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	  News in 2025
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	FIG’s Impactful Voices Heard at UN-GGIM in New York
		4-8 August 2025, New York, USA 
		
		 FIG’s 
		strategic presence and community engagement at 15th session of the UN 
		Committee of Experts on Global Geospatial Information Management 
		(UN-GGIM)
FIG’s 
		strategic presence and community engagement at 15th session of the UN 
		Committee of Experts on Global Geospatial Information Management 
		(UN-GGIM)
		 
		
				 Report by FIG President Dr. Diane A. Dumashie from 
		the UN Headquarters, New York (pictured on the right)
Report by FIG President Dr. Diane A. Dumashie from 
		the UN Headquarters, New York (pictured on the right)
		
		 
		 
		Content: 
		
			 
		From 4 to 8 August 2025, FIG President Dr. Diane Dumashie 
			participated in the 15th session of the United Nations Committee of 
			Experts on Global Geospatial Information Management (UN GGIM), held 
			at the United Nations Headquarters in New York. This pivotal annual 
			gathering convened over 330 representatives, delegates, and 
			observers from member states, international organizations, and civil 
			society, reaffirming the global commitment to advancing geospatial 
			information for sustainable development.
		The UN Committee of Experts, a subsidiary body of the UN Economic and 
		Social Council (ECOSOC), is tasked with guiding international 
		cooperation on geospatial information, land administration, geography, 
		and related domains. Its mandate is to strengthen the global geospatial 
		ecosystem and ensure its continued relevance and benefit to all member 
		states.
		
			
		
		The session underscored the value of FIG’s engagement with the 
		UN-GGIM community. It is always striking to see so many of the FIG 
		community joining the relationship-dots between our professional 
		expertise and the wider nation state led UN GGIM community. 
		It was particularly inspiring to witness the convergence of FIG 
		professionals and national representatives who actively contribute to 
		both communities. Notable examples include Mikael Lilje, Sweden (FIG Honorary Member), Paula Dijkstra, the 
		Netherlands (FIG Chair, Agenda 2030 Task Force), as well as 
		nation states representatives from South Africa and
		Norway, who, as members of local organising committees, 
		are contributing to upcoming FIG conferences in 2026 and 2027 
		respectively. Their dual roles enrich FIG’s global dialogue and amplify 
		the federation’s impact.
	
  
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            Clinton Heiman, Director General, South Africa   | 
            
            Kåre Kyrkjeeide,
			Kartverket , Norway with FIG President Dr. Diane 
			Dumashie  | 
	
		
		
Dialogue through impactful conversations is important. It is the most 
		basic social agreement to collaborate and cooperate. Crucially, the UN 
		Committee of Experts provides a forum for coordination and dialogue with 
		and among member states and relevant international organizations. FIG’s 
		recognized status as an UN-accredited non-governmental organization 
		enables it to participate meaningfully in UN GGIM deliberations. This 
		relationship is built on mutual respect, shared goals, and a commitment 
		to collaborative dialogue - an essential foundation for global 
		cooperation. 
		FIG’s conversations throughout the week were framed around providing: 
		
			- Insights to the UN Committee of Experts members, 
- contributions in the Centres of Excellence, 
- and to build consensus with our partners. 
		
		
		
		The 15th session spanned over three days, focusing on a comprehensive 
		agenda, that has clear synergies with FIG four-year term work plan. The 
		UN Committee of Experts deliberated on its work items:
		
			- To the achievement of the SDGs, 
- To the implementation of adopted global geospatial framework, the UN 
		IGIF in particular (see photo below) and to strengthen and ensure its 
		continued effectiveness and benefits to all member states.
In addition: 
		
			- To addressing emerging and critical issues including the future 
		geospatial information ecosystem, climate environment and resilience and 
		legal and regulatory issues related to emerging technologies. 
 
