New York hosted the 16th meeting of the United Nations Committee of Experts on Global Geospatial Information Management (UN-GGIM), where Saudi Arabia participated through the General Authority for Survey and Geospatial Information.
According to SPA, the Saudi delegation was led by the President of the General Authority for Survey and Geospatial Information, Dr. Eng. Mohammed bin Yahya Al-Sayel. He emphasized the importance of international cooperation and developing an integrated global system for geospatial information management using artificial intelligence and modern technologies to support decision-making and sustainable development.
The Kingdom presented its efforts in implementing the United Nations Integrated Geospatial Information Framework (UN-IGIF) and developing national standards, policies, and regulatory frameworks for geospatial data to improve quality and interoperability. Discussions covered the integration of geospatial and statistical information, land management, hydrographic and marine information, the Global Geodetic Reference Frame, cloud computing, digital twins, and artificial intelligence.
Saudi Arabia expressed support for the Global Geodetic Reference Frame and highlighted its contribution to the Arab Geodetic Reference Frame (ARABREF) initiative, alongside efforts to build regional and international geodetic infrastructure. Regarding geographical names, the Kingdom stressed the importance of standardization to preserve national and cultural identity and data sovereignty.
The Kingdom also reviewed developments regarding the establishment of the United Nations Geospatial Center of Excellence (Ecosystem) in Riyadh. This center will serve as a platform for innovation and technical support for member states, complementing existing UN geospatial centers in Bonn, Germany, and Deqing, China.
What was the purpose of Saudi Arabia’s participation in the UN-GGIM meeting? Saudi Arabia, represented by the General Authority for Survey and Geospatial Information, participated to emphasize international cooperation in geospatial information management. The delegation, led by Dr. Eng. Mohammed bin Yahya Al-Sayel, focused on using artificial intelligence and modern technologies to support sustainable development and decision-making processes.
Which geospatial frameworks and initiatives did the Kingdom discuss? The Kingdom reviewed its implementation of the United Nations Integrated Geospatial Information Framework (UN-IGIF) and its contribution to the Arab Geodetic Reference Frame (ARABREF) initiative. These efforts include developing national standards for geospatial data and building geodetic infrastructure on regional and international levels.
What is the role of the UN Geospatial Center of Excellence in Riyadh? The UN Geospatial Center of Excellence (Ecosystem) in Riyadh will function as a platform for knowledge exchange, innovation, and technical support for member states. It is designed to work in integration with other United Nations geospatial centers located in Deqing, China, and Bonn, Germany.
What specific technical topics were addressed during the Saudi participation? The participation covered the integration of statistical and geospatial information, land management, and hydrographic and marine information. Additionally, the Kingdom discussed the Global Geodetic Reference Frame and the application of cloud computing, digital twins, and artificial intelligence within the sector.