Forum of Water Status, Problems and Sustainability in China was held in SETORS on May 19, 2012. ITP Prof. YAO Tandong was invited to introduce the water issue in the Tibet Plateau and its surrounding regions. Titled “Multi-phase transition of water in the earth system on the Third Pole and its environmental impacts”, Prof Yao highlighted a new research program, Third Pole Environment (TPE). He informed the audience of the latest emphasis of the TPE program on the water issue. The impact of global warming on multi-phase transition of water was particularly noted by Prof Yao. He also shared with the audience some major research approaches in tackling the issue.

Hydrology Bureau of Tibet Autonomous Region also gave strong support to this forum, with Dr. GONG Tongliang, deputy director of the bureau, attending the forum and giving a key-note speech.

Distinguished hydrologists and engineers participating the forum included CAS academician LIU Changming, Profs. YU Jingjie and LIU Suxia of the Institute of Geographical Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Prof. CHEN Jianyao of the Sun Yet-Sen University, Prof. WANG Hongrui of Beijing Normal University,  Drs ZHAO Weimin and WANG Yu of Yellow River Conservancy Commission of the Ministry of Water Resources.

The forum acknowledged and highlighted the importance of plateau hydrology and water resources research in water resources research in China.