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 United 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.

Established in 2023, 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.

In August 2024, in making decision 14/101 at its fourteenth session, the Committee of Experts “welcomed the establishment of the United Nations Global Geospatial Knowledge and Innovation Centre in China” and further “endorsed the strategic plan of the Global Geospatial Knowledge and Innovation Centre.” At the same session, in making decision 14/105, the Committee of Experts also “urged the United Nations Global Geospatial Knowledge and Innovation Centre to intensify its support to Member States to ensure the sustained adoption of geospatial information management capabilities and the operationalization of the Framework in accordance with national circumstances.”

Following the fourteenth session, the Centre organized or contributed to several activities including the ‘GeoNow’ event 2024 edition in Deqing, China; contributed to expert meetings and workshops on UN-IGIF in close collaboration with the SDG Data Alliance in " Antigua and Barbuda (Oct 2024) and Fiji (Nov 2024); supported the attendance of the UN-GGIM: AP annual meeting; and finally organized a ‘meeting of the minds’ workshop at UN-GGKIC to gather experiences, insights and challenges from international experts and Member States on the implementation of the UN-IGIF.

In January 2025, in close consultation with its International Advisory Committee, the Centre finalized its first work programme. The Centre also participated and supported the attendance of the Fifth meeting of the High-level Group on the United Nations Integrated Geospatial Information Framework, held in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia on 2-3 February 2025. The Centre conducted an expert consultation and workshop on the UN-IGIF in Maputo, Mozambique in close collaboration with the SDG Data Alliance, the Economic Commission for Africa, the National Agency for Geospatial Information of Mozambique and the UN-GGIM Secretariat from 24 to 28 March 2024. The Centre also co-hosted the Geospatial Leadership Training and Global Forum with University of Melbourne, Australia from 1 to 3 April 2025.

The 2025 meeting of the IAC UN-GGKIC will be held in two parts, as an online meeting on 7-8 May 2025, and as an in-person meeting on 3 August 2025 at the United Nations Headquarters in New York, USA, ahead of the fifteenth session of the Committee of Experts on Global Geospatial Information Management. At the meeting, the IAC of the UN-GGKIC will further guide and advise the Centre on its strategic direction and future activities including overall coordination with activities and groups of UN-GGIM, strengthening knowledge sharing and innovative cooperation, promoting applications of geospatial information in other fields, developing the communication strategy of the Centre, conceptualizing geospatial knowledge and innovation reports, and designing leadership development activities and training courses

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