NAMRIA NEWSCOOP


NAMRIA participates in the 11th Session of UN-GGIM
Volume XXXIII, Issue No. 24
By: Rosal H. Dolanas

NAMRIA Administrator, Usec. Peter N. Tiangco, PhD led the Philippine delegation to the 11th Session of the United Nations Committee of Experts on Global Geospatial Information Management (UN-GGIM).  The UN-GGIM plays a leading role in promoting and advancing the use of geospatial information to address key global challenges.  It provides a forum for geospatial experts and professionals from around the globe to discuss critical issues on enhancing geospatial information management, establish cooperation and linkages, share practical and technical experiences, among others, in order to breach the existing geospatial divide.
 
As highlighted during his opening statement, Mr. Liu Zhenmin, Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs, acknowledged the decade-long commitment of the Committee of Experts in promoting awareness and understanding of the global geospatial landscape.  He also urged the Committee to continue strengthening its modalities and operations in its forthcoming programme of work.    
 
Mr. Liu Zhenmin, Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs of the United Nations,
delivers the opening statement for the event.
 
This year’s session, which was participated in by delegates from Member States as well as non-Member States, entities and organizations invited as observers, tabled 17 agenda items inclusive of the reports of the various working and expert groups, regional committees and thematic groups on the progress of their respective work items during the intersessional period, matters for consideration by the Committee of Experts, and future programme of work.  Also, the key items discussed include the Integrated Geospatial Information Framework, Global Geodetic Reference Frame, Geospatial Information for Sustainable Development, and Strengthening of Geospatial Information Management in light of the report of the UN-GGIM Committee of Experts to the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) in 2022.  The newly elected UN-GGIM Bureau presided over the three-day session.
 
Screenshots of the UN-GGIM Bureau (left-right, top-down) members:  Rosamond Bing (Tonga) (Co-Chair),
Ms. Ingrid Vanden Berghe (Belgium) (Co-Chair), Ms. Paloma Merodio Gomez (Mexico) (Co-Chair),
and Mr. Kamal Outghouliast (Morocco) (Rapporteur) during their respective messages
 
The Philippines, in its written statements, took note and acknowledged the progress of the working groups and expert groups as well as expressed its support to the Committee’s future works and activities.  As head of delegation, Administrator Tiangco was joined by Ms. Leila Lora C. Santos and Ms. Rochelle N. Chen from the Philippine Permanent Mission to the United Nations; and Officer in Charge (OIC)-Deputy Administrator John Santiago F. Fabic, Geospatial Information System Management Branch (GISMB) OIC-Director Febrina E. Damaso, GISMB Assistant Director Benjamin P. Balais, and Information Systems Analyst Ms. Rosal H. Dolanas from NAMRIA.
 
Side events were also organized by the various working and expert groups, and thematic groups held at the margins of the 11th session.  The Philippines, in the side event organized by the Working Group on Geospatial Information and Services for Disasters, presented the overview of the Strategic Framework on Geospatial Information and Services for Disasters (SF-GISD).  The Philippines was a former Co-chair of the working group and led the development of the SF-GISD with Jamaica.
 
In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, this year’s meeting of the Committee of Experts was held, for the second time, virtually on 23-24, 27 August 2021.  Each session was scaled down to an informal two-hour meeting.


Readers can email newscoop@namria.gov.ph or fax letters to +63-2 884-2855 for their comments and suggestions.