Prof. Maki Kawai, Executive Director of RIKEN, Japan was invited by the organizer of NAC 2012 (National Science and Technology Development Agency Annual Conference 2012) and NANOTEC to give a special talk on “Role of S&T in Natural Disaster Mitigation and Recovery” at Thailand Science Park. 

“The catastrophic events that occurred in Japan and Thailand last year have deepened our belief in the significance of natural disaster mitigation initiatives and alert us to the importance and urgency of applying S&T to natural disaster mitigation” said Prof. Maki. “I would like to echo the statement made by Louis Pasteur that science has no borders, but scientists have their own fatherland. For this reason, the scientific community should vigorously carry out research in natural disaster relief through scientific and technological mean which will minimize the damage cause by natural disaster through innovation”.

 In addition to the special talk, the organizers held a panel discussion on “Thailand Experience in Mega-Flood 2011”. Moderator for the discussion was Prof. Sirirurg Songsivilai, Executive Director NANOTEC. Panelist included Dr. Royon Chitradon, Director of Hydro and Agro Informatics Institute, and Dr. Nares Damrongchai, Executive Director, APEC Center for Technology Foresight.

 NAC 2012 “S&T Knowledge: key to Effective Disaster Response” will official open its door to the public from March 26-28. NAC 2012 will feature both scientific seminars and research based exhibition focusing on innovation for natural disaster mitigation.