It is the IRDR IPO’s great pleasure to congratulate Prof. Guo and CEODE on this most special occasion. When International Council for Science, the International Social Science Council and the U.N. International Strategy for Disaster Reduction created IRDR they chose CEODE through international selection to host the IPO. CEODE’s role in the Wenchuan Earthquake and other disasters since are further examples of excellence in research, leadership, and integration. Being hosted at CEODE allows IRDR to be on the cutting edge of disaster research in China. Through partnership and collaboration with CEODE, IRDR is undertaking scientific analysis to put in place long-term projects in support of the IRDR research objectives and overall vision, while contributing to the fundamental explanations for the current rise in disaster losses. This collaboration has allowed for the formation of IRDR China that will assist in IRDR implementation. This partnership will provide methods and means to coordinate various ministries and research institutes regarding the research resources, scientific forces, major national disaster mitigation projects around China for the benefit of all Chinese people. This ambitious undertaking would not have been possible without the hard work and assistance of Prof. Guo and all of CEODE.