In preparation for the successful implementation of the 18th Aceh International Workshop and Expo on Sustainable Disaster Recovery (AIWEST-DR) 2026, which will be held on 22–24 July 2026 in Bangkok, Thailand (hybrid format), the organizing committee convened a coordination meeting to review technical progress, strengthen information systems, and develop strategies to enhance global participation.
AIWEST-DR 2026 carries the theme “Resilience by Design: Systems for Sustainable Recovery,” emphasizing the importance of a systemic approach in building long-term disaster resilience. The conference serves as a collaborative platform for academics, practitioners, policymakers, and development partners to exchange knowledge and share best practices in disaster risk reduction and sustainable recovery. The conference is chaired by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Natt Leelawat (Chulalongkorn University, Thailand), with Prof. Dr. Syamsidik (Universitas Syiah Kuala, Indonesia) serving as Co-Chair, reflects strong international collaboration between Thailand and Indonesia in advancing disaster resilience initiatives.
During the coordination meeting, several strategic issues were discussed. Key among them was updating the tentative schedule, including keynote speakers and the overall conference agenda, to ensure alignment within the hybrid international conference format. Ensuring the schedule’s coherence and clarity is essential to maintaining effective coordination and delivering reliable information to participants.
AIWEST-DR 2026 will feature an outstanding lineup of distinguished keynote speakers from leading institutions across Asia, Europe, and beyond. Confirmed speakers include:
- Dr. Bhichit Rattakul
Thai Network for Disaster Resilience, Thailand - Prof. Dr. Pennung Warnitchai
Earthquake Research Center of Thailand, Thailand - Prof. Dr. Shunichi Koshimura
Tohoku University, Japan - Prof. Dr. Adam D. Switzer
Nanyang Technological University, Singapore - Prof. Dr. Syamsidik
Universitas Syiah Kuala, Indonesia - Prof. Dr. Anat Ruangrassamee
Chulalongkorn University, Thailand - Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tavida Kamolvej
Bangkok Metropolitan Administration, Thailand - Assoc. Prof. Dr. Anawat Suppasri
Tohoku University, Japan - Assoc. Prof. Dr. Giorgia Giardina
TU Delft, Netherlands - Prof. Dr. CHEN Jianguo (TBC)
Tsinghua University, China - Assoc. Prof. Dr. Han Yang (TBC)
Tianjin University, China
From a communications and outreach perspective, the organizing committee has updated the official promotional materials, including the conference poster, which now reflects the extended abstract submission deadline: 30 April 2026. Abstracts can be submitted via the following link:
👉 https://aiwest-dr.usk.ac.id/submission
AIWEST-DR 2026 welcomes interdisciplinary contributions in disaster risk reduction and sustainable recovery, including:
- Hazard mitigation and impact assessment
- Community resilience, disaster education, and human security
- Urban planning, reconstruction, and recovery
- Socio-cultural dimensions of disasters
- Coastal resilience and sustainable systems
- Disaster risk financing and insurance
- Health, pandemic risk, and emergency response
- Business continuity and evacuation management
- Cyclone Senyar 2025 – impacts and lessons learned
As part of the progress update, the Tsunami and Disaster Mitigation Research Center (TDMRC) at Universitas Syiah Kuala reported that 66 abstracts have been submitted to date. Submissions have been received from a diverse range of countries, including Indonesia, Japan, Thailand, Malaysia, Bangladesh, India, Sri Lanka, the Philippines, China, Zimbabwe, the United Kingdom, France, the United States, Australia, Taiwan, Singapore, and Pakistan. This early response reflects strong international interest and engagement in the conference.
Global distribution of submissions from the AIWEST-DR Abstract and Full Paper Submission System
Through this ongoing coordination, AIWEST-DR 2026 is expected to be delivered effectively, not only as an academic forum but also as a strategic platform that bridges research, policy, and practice to advance inclusive and sustainable disaster resilience globally.
🌐 Visit the official website:
https://aiwest-dr2026.eng.chula.ac.th/
📩 For inquiries:
aiwest-dr@usk.ac.id