		
		
		Schematic of the adopted the UN Integrated 
		Geospatial Information Framework (IGIF)  
		 
		The opportunity to hold impactful conversations is clear as this 
		agenda aligns very well to the FIG 4-year work plan and current 
		activities across FIG commissions, task forces and networks. 
		Over the course of the session, substantive agenda items were 
		deliberated by nation states. NGO observers, including FIG, are given 
		opportunities to contribute if time allows. FIG President Dr. 
		Diane Dumashie, Ryan Keenan (Chair,
		FIG 
		Commission 5 and member of Sub Committee on Geodesy), and 
		Rosario Casanova (incoming Chair,
		FIG 
		Commission 2), delivered 
		targeted interventions on the following agenda items:
		
			- Agenda item no. 4: Contribution of Regional Committees to the 
			global geospatial information agenda. 
- Agenda item no. 5: Contribution of thematic networks to the 
			global geospatial information agenda.
- Agenda item no. 8: Global Geodetic Reference Frame (GGRF).
- Agenda item no. 9: Geospatial Information for Sustainable 
			Development SDGs. 
- Agenda item no. 10: Geospatial Information for Climate and 
			resilience. 
- Agenda item no. 12: Effective Land Administration and Management 
			(FELA). 
- Agenda item no. 15: Implementation and adoption of standards for 
			the global geospatial information community. 
These statements reflected FIG’s technical expertise and strategic 
		insights. For example the support given to the Netherlands' proposal for 
		a ‘Land Hub for Land Administration’ embedded into the emerging UN 
		Global Geospatial Ecosystem Centre of Excellence (UN-GGEC) based in 
		Riyadh, Saudi Arabia (see 2nd section below). 
		Special thanks are given to contributors from chairs who provided 
		content for FIG interventions, including Ryan Keenan, Paula 
		Dijkstra, Clarissa Augustinus, David Martin, Dan Roman, Rosario Casanova. 
		Along with thanks to all the hard work undertaken by FIG commissions, 
		individuals and FIG RCD networks chairs operating in the Asia 
		Pacific, Americas and African regions.
		 
			
			
		The importance of the two (soon to be three) UN-GGIM Centres of 
		Excellence appears as a growing strength to the work of The UN Committee 
		of Experts. These centres play a vital role in building global capacity, 
		fostering innovation, and supporting the implementation of the UN-IGIF.
		FIG maintains strong relationships with these institutions, both through 
		member contributions and collaborative knowledge exchange during FIG 
		Working Weeks. 
		Namely:
		
		1. UN Global 
		Geodetic Centre of Excellence (UN-GGCE) in Bonn, Germany: Led by 
		Nick Brown, the UN-GGCE supports 
		the development of a globally coordinated geodetic infrastructure. Its 
		work is foundational to the GGRF and aligns with FIG’s geodetic 
		priorities. Mr. Brown notably presented at the 
		FIG Working Week 2024 in Accra, 
		Ghana.
	
  
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            UN-GGIM Centres of Excellenc in Bonn, Germany  | 
            
            UN-GGIM Centres of Excellence in Deqing, China  | 
	
		
2. UN Global Geospatial 
		Knowledge and Innovation Centre (UN-GGKIC) in Deqing, China: Under 
		the leadership of Dr. Li Pende, the centre focuses on 
		expanding geospatial capacity and competence worldwide. It plays a 
		central role in operationalizing of the United Nations Integrated 
		Geospatial Information Framework (UN-IGIF). Dr. Li prominently featured 
		the centre at Plenary of the FIG 
		Working Week 2025 in Brisbane, Australia.
		
		 3. 
		The 3rd and emerging UN Global Geospatial Ecosystem Centre of Excellence 
		(UN-GGEC) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia: H.E. Dr. Eng. Mohammed 
		Alsayel (President, General Authority for Survey and Geospatial 
		Information, Co-Chair UN-GGIM) discussed the focus of the UN-GGEC with 
		FIG President Dr. Diane Dumashie (picture on the right). To enhance the 
		global partnership toward the future environment for managing geospatial 
		information and aims to integrate geospatial data with digital 
		transformation technologies such as AI, digital twins, and IoT (Internet 
		of Things). Its mission is to shape a sustainable future geospatial 
		environment through innovation and strategic foresight.
3. 
		The 3rd and emerging UN Global Geospatial Ecosystem Centre of Excellence 
		(UN-GGEC) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia: H.E. Dr. Eng. Mohammed 
		Alsayel (President, General Authority for Survey and Geospatial 
		Information, Co-Chair UN-GGIM) discussed the focus of the UN-GGEC with 
		FIG President Dr. Diane Dumashie (picture on the right). To enhance the 
		global partnership toward the future environment for managing geospatial 
		information and aims to integrate geospatial data with digital 
		transformation technologies such as AI, digital twins, and IoT (Internet 
		of Things). Its mission is to shape a sustainable future geospatial 
		environment through innovation and strategic foresight.
		FIG’s engagement with these centres is both strategic and 
		operational. FIG Vice President Professor Qin Yan and
		FIG 
		Commission 5 Chair Ryan Keenan actively contribute 
		respectively to UN-GGKIC and UN-GGCE, while Zaffar 
		Mohamed-Ghouse (FIG 
		Commission 8) and Abbas Rajabifard (Chair,
		
