Global Geospatial Information Management
(GGIM)
A UN-DESA Initiative
in collaboration with
Cartographic Section, DFS
Stefan Schweinfest
UNSD
Overview
 Current UN Geospatial Activities
 Why GGIM Mechanism ?
 ECOSOC Proposal
 UN Committee on GGIM
 High Level Forum on GGIM
 UNGEGN and GGIM
 GGIM Website
Current UN Geospatial Activities
• UN Regional Cartographic Conference for Asia and the
Pacific (UNRCC – AP) and PCGIAP
 Convened every three years; 18 conferences since 1955
• UN Regional Cartographic Conference for the Americas
(UNRCC – Americas) and PC-IDEA
 Convened every four years; 9 Conferences since 1976
• ECA Committee on Development Information Science
and Technology (CODIST)
 From 1963 until 1990s, nine UN regional cartographic conferences
 CODIST exists since 1999
• UN Group of Experts on Geographical Names
 Standardizing geographical names at the national and international
levels every 5 years and three UNGEGN sessions in 5 years
Need Global Mechanism
Why GGIM Mechanism ?
• Lack of global inter-governmental consultation
mechanism
• Regional/substantive fragmentation
• Various UN activities (UNSDI/UN Map/SALB) need intergovernmental support
• Global policy issues (climate change, natural disaster,
food and epidemic crisis, humanitarian assistance)
require strong support through geospatial information
• Assist Member States to build/exchange/transfer
capacity for the management of geospatial information
ECOSOC proposal
•
Foster and strengthen global cooperation in the area of
geospatial information management
•
Encourage stronger engagement by Member States, both
at technical and policy level
•
Establish the United Nations Committee of Experts on
Global Geospatial Information Management
•
Organize high level discussions through Global Fora on
Geospatial Information Management (Seoul, 24-26 October
2011)
•
Encourage transfer of knowledge and expertise to
develop capacity of the developing countries in this field
UN Committee on GGIM
Elements of the proposed terms of
reference:
• Leadership role for promoting development of GGIM
• Vehicle for coordination among Member States and between
Member States and various international actors
• Guide the development of principles, policies, methods and
mechanisms for standardization, interoperability and sharing
of geospatial data and services
• Ensure accessibility and effective use by broad range of
users
• Compile and disseminate best practices (institutional,
technical)
Forum on GGIM
First High Level Forum on Global Geospatial
Information Management,
(24-26 October 2011, Seoul, Republic of Korea):
• Provide an opportunity for discussion and exchange
among representatives of government,
international/regional organizations, NonGovernmental Organizations and the private sector.
UNGEGN – GGIM Relationship
• UNGEGN maintains its unique mandate
• Chair of UNGEGN participated in the Second
and Third GGIM Preparatory Meetings
• UNGEGN serves as ‘model’ for the Proposed
UN Committee on GGIM
• More visibility for UNGEGN work
GGIM
United Nations Initiative on
Global Geospatial Information Management
ABOUT GGIM
GEOSPATIAL INITIATIVES
There is general agreement by member states of an urgent need for an intergovernmental consultative mechanism that can play a leadership role in
setting the agenda for the development of global geospatial information and
to promote its use to address key global challenges; to liaise and coordinate
among Member States, and between Member States and international
organizations.
PARTNERS
Overview of the UN Initiative on Global Geospatial Information Management
(GGIM) Paper | Slides
MISSION STATEMENT
PARTNERS
PROJECTS
WITH MEMBER STATES
At the second preparatory meeting on Global Geographic Information
Management (GGIM), held in New York in May 2010, the participants deemed
necessary to develop clear terms of references including a definition of the
mission and objectives of the proposed committee of experts on GGIM. A
drafting Committee is in the process of elaboration of such document.
Comments are most welcome (Please send them to Laaribi@un.org).
NEWS
The draft will be discussed at the first meeting of the UN Committee of Experts
on GGIM.(GGIM)
Draft Mission Statement and Terms of Reference
ECOSOC DECISION
The Economic and Social Council, recalling resolution 7 of the 18th United
Nations Regional Cartographic Conference for Asia and the Pacific,1 in which
the Conference requested the Secretary-General to initiate discussions and
prepare a report, for a future session of the Council, on global coordination of
geographic information management, and recalling decision 41/110 of the
Statistical
UPCOMING UN EVENTS
GGIM
United Nations Initiative on
Global Geospatial Information Management
National Policies on Geospatial Information:
Spatial Data Infrastructure, Regulatory Practices, Information Management Issues
In response to the growing needs for timely and accurate geospatial information for national development, countries are building a
strong foundation for their geospatial infrastructure and regulatory framework. Creating a successful National Spatial Data
Infrastructure is a highly challenging management task, and the most important element lies, not at the technical level, but rather
in establishing effective coordination and infrastructure management in order to realise the full potential of geospatial information
and the underlying technology, and to make it accessible to and effectively used by a broad range of users. The role of the
government, as the regulator and programme implementer, is rapidly shifting from being a primary provider of authoritative
geospatial information to coordinating and managing geospatial data and facilitating partnerships among the producers and
consumers of geospatial information. As a result, many countries are developing national policies and practices that formalize the
ways in which their geospatial data can be shared, used, and disseminated. They are also considering legislation and regulatory
framework for protecting national security, confidentiality and citizen privacy rights, if they have not already done so.
Below are links to key documents and material available on the web, some of them provided by Member States regarding their
National Policies on Geospatial Information.
The section is meant to be populated by the national geospatial authorities of the countries to ensure that the information is an
authentic reflection of the national situation. Please send documents and links to ggim@un.org or frani@un.org
KEY DOCUMENTS AND SDI WEB SITES IN MEMBER STATES
For further information, please
visit the GGIM website:
http://ggim.un.org/