointly tackle urgent issues related to social equity, data, ethnicity, and ecosystems—challenges that transcend borders and are of global concern. This is the second Southeast Asian regional conference, gathering over 80 scientists from various countries. The conference has expanded its scope to include NGOs, international agencies, and policymakers,” shared Ms. Marine Herrmann, IRD Advisor on Oceans and Coasts.
IRD (Institut de Recherche pour le Développement) is an international French research institute that contributes to science through its focus on aquatic ecosystems and strengthening societal resilience in the face of global challenges. IRD conducts extensive research on environmental changes, promotes community engagement in seeking sustainable solutions, and works to preserve resources for future generations.
This year’s conference focused on sharing research findings and assessing water cycles and governance across diverse aquatic environments such as rivers, coasts, deltas, and marine ecosystems. It also fostered interdisciplinary partnerships in the pursuit of sustainable solutions. The ultimate goal is to identify priority research questions and produce collaborative outputs such as white papers or policy briefs on aquatic ecosystems in Southeast Asia.