		FIG Geospatial Task Force) collaborate closely with the UN-GGEC.
		 
			
			
		The four UN-GGIM Thematic Networks exemplify the spirit of 
		collaboration across international organizations, including networks: 
		Geospatial Societies, United Nations System Network academia, and the 
		private sector. 
		FIG is a member of the UN-GGIM Geospatial Societies Network, a collation 
		of international recognised organisations involved in coordinating, 
		developing, managing and standardising geospatial information, as well 
		as other related matters.
		
		This network operates under a rotating chairmanship, with FIG having 
		served from 2020 to 2022. Following the 15th session, the chair 
		transitioned to Prof. Dr. Shaik Mohamed Zaffar Sadiq Mohamed 
		Ghouse (ISDE), 
		succeeding Prof. Céline Rozenblat (IGU), 
		whose leadership over the past term was warmly acknowledged.
		The network convenes formally during the annual UN-GGIM session and 
		seeks to engage informally throughout the year. It has the potential to 
		serve as a vital conduit for consensus-building and knowledge exchange 
		among geospatial societies. Further information on the on the network’s 
		activities and membership can be found on the FIG-hosted
		UN-GGIM website.
		 
		
		
		
		 
		
		FIG’s participation in the 15th UN-GGIM session reaffirmed its 
		commitment to global cooperation, technical excellence, and inclusive 
		dialogue. FIG contributions through formal interventions, strategic 
		partnerships, and collaborative networks demonstrate its contribution to 
		shape the future of geospatial information management.
		As the global community increasingly turns to data-driven solutions for 
		sustainable development, climate resilience, and digital transformation, 
		FIG remains a trusted partner and thought leader. The relationships 
		nurtured during this session, across member states, Centres of 
		Excellence, and geospatial societies will continue to inform and inspire 
		FIG’s work in the years ahead.
		Dr. Dumashie’s presence at the UN Headquarters symbolized not only FIG’s 
		institutional engagement but also its enduring mission: to empower 
		professionals, foster innovation, and ensure that geospatial knowledge 
		serves the needs of all communities; leaving no one behind.
		
		Click here for more information on the UN-GGIM 15th session August 
		2025. 
			
			 
		
		The next and 16th annual session of the UN Committee of Experts will 
		take place in New York August 2026. Meanwhile, the immediate next 
		meetings are:
		
			- 7–9 October 2025 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia: 3rd in-person expert 
			meeting of the Working Group on Policy and Legal Frameworks on 
			Geospatial Information Management, seeking to address issues 
			related to authoritative and reliable geospatial data and emergent 
			technologies. Hosted by UN Global Geospatial Ecosystem Centre of 
			Excellence (UN-GGEC). 
- 17 November 2025 in Accra, Ghana: UN-GGIM Africa Summit.
			
FIG members will be active participants in both. 
			
			 
		Picture gallery 
	
  
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            Paula Dijkstra, the Netherlands, FIG Chair of 
			Agenda 2030 Task Force  |  | 
		
		
		
		
			Ryan Keenan, Australia, Chair of
			
FIG 
			Commission 5 and member of Sub Committee on Geodesy, speaking at 
			the UN-GGIM 15th session
 
		 
		 
		
			Mikael Lilje, Sweden, FIG Vice President 2020-2024, 
			speaking at the UN-GGIM 15th session 
		 
			
		
		FIG President Dr. D. A. Dumashie, RICS (Royal Institution of Chartered 
		Surveyors) 		
		Published
		7 October 2025