(5th meeting) Sixteenth session of the United Nations Committee of Experts on Global Geospatial Information Management (UN-GGIM)

I Good morning.
I call to the order fifth meeting of the 16th session of the committee of Expert in Global Geospial Information Management.
Agenda item number 12, integrated Geospatial information for activities, and administration and management continue as announced at the end of the meeting yesterday afternoon.
The committee will now continue its consideration of the agenda item 12 entitled Integrated Geospatial for Effective Land Administration and Management.
To hear the remaining speakers in the discussion, I wish to recall that the list of its speaker closed as also announced yesterday afternoon.
Giving the floor to the first speaker in the list, I will kindly remind all speaker of the time limit of 1 minute 30 seconds as yesterday afternoon, the microphone will be automatically cut off after 1 minute, 45 seconds.
For that, I would like to encourage you to deliver the abbreviated version of your statements and send the full version to statements at un.org for publication in the UN journal.
I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Cuba.
Thank you very much, Co chair Cuba.
Welcome with satisfaction the report of the group of experts on land use management.
This allows us to move towards modern and effective land management programs that include CDs, built and maritime areas.
This is part of the Geospatial Information Sym of the United Nations.
Geospatial information has been crucial to support urban land planning, urban development And the integrated management of land and sea interfaces, especially in areas susceptible to climate change.
We're proud to have been a hybrid center and this would serve as a practical mechanism to support countries in implementation of internationally recognized frameworks and in the transfer of technical knowledge.
We underscore the need For this center to prioritize capacity building in developing countries guarantee that all member states can actually benefit from innovative technologies and modern approaches to land administration and management.
We have developed relevant expertise in cadastral management and land administration.
This has led to improved land use, protection of coastal zones and agricultural land, and pification of human settlements in secure and sustainable fashion.
Thank you.
I thank Cuba.
Now I give the floor to Serbia.
Thank you, Mr.
Chair.
Serbia aligns itself with the statement of UNGGM Europe, welcomes the work and progress of the expert group and supports the proposed update of FELA with a strong focus on practical implementation and country experience.
Serbia would also like to confirm its interest to join the expert group and actively contribute to its future work.
In this context, Survey is bringing forward an initiative entitled Rights Space and Trust built on the lessons learned from more than a decade of comprehensive and successful land administration and catastrophic reform in Serbia.
This initiative available on our website presents our vision of plan administration as an infrastructure of trust connecting people, rights and space through reliable, transparent, efficient and trusted government systems.
Serbia stands ready to bring this experience to the expert group and contribute practical knowledge and lessons from the implementation to the further development of FEA, helping to shape plan administration systems that are ready for the challenges and opportunities of the future.
Thank you, Mr.
Chair.
I thank Serbia and now I give the floor to Sweden.
Thank you, share.
Sweden welcomes the report of the Expert Group of Land Administration and Management and expresses its appreciation for the comprehensive work plan for the period 2026 to 2029.
Sweden encourages the proposed priority areas, particularly the continued implementation of the framework for effective administration.
We also support broader participation to ensure that more countries can contribute to and benefit from the work of the expert group.
The development of a hybrid hub could strengthen collaboration, facilitate knowledge sharing, and improve access to expertise and practical resources across regions.
However, Sweden believes that the development of a hybrid hub for land administration deserves further attention and would welcome the opportunity to contribute to this work and looks forward to continuing its engagement in the expert group.
Thank you.
Hi, thanks, Sweden, and I give the floor to Panama.
Thank you, Mr.
Chair.
I will now speak in Spanish.
Panama Panama welcomes the report and the update ACLc and the program for Geospatial Administration.
We welcome the strengthening of regional coordination and building existing capacity, Panama as a member of the steering committee on Cases in Ibra America, which is to highlight the importance of these specialized regional mechanism.
The SPCI connects to the Castro systems of Ibama facilitates cooperation, and enables us to share experiences and good practices that are specific to the different jurisdictions.
Panama encourages the group of experts to establish more structured dialogue with these kinds of bodies and regional bodies, not as parallel structures, but as partners for implementation that are able to provide regional approaches and good practices.
The next part should use this existing capacity.
I thank you.
I think Panama, now I give the floor to Comoros.
Cameroon.
Thank you, chair.
Cameroon welcome the report of the expert group on land administration and management and commend the co chair, bureau and Secretariat for their continued leadership and the significant progress achieved during the interstational period.
Cameroon also welcome the proposal to establish a hub on administration and management and support his development as a demand driven, country led and inclusive mechanism to facilitate access to expertise, knowledge exchange, capacity development and implementation support.
Cameroon further an that the H should complement existing initiative, avoid duplication and build on current programs, and express its support for locating the hub in Africa, meaningfully integrate with one of the African Jopial Center of Excellence.
Thank you, Mr.
Chair.
I thank Cameron and k now Cameras.
Yes.
He doesn't have the mic.
He needs to wait until your answer it.
