The 5th Workshop of Asian Young Geographers Successfully Held in Guangzhou, China
The 5th Workshop of Asian Young Geographers Successfully Held in Guangzhou, China
The 5th Workshop of Asian Young Geographers was held at South China Normal University (SCNU), Guangzhou, China, from 5 to 7 June 2026. Co-organized by the Asian Geographical Association Young Geographer Working Group (AGA-YGWG), the Working Committee for Young Geographers of the Geographical Society of China, the IGU Commission for Young and Early Career Geographers, and South China Normal University, the workshop brought together more than 400 scholars from over 20 countries and regions worldwide.
Under the theme “Innovating Asia, Reshaping the World,” the workshop provided an important platform for young geographers to share research findings, strengthen academic networks, and discuss geography’s role in responding to global change, regional transformation, technological innovation, and sustainable development.
The opening ceremony was held on 6 June and chaired by Prof. Liu Yungang, Dean of the School of Geography, SCNU. Welcome addresses were delivered by Mr. Wang Hengyin, Chair of the University Council of SCNU, Prof. Suresh Chand Rai, Vice President of AGA，Prof. Nathalie Lemarchand, President of the IGU, Prof. Chen Fahu, Executive President of the GSC, and Prof. Chen Min, Chair of AGA-YGWG.
Mr. Wang welcomed the participants and thanked the organizers, staff, and volunteers for their contributions. He highlighted SCNU’s academic tradition and the School of Geography’s long history dating back to 1933. Prof. Suresh Chand Rai emphasized that environmental, socio-economic, and technological transitions are reshaping relations between Asia and the world, and noted that geography can help build a more resilient, just, and sustainable future.
Address by Prof. Nathalie Lemarchand at the opening ceremony
Address by Prof. Suresh Chand Rai, Vice President of the AGA
Address by Chen Min, Chair of AGA-YGWG
Nine keynote lectures were delivered during the workshop. On 6 June, Prof. Chen Fahu, Prof. Nathalie Lemarchand, Prof. Li Xin, and Prof. Chris Gibson spoke on early modern humans in East Asia and adaptation on the Tibetan Plateau; the reinvention of geography; multi-agent reinforcement learning for adaptive governance; and maritime ports in shifting energy geographies. On 7 June, Prof. Liu Yungang, Prof. Michael Meadows, Prof. James Sidaway, Prof. SooJin Park, and Prof. Prem Sagar Chapagain delivered keynote lectures on political geography, ecological restoration, financial geography, spatial sustainability in Korea, and geographical research and teaching in Nepal. Prof. Pannee Cheewinsiriwat introduced the 7th Asian Conference on Geography, to be held in July 2027 in Bangkok.
Keynote lecture by Executive President of Geographical Society of China Prof. Fahu Chen
Keynote lecture by President of Korean Geographical Society Prof. SooJin Park
Keynote lecture by President of Nepal Geographical Society Prof. Prem Sagar Chapagain
Presentation of the 7th Asian Conference on Geography by President of Geographical Association of Thailand Prof. Pannee Cheewinsiriwat
From 6 to 7 June, the workshop organized 22 parallel sessions and 178 academic presentations. Topics included Belt and Road urban heritage and renewal, water challenges across Asia, urban resilience, climate change, population mobility, rural revitalization, spatial planning, ecosystem services, coastal ecological security, geography education, China-ASEAN blue economy development, energy geography, Asian human geographies, smart and sustainable urban development, and investments and special economic zones along the Belt and Road Initiative.
Parallel Sessions
The closing ceremony was held on 7 June and chaired by Prof. He Li, Secretary of AGA-YGWG. Prof. Chen Min reviewed the workshop's achievements, thanked SCNU, the local organizing team, and nearly 100 student volunteers, and invited young geographers worldwide to join AGA-YGWG. He also announced that proposals for hosting the 6th Asian Young Geographers Workshop are now open. 9 papers were selected for the Excellent Paper Award from over 30 full paper submissions. Prof. Nathalie Lemarchand and Prof. Suresh Chand Rai presented certificates to the awardees. Prof. Liu Yungang congratulated the winners and thanked all participants, organizers, volunteers, and supporting institutions.
Excellent Paper Awarding Ceremony
The workshop demonstrated the vitality, creativity, and international vision of young geographers. It further strengthened academic exchanges across Asia and beyond and reaffirmed AGA's important role in supporting young scholars, advancing geographical knowledge, and fostering collaboration for a more sustainable future.
Provided by Geographical Society of China & South China Normal University
