The 17th Asian Regional Conference on Soil Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering, Kazakhstan

For the first time in 60 years, the Asian Regional Conference on Geotechnics was held in Central Asia and the Commonwealth of Independent States of post-soviet countries. This significant event marks a historical shift in conference venues and symbolizes a crucial reunification and collaboration among the scientific and engineering communities in this region. In Asian Council Meeting hold in the 16th Asian regional conference in Taipei, Taiwan in October, 2016, it is really appreciated that the Kazakhstan Geotechnical Society (hereinafter called “KGS”) had received many supports from delegates of many member societies of ISSMGE and was awarded the right of hosting to organize 17th Asian regional conference (hereinafter called “17ARC”).
After being awarded the right to host the conference, concerns arose due to the global COVID-19 pandemic situation, making it challenging to gather participants. Nevertheless, the 17th Asian Regional Conference on Soil Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering was successfully held in Astana, Kazakhstan, from August 14 to 18, 2023. The conference, organized by the KGS (ISSMGE), brought together 636 researchers and academics in the field of soil mechanics from 58 countries. The main theme of the 17ARC was “Smart Geotechnics for Smart Societies”. As societies worldwide grapple with urbanization, environmental sustainability, and the ever-increasing demands
for infrastructure development, the role of geotechnics becomes increasingly pivotal. Geotechnical engineering supports the safe construction of buildings, bridges, and transportation networks and plays a central role in mitigating natural disasters and preserving the environment. Therefore, the theme of the 17ARC, "Smart Geotechnics for Smart Societies", underscores the critical importance of applying cutting-edge technologies and innovative approaches to tackle these multifaceted challenges. 

17ARC_ISSMGE.pdf