On November 11, 2023, the 5th Academic Committee Meeting and Annual Conference of the Key Laboratory of Western China's Ministry of Education for Environmental Development, Lanzhou University, was held at Room 502, Qilian Hall, West Campus, Lanzhou University. The meeting was attended by 70 people, including academicians Chen Fahu from the Institute of Tibetan Plateau Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences; Fu Bojie from the Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences; Professor Cheng Hai from Xi'an Jiaotong University; Researcher Fang Xiaomin from the Institute of Tibetan Plateau Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences; Professor Li Xin; Researcher Fang Chuanglin from the Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences; Professor Liu Hongyan from Peking University; Researcher Liu Yu from the Institute of Earth Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences; Professor Lu Huoyuan from Nanjing University; and Researcher Yang Dawen from the Institute of Geology and Geophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences. Invited guests included Professor Wang Yongjin from Nanjing Normal University, Researcher Qie Xiushu from the Institute of Atmospheric Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, and Researcher Hou Juzhi from the Institute of Tibetan Plateau Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences. Lanzhou University's Vice President Pan Baotian; Wang Qiang, Director of the Laboratory and Equipment Management Office; Li Xingye, Director of the Discipline Construction and Development Planning Office; Shen Zhenghu, Minister of Human Resources; An Xian, Deputy Dean of the Institute of Science and Technology Development, and leaders from the College of Earth and Environmental Sciences, including Secretary Shi Zhaojun, Dean Li Yu, and Associate Dean Geng Haopeng, were also present.

Figure 1: Group photo of meeting representatives

Vice President Pan Baotian delivered the opening speech, briefly reviewing the achievements of the laboratory in the past year. He extended a warm welcome and sincere gratitude to the members of the 5th Academic Committee, expressing the hope for continued support towards the laboratory's higher development. Deputy Dean An Xian read the notice of the 5th Academic Committee's member record, and Vice President Pan Baotian presented appointment certificates to the committee members. Subsequently, Professor Gou Xiaohua, the laboratory's director, delivered the annual work report, highlighting progress in scientific research, social services, team building, talent cultivation, open exchanges, and operations. He also outlined the current challenges and difficulties faced by the laboratory. Academician Chen Fahu announced the winners of the "Western Environmental Award" and, together with Professor Gou Xiaohua, presented awards to the winning faculty and students.

Figure 2: Committee members in discussion

During the conference, young backbone members of the laboratory, including Professor Cao Bo and researchers Li Yu, Huang Xiaozhong, Zhang Baoqing, and Miao Cuicui, reported on the progress of their respective teams, showcasing the laboratory's achievements in research areas such as climate change and environmental survival, hydrological processes and regulation, ecological responses, and regional development. Participating experts provided in-depth reviews of the reports, pointing out shortcomings and offering suggestions for improvement.

Figure 3: Laboratory members presenting academic reports

Finally, Academician Chen Fahu chaired the second meeting of the 5th Academic Committee. Committee members engaged in profound discussions regarding the director's work report, research progress report, and the laboratory's development direction. The members highly affirmed the laboratory's annual achievements, providing constructive opinions and suggestions on the laboratory's development direction, talent team construction, discipline development, local demand services, and platform construction. The laboratory was encouraged to continue adhering to the characteristics of arid environmental research, leveraging traditional research advantages, bridging the past and present, and staying attuned to international research trends and national demand changes. The laboratory was urged to seize the opportunity of national key laboratory construction, further refine its development direction, clarify its positioning, enhance its construction platform, and serve national needs. Director Gou Xiaohua expressed gratitude for the guidance and suggestions from the committee members. He assured that plans would be made to systematically advance and improve the laboratory in response to the areas of improvement mentioned by the members, enhancing the overall level of laboratory construction.