Message from the President of the International Association for Cold Regions Development Studies

Dr. Riitta Kamula
President, International Association for Cold Regions Development Studies
The University of Oulu, Finland

The 14th ISCORD 2026 conference returns to Sapporo, Japan, the city where the first-ever International Cold Regions conference took place in 1983. This triennial conference series has proven to be both useful and important for those of us living in cold regions.

I welcome you to join the 14th ISCORD in Sapporo, Japan, and to take full advantage of the discussions on cold regions research and development with colleagues from around the globe!

My journey with ISCORD conferences started in 1994 in Helsinki, Finland. I was deeply impressed by the wide variety of themes covered in the conference, all related to cold regions. It gave me a broad perspective on the unique aspects of living and well-being in cold environments. It has influenced not only my research and university teaching career, but also how I observe the world around me—whether in new places or familiar surroundings.


Message from the Chairman of the Organizing Committee

Kou Hashimoto
Chairman, ISCORD 2026 Organizing Committee
Director General, Hokkaido Development Engineering Center

On behalf of the Organizing Committee of the 14th International Symposium on Cold Regions Development (ISCORD), I am honored to host ISCORD 2026 in Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan.

ISCORD launched in 1983 in Sapporo. Flowingly, it has been held in various countries including China, Canada, Finland, USA, Australia, again in Sapporo in 2004. 22 years have passed since then, ISCORD is coming back to Sapporo in 2026.

At present, we are facing global challenges including climate change, demographic shifts, and resource constraints. Considering such circumstances, ISCORD 2026 has adopted the theme:
“Building a Sustainable Future for the Cold Regions: Next Generation Innovations.”, ISCORD 2026 will be an optimum opportunity to reexamine how science, technology, and practical solutions could be applied to support sustainable development in cold regions.

Hokkaido is one of typical cold regions in the world. Over the years, it has cultivated technologies and expertise under harsh natural conditions, achieving unique progress across various fields. This symposium will explore pathways to innovation through the convergence of these local insights with cutting-edge knowledge from around the world.

During the conference, we are pleased to offer a diverse and forward-looking program, including keynote lectures, research presentations, and technical tours—developed in collaboration with the next generation of scholars and practitioners. It is our sincere hope that ISCORD will serve not only as an academic forum, but also as a starting point for shaping a shared vision of the future in cold-region development.

We warmly welcome your participation and look forward to seeing you in beautiful early summer Sapporo in 2026.


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