GEOSA President Dr. Eng. Mohammad Bin Yahya Al Sayel Welcomes UNGGIM Secretary Stefan Schweinfest

The General Authority for Survey and Geospatial Information (GEOSA) President, Dr. Eng. Mohammad bin Yahya Al Sayel, met with Stefan Schweinfest, Secretary of the UN Committee of Experts on Global Geospatial Information Management (UNGGIM). They discussed GEOSA's significant initiatives in regulating Saudi Arabia's surveying and geospatial sectors. The meeting highlighted the Kingdom's advancements in geospatial information management.

Schweinfest praised Saudi Arabia's leadership in geospatial information globally. He acknowledged the Kingdom's contributions to international teams and committees and its efforts to enhance global geospatial awareness. The discussions took place during the 12th plenary meeting of the UNGGIM-Arab States and the fifth session of the High-Level Group for the Integrated Geospatial Information Framework.

The meeting reviewed several key initiatives by GEOSA, including developing a future Saudi geospatial information ecosystem. They also examined Saudi Arabia’s experience in building national geospatial infrastructure and governing geospatial data. Policies, standards, and specifications were formulated according to the Integrated Geospatial Information Framework (IGIF) and international best practices.

Saudi Arabia is hosting both meetings from February 2-6 in Jeddah. These events include workshops for participants from government, private sectors, academia, and non-profit organisations. GEOSA represents Saudi Arabia at UNGGIM under the UN Economic and Social Council. The Arab Committee of Experts on Geospatial Information Management is chaired by Saudi Arabia within this framework.

The discussion also covered recent developments regarding Saudi Arabia hosting the UN Global Geospatial Ecosystem Center of Excellence. This initiative involves coordination with relevant national and international entities to strengthen global collaboration in geospatial information management.

Saudi Arabia serves as the General Secretariat for the Arab Committee of Experts on Geospatial Information Management. This role underscores its commitment to advancing regional cooperation in this field. The Kingdom continues to play a pivotal role in shaping global geospatial policies through active participation in international forums.

The meeting underscored Saudi Arabia’s dedication to promoting knowledge sharing and innovation in geospatial technologies worldwide. By hosting these significant events, the Kingdom aims to foster dialogue among stakeholders and drive progress in geospatial information management.

With inputs from SPA