Based on the discussion about bilateral cooperation for erosion and sediment control in the "Third Japan-Switzerland Joint Committee on Science and Technology Cooperation," which took place in December 2014, the conference was first held for two days on May 27 and 28, 2016.

On May 27, a technical meeting, attended by about 40 people, was held at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich.

After the keynote speeches from the representatives of both countries, the two countries agreed and signed on the minutes of the conference to further promote engineering exchange through workshops and conferences.

Nine participants from Japan and Switzerland made presentations about the technology to monitor and observe sediment discharge and landslides, disaster cases and measures, hazard maps and land usage restrictions, followed by active opinion exchanges. The participants then visited the hydraulic test facility of the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology.

On May 28, the participants visited the facilities for erosion and sediment control along the Engelberger River in the canton of Nidwalden. The facilities were full of unique ideas suitable for each area including flow control to protect the town. They exchanged opinions about how risk prevention against landslide disasters can be promoted.