UAE Delegation Participates In 12th UN-GGIM Plenary Meeting For Arab States In Saudi Arabia

The Federal Geographical Information Centre, led by Hamed Al Kaabi, Director-General, took part in the 12th meeting of the Regional Committee of United Nations Global Geospatial Information Management for Arab States. This event was held in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, from 2nd to 6th February. The committee aims to coordinate geospatial efforts among Arab nations.

The UN-GGIM's regional committee operates through three main working groups: the Geodetic Reference Working Group, the Geospatial Governance Working Group, and the Integrated Geospatial Information Framework (IGIF) Working Group. These groups focus on enhancing collaboration and standardisation in geospatial information across the region.

Anwaar Al Shimmari, Executive Director of the Geospatial Information Governance Sector and Chair of the Arab Geospatial Governance Team, gave a presentation on women's empowerment in the Arab geospatial sector. She highlighted their pioneering roles and introduced the Comprehensive Geospatial Information Governance Plan for 2025–2026.

This plan outlines future directions and actions needed to meet geospatial governance requirements. It aims to ensure that women play a significant role in shaping the future of geospatial information management in Arab states.

Abdulla Al Naqbi, a Geodetic Expert, shared insights into the UAE's Unified National Geodetic Reference. His presentation showcased the country's advanced experience and achievements in this field, highlighting its leadership role in geodetic reference systems.

The meeting also celebrated a decade since establishing the Arab Committee of UN Experts on Geospatial Information Management. This milestone was marked by attendance from officials, experts, and specialists from member Arab states and international organisations.

High-Level Group Meeting

Concurrently with the Arab Committee meeting, the Centre participated in the 5th meeting of the High-Level Group on IGIF under UN-GGIM. This gathering focused on advancing integrated frameworks for geospatial information management across different regions.

The event brought together representatives from various sectors to discuss strategies for improving geospatial governance. It aimed to foster collaboration among countries to address common challenges and leverage opportunities in geospatial data management.

The presence of prominent international experts and relevant organisations underscored the importance of these discussions. Their involvement ensured that global best practices were considered while formulating strategies for regional implementation.

With inputs from WAM