The World Conference of the Associated Research Centers for the Urban Underground Space (ACUUS) is an international academic event held every two years in the field of international underground space. The 18th World Conference of the Associated Research Centers for the Urban Underground Space (ACUUS 2023) will be held from 1 to 4 November 2023 in Singapore, with ACUUS members from 24 countries or regions. The conference also included the 2nd Congress on Exploration and Utilisation of Underground Space (EUUS 2023).ACUUS 2023 was organised by the Singapore Society of Rock Mechanics and Engineering Geology (SRMEG), in collaboration with Nanyang Technological University, Singapore and China University of Mining and Technology.

Academician Chen Xiangsheng, President of our academy, led a delegation to attend the conference. As the invited keynote speaker, Academician Chen Xiangsheng, on behalf of China, gave a keynote speech entitled "State-of-the-art: Development of Urban Rail Transit in Mainland China". He introduced the development of urban rail transit in Mainland China and the breakthrough research results achieved by his team. The presentation suggested that urban rail transit has evolved from infrastructure-oriented transport to multifunctional and sustainable urban development, and made leading suggestions for exploring the high-quality development of urban underground space.

Dr Jun Shen, Associate Researcher of our institute, gave a presentation on "Key Technologies for the Safe Construction of Underwater Super Large Diameter Shield Tunnels: A Case Study" in the main conference hall. "The report of the research team was based on the national major project Zhuhai. He reported the results of the research team based on the national major project Zhuhai Cross Gate Tunnel. After the meeting, the related application technology attracted the discussion of Singapore Land Transport Authority. Dr Zhang Ruixiang gave a presentation on "Effect of Existing Tunnel on the Evolution of Soil Arching Effect".

The delegation had full academic exchanges and experience sharing with the attending experts at the 18th World Congress of Joint Research Centre for Urban Underground Space, and demonstrated the academic achievements and scientific research results of the Institute at the Congress, which was widely praised by the attending experts. During the meeting, Academician Chen Xiangsheng also discussed with Mr Arnold Dix, President of the International Tunneling Associate (ITA), about the holding of the World Tunnel Congress in Shenzhen in 2024.