lt is my great pleasure and honour to welcome you to Kyoto for the 24'" ICOLD Congress & 80'" Annual Meeting. I would like to take this　opportunity to introduce the attractions of our city.

The city of Kyoto was the ancient capital of Japan and is renowned worldwide as being the historical and cultural heart of the country. The countless number of shrines, temples, and architectural masterpieces that include fourteen UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Sites reflect the legacy of the many ancient Japanese traditions that originated here.

These traditions each stem from Kyoto's culture of innovation and today the city thrives as centre of academic research and technological advances -it boasts thirty-seven institutions of higher learning within the city limits and the world headquarters of leaders in electronics, clothing and high-tech ceramics.

I sincerely believe that Kyoto offers an excellent and attractive venue for your meeting. You will find simple access via Kansai International Airport and once here the extensive city subway system provides a convenient way to travel from the congress to hotels and sightseeing spots. The conference centre itself was stage to The Third Conference of the Parties (COP3) where the Kyoto Protocol was adopted in 1997. It boasts half a century of serving the world's most prestigious meetings.

On behalf of all the citizens I invite you to experience Kyoto where traditional and modem Japanese culture flourish in harmony. We look forward to the success of the 24'" ICOLD Congress & 80'" Annual Meeting.

 

 

Daisaku Kadokawa
Mayor of Kyoto City