Go ahead.
No.
Comorce recognize that effective land administration is fundamental for secure tener, sustainable development, climate resilience, food security, housing, economic opportunity, and inclusive governance across our continent.
Comorce also notes the complex challenges many African nations face, such as fragmented legal framework, limited institutional and technical capacity, financing constraints, and the gap between policy ambitions and operational implementation on the ground.
In this context, Commorce fully supports the proposed 2026 2029 work plan, including the continued enhancement of the framework for effective land administration, Through the integration of practical implementation and regional perspective for Africa, we encourage Aglam alongside the Secretariat and member states to further refine the hubs governance sustainability and accountability arrangement to actively contribute to this effort, Commor formally expresses strong interest in joining the UNDGM expert group on land administration and management.
As a small island developing state, currently modernizing its geoitial and land administration framework, we are eager to bring our unique island perspective to the group, support balanced regional representation, and work collaboratively to operationalize FA guideline across diverse national context.
Thank you, Chair.
I thank Camaros, and I call Armenia.
Thank you, Mr.
Chair.
Armenia welcomes the report and the continued work of the expert group to translate global frameworks into practical improvements in land administration.
For Armenia, a central priority is the systematic correction of legacy cads maps so that parcel geometry more accurately reflects authoritative evidence and registered land rights.
By integrating cad records with current imagery and other authoritative geospatial data, we are improving parcel accuracy, reducing uncertainty, and supporting more transparent land management.
Standardized data models and exchange mechanisms also allow national and municipal authorities, private surveyors and citizens to work with more consistent information.
This improves coordination, reduce duplication, and contributes directly to resilient infrastructure, sustainable city, and strong institutions.
Our next priority is to expand systematic map collection while safeguarding data quality, legal certainty, and stakeholder participation.
Armenia supports continued international cooperation and the exchange of fit for purpose, people centered approaches to land administration.
Our experience shows that technology delivers lasting value when it is supported by clear legislation, institutional coordination, and public trust.
Thank you.
I thank Armenia and call Saudi Arabia.
Thank you.
I will speak in Arabic The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia welcomes the report and commends the group of experts for its efforts to promote effective and efficient land management through the implementation of the Framework for Effective and Administration in alignment with the UN IGF.
These efforts contribute to translating global frameworks into practical applications that respond to the needs of member states.
We also welcome the proposal to establish a land management center as a platform for facilitating the exchange of experiences, enhancing access to technical expertise, and supporting the implementation of a global framework.
In this regard, we emphasize that the center should complement, not duplicate the work of the group of experts.
We support the continued development of evidence based resources, case studies, and capacity building programs aimed at enabling countries to modernize their land management systems in accordance with their national priorities and legal institutional frameworks.
I think Saudi Arabia and the coal for South Africa.
China South Africa takes note of the report and supports the expert groups work plan.
Integrated land information is necessary for tenure security, land reform, spatial transformation, human settlements, infrastructure, and environmental management.
South Africa supports updating FELA and aligning it to the UN ITIF.
Updated framework would remain attachable to national law and should recognize that land administration includes registration of rights in land, cast information, land use planning, valuation, environmental constraints, and the realization of customary and communal tenure systems.
South Africa supports the proposed and administration hub if it provides practical, open, and reusable implementation resources.
It should include cases from Africa and other developing regions.
With strong focus on standards, governance models, skills, and guidance for incremental modernization.
South Africa further expresses its preference for the hub to be located in Africa.
We encourage wider participation in the expert group, including expertise on gender, tare reforms, human settlements, and local government.
South Africa is prepared to participate and contribute relevant expertise or experiences in support of a work plan that advances inclusive, transparent, and effective land governance.
Thank you very much, Sir.
I thank South Africa and Cole and Deno share.
Thank you, co chairs.
Indonesia supports continued implementation of FELA alongside UN IGIF with guidance that is fit for purpose and adaptable to different legal, institutional, and social contexts.
We welcome the proposed hybrid HP, provided that its governance, financing, and relationship with regional committees and global centers are clearly defined.
Indonesia particularly emphasizes integration across terrestrial, maritime, built and strial domains, including the land sea interface.
Digital innovation should expand coverage and improve surfaces while safeguarding inclusion, legal certainty, data protection, and legitimate rights.
Thank you, Mr.
Chair.
I thank Indonesia and the United Kingdom.
Thank you, chair.
This statement is on behalf of UNGMM Europe.
UNGGM Europe supports efforts to strengthen the membership of the expert group on land administration and management and considers that a more geographically balanced membership would help ensure the group's work reflects diverse tenure systems, regional perspectives, and practical use cases.
The Europe Regional Committee encourages member states to express interest in joining the expert group, particularly continued efforts to broaden participation across all regions.
UNGGM Europe supports a proposed update of FEA in this context, we would also welcome the work undertaken by EROSDR and encourage that its relevant findings be considered during the update process.
