The first International Conference on Debris Flow (ICDF) on “Improving Management  through Science and Technology” is organized by the Aga Khan Agency for Habitat (AKAH) in collaboration with the National Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Tajikistan, funded by the Government of Switzerland and implemented through the project “Adaptive and Resilient Communities in their Habitat (ARCH)”. ARCH is a joint initiative of the AKAH and a prolonged partnership with the Government of Tajikistan and the Government of Switzerland.

The conference will be held on 21-27 September 2023 in Dushanbe, Tajikistan including a field visit to Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Oblast (GBAO) region. The conference will provide an opportunity for international partners to present their works, studies and lessons on debris flow along with serving as a platform to advocate for drawing attention to the risk emanation and mitigation of the risks associated with debris flow. The Participants will be informed about the critical cases of debris flow and the preventative mitigation measures taken, the risk awareness policies applied for communities and the risk-informed planning in accordance with the cross-sectorial climate resilience framework applied by the government and relevant partners. Additionally, the conference will create an enabling environment for the exchange of ideas and knowledge transfer among scientists, practitioners, and policymakers; and will promote scientific advancement of Debris-Flow hazards, mitigation measures and responses. Along with building awareness about the hazards and their scientific and technological management, ICDF will contribute to forming and promoting partnerships and networking within the pool of experts – participants.