From Aug. 27 to Aug31, 2018 the 16th International Symposium on Geological Disaster Reduction (ISGDR), cosponsored by the University of Strasbourg and the International Federation of geological disasters and disaster reduction, was held at the University of Strasbourg, France. The conference has five topics: earthquake and tsunami, motion mechanism and model of disaster causing body, characteristics and stability of rock and soil, risk and society, and disaster reduction measures and technologies. More than 50 well-known experts and young scholars from China, Japan, Italy, Germany, Britain, France, Czech Republic, Morocco, Belgium, Indonesia, Nepal and other countries attended the meeting. Prof. Cai Xiaoguang, director of Scientific Research Department of IDP, Associate Professor Li Ping, assistant dean of College of Geological Engineering, and Dr. Li Xiaobo, dean of Urban Underground Space Engineering, were invited to attend the meeting.

Prof. Cai Xiaoguang, Associate Professor Li Ping, and Dr. Li Xiaobo respectively gave academic reports on "Analysis of Potential Failure Surface of Reinforced Soil Retaining Wall Under Seismic Loading", "Evaluating 2D Numerical Simulations of Granular Columns in Generically Slopable Sites Using Central Experiments", "Effect of Bedeck Terrain on Yutian Ground Motion" , and introduced the latest research results.

During the meeting, the teachers of IDP actively carried out academic interaction with other participants, and conducted extensive and in-depth exchanges and discussions on the mechanism of earthquake and geological disasters, prevention and control methods of geological disasters, new technologies for reducing geological disasters and application for major projects.

On the eve of the conference, the International Federation of Geological Disasters and Disaster Reduction also held its 7th Meeting of Directors at UNESCO headquarters in Paris. Associate Professor Li Ping, Secretary of International Federation of Geological Disasters and Disaster Reduction, attended the meeting. The Council meeting selected the advanced collectives and advanced individuals in 2017-2018, passed the financial report of the Federation and the work report of association in 2017-2018, established the Slope Engineering Toughness and Bearing Capacity Committee based on seismic performance design, and determined that the 17th International Conference on Geological Disasters and Mitigation will be held in Kyrgyzstan.