UN-GGIM

In resolution 2022/24 entitled 'Enhancing global geospatial information management arrangements' the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) recognized the sustained efforts of the Committee of Experts on Global Geospatial Information Management (UN-GGIM) to establish the United Nations Global Geospatial Knowledge and Innovation Centre (UN-GGKIC) in Deqing, China to provide opportunities to develop and expand global geospatial capacity, competence and capabilities, and to strengthen geospatial information management arrangements in countries, especially developing countries. Further, ECOSOC reiterated "the importance of strengthening and enhancing the effectiveness of the Committee of Experts, particularly for the achievement of its operations focused on the Sustainable Development Goals and the Integrated Geospatial Information Framework, to strengthen and ensure its continued effectiveness and benefits to all Member States."

In making decision 13/101 at its Thirteenth Session in August 2023, the Committee "noted the progress and efforts made to finalize the modalities for the establishment of the United Nations Global Geospatial Knowledge and Innovation Centre in Deqing [...] as tangible means to develop and expand global geospatial capacity and capability and to strengthen geospatial information management arrangements in countries, especially developing countries [...]."

The overarching goal of the UN-GGKIC is to work towards the ambitions of implementation of the United Nations Integrated Geospatial Information Framework (UN-IGIF) set by Member States to develop capacity, promote and support the required innovation, leadership, coordination and standards to develop, strengthen, integrate and deliver national geospatial information policy, data, systems, tools, services and capabilities into their national government development policies, strategies and arrangements. The objective of the UN-GGKIC is to strengthen and advance the geospatial information management capacity development capabilities of Member States, especially developing countries, and to strengthen knowledge sharing and innovative cooperation.

The modalities for operationalizing the UN-GGKIC include a Framework Plan and the formation of a Steering Committee and an International Advisory Committee. The UN-GGKIC will develop and implement its annual programme of work in accordance with the Framework Plan. The International Advisory Committee (IAC), comprised of international geospatial experts with balanced geographical representation and diversity from UN-GGIM, will provide the required guidance and advice on the development, implementation, and review of the substantive annual programme of work of the UN-GGKIC.

The 2024 meeting of the UN-GGKIC: IAC is an in-person meeting, bringing together all members of the IAC at UN-GGKIC in Deqing, China. Over two days, the UN-GGKIC: IAC is expected to review, consider, deliberate and advise the UN-GGKIC a medium-term operational strategy and focus and its annual plan of work in accordance with the agreed Framework Plan.