Kingdom Showcases Geospatial Leadership At GSW2025 Conference In Dubai

The "Geospatial Week GSW2025" conference commenced in Dubai, organised by the International Society for Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing (ISPRS) alongside the Mohammed bin Rashid Space Center. Running from April 7 to 11, this event marks a significant gathering in the geospatial field. Dr. Eng. Mohammed bin Yahya Al-Sayel, President of the General Authority for Survey and Geospatial Information (GEOSA), delivered a keynote speech at the opening session.

Al-Sayel highlighted that hosting this event for the second time in the Arab region, following Egypt's hosting in 2023, underscores the increasing influence of Arab nations in global geospatial matters. He emphasised GEOSA's role as a regulatory body in Saudi Arabia, aiming for leadership both regionally and globally. This involves enhancing geospatial information's role in supporting development sectors and digital transformation.

GEOSA is actively involved in developing national geospatial infrastructure to align with Saudi Vision 2030 goals. This includes establishing the National Geospatial Platform to integrate data securely and efficiently. The platform aims to maximise benefits by providing a single access point based on best practices and standards. Such initiatives prepare the sector for investment and stimulate growth.

The launch of the National Geospatial Academy further supports these efforts by serving as a hub for specialised education and training. It aims to build human capabilities within the geospatial field, empowering individuals with necessary skills and knowledge. This academy positions itself as a global platform for advancing geospatial expertise.

Saudi Arabia's pioneering efforts have earned it international recognition, evidenced by the United Nations approving Riyadh as the headquarters for the UN Global Center of Excellence for Geospatial Information's future ecosystem. This achievement highlights GEOSA's significant contributions to advancing geospatial sciences on a global scale.

Looking ahead, Saudi Arabia is applying to host the ISPRS 2030 conference under "Mapping the Future: Innovations in Geospatial Sciences." If successful, it would mark a historic milestone as Saudi Arabia becomes the first Arab country to host this major event. The conference would offer opportunities to shape future geospatial sciences through hackathons and competitions.

Empowering Geospatial Capabilities

The planned ISPRS 2030 conference aims to enhance geospatial information's role in developing smart solutions and addressing modern challenges. It will promote decision-making based on geospatial intelligence, support smart urban planning, showcase cutting-edge technologies, raise awareness, and empower human capabilities within this field.

GEOSA is participating as a main sponsor at Geospatial Week GSW2025, showcasing its experiences through a dedicated pavilion, panel discussions, and scientific papers. These activities highlight both local and international achievements while fostering knowledge exchange among participants.

This event represents an ideal opportunity for Saudi Arabia to deliver significant contributions to the global geospatial community. By hosting such events, Saudi Arabia opens new horizons for shaping future innovations within geospatial sciences while reinforcing its leadership position in this domain.

With inputs from SPA