Dear Colleagues,

It is my great happiness to inform you that The 16th Asian Regional Conference on Soil Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering (16ARC) will be held on October 14-18 in 2019 in Taipei International Convention Center (TICC), Taipei, Taiwan. The main theme of the 16ARC is Geotechnique for Sustainable Development and Emerging Market Regions. A number of subjects on modern geotechnical technologies and activities will be covered up to match up the main theme. In a roll of 60 years, we sincerely hope that the 16ARC will continue to bring great success following the glories of past ARCs (New Delhi 1960, Tokyo 1963, Haifa 1967, Bangkok 1971, Banglore 1975, Singapore 1979, Haifa 1983, Kyoto 1987, Bangkok 1991, Beijing 1995, Seoul 1999, Singapore 2003, Kolkata 2007, Hong Kong 2011, Fukuoka 2015).

As the President of Chinese Taipei Geotechnical Society (CTGS), the host of 16ARC and the Chairman of the Organizing Committee, I cordially welcome your participations and kind supports at this coming event in 2019. To provide you with more information of 16ARC, besides the conference’s website (www.16arc.org), two Bulletin will be disseminated before the collections of technical papers. The 1st Bulletin will be issued in December 2016 with general information of the conference. The 2nd Bulletin will be issued in July 2017 with the announcements of call-for-paper mainly through Asian member societies of ISSMGE and invitations on ATC/TC Sessions. As to the technical programs, social events, and other available information of the conference, please visit conference website, we will keep it updated as the time to come.

Taiwan, the hosting country, locates in the geographical center of East Asia. With frequent flights, it is conveniently reached from most of the Asian cities. During the conference, all the guests can experience some of the finest Chinese cuisine, bustling nightlife (24-hour convenient stores, Internet cafes, restaurants, bars and night markets), efficient transportation that brings visitors exploring the beauty of nature within a short time. Taiwan is one of the safest country to visit. Taiwanese are friendly, kind-hearted and helpful. Taiwanese are always ready to welcome you with great hospitality. In the end, with our open arms and warmest regards, it would be our pleasure to welcome you to experience this great event and enjoy the dynamics of Taiwan.

Chang-Yu Ou, Ph.D.
Chairman, Organizing Committee of 16ARC
President of Chinese Taipei Geotechnical Society