On the proposed Hub for and administration, UNGGM Europe notes and welcomes the progress made and supports a continuation of this process.
The Europe Regional Committee agrees with the view expressed by the expert group that the Hub's added value, scope, and practical function should be clearly defined before questions of governance, location, and financing are addressed.
The current note is a good starting point but needs further elaboration.
UNGGM Europe encourages continued exploration of the what and the why to demonstrate its added value to ensure it is demand driven, avoids duplication, and connects effectively with existing frameworks and mechanisms.
We suggest that work is taking into account the scarcity of resources within the Secretariat.
I thank UN GGI Europe.
Thank you, Mr.
Chair.
Closed.
Thank Micropne for the speaker, please.
Okay.
I call now with Brazil.
Thank you, Mr.
Chair.
I will provide the statement in Spanish.
Brazil takes note of the present report and we express our positive view as regards the efforts to exchange knowledge as regards land governance.
Our delegation is in favor of the creation of mechanisms that drive land governance, taking into account the diverse realities, competencies, and responsibilities that are specific to national bodies.
Brazil supports the proposal to create an accessible territorial data or land data repository that will facilitate the process of land governance finally.
Brazil supports the participation of the group of experts that provide different perspectives on land use and governance structures and different geographic arrangements as regards former human settlements, and also the participation of indigenous peoples and traditional community groups and also from regions facing various kinds of inherent social challenges.
I thank you.
I thank Brazil and No Sans.
Thank you, co chair.
St.
Lucia welcomes the report and commends the expert group's progress and its 2026 to 2029 work plan.
We support updating FELA to align with the UN IGIF, reflect national circumstances, and incorporate emerging innovations.
In St.
Lucia, we are modernizing land information systems through the digitization of land records, improved cadustrial datasets, and the adoption of recognized geospatial standards.
Finally, Chair, St.
Lucia recognizes and encourages broad participation from member states and partners to ensure that the needs of developing countries are fully reflected, diverse tenure systems, and indigenous people's perspectives.
Thank you, Chair.
I thank St.
Lucia and call Georgia.
Thank you, Mr.
Chair.
Georgia welcomes the report of the expert group on land administration and Management and comments its continued efforts in advancing the framework for effective led administration, as well as the proposal to establish a hub for effective led administration.
Georgia recognized that many countries face challenges in translating global frameworks into practical implementation.
We therefore welcome the proposed Hub as a practical, country driven mechanism that will connect member states with relevant expertise.
Georgia expressed an interest in becoming a member of the expert group on land administration and Management.
We also welcome the establishment of the Hub as an important platform for strengthening international cooperation, peer learning, and knowledge exchange among member states.
Thank you.
I thank Georgia and call France.
Thank you, Mr.
Chair, for your information.
The full version of our intervention had been submitted to the Secretariat.
With your permission, I will now continue in French.
La France.
France considers that integrated geospatial information is a key component of states administering the key parts of their territory.
There's no real integrated land management.
Without this, it's just fragmented.
Effective land administration requires various mechanisms, ensuring the quality, the updating and integrity of data.
France supports in Bernese based approach, taking into consideration their priorities, their abilities, and their institutional context.
From this standpoint, Fella must remain a key framework for guidance and consistency.
France considers also that integrated geospatial information is a global public good in that it's a resource that's produced and maintained in a shared way to prevent risks and to promote sustainable development in Alia.
So there needs to be intersectorial legal interoperability.
According to national context, this can focus and bring together rather the relevant administrations, local authorities, research, the private sector, civil society, in order to ensure the quality, traceability, et cetera of data protection.
Also, this needs to be protected to ensure that all can participate in a secure and safe manner.
I thank you.
I thank France and call for Jamaica.
Thank you, co chair.
Jamaica welcomes the report on the group of experts of and administration and Management and commends the progress in advancing the FLA.
Jamaica supports a proposed 2026 to 2029 work plan and affirms that effective land administration underpins sustainable development, climate resilience, secure land and and disaster risk reduction, investment, and evidence based spatial planning.
Encourage the sharing of practical implementation experiences, including Jamaica's land registration modernization and capacity enhancement initiatives such as our land administration Innovation Center developed through our partnership with KIA.
Jamaica supports the establishment of the Hub on land administration as a platform for knowledge exchange, technical cooperation, and capacity development.
Particularly for SIDS, we further encourage broad participation by member states, regional committees, academia, professional organizations, and development partners while promoting inclusive, fit for purpose land administration through regional collaboration within Curcum.
Jamaica remains committed to working with the UN GGM, the expert group, and international partners to strengthen effective land administration through innovation, interoperability, sound governance, and inclusive geospatial information management in support of the SDGs.
Thank you, co chair.
I think Jamaica and Cold Kingdom of the Netherlands.
Okay.
Thank you, Chair.
Please note that our coming statements are shortened and our full statements have been submitted.
The Kingdom of the Netherlands thanks the Republic of South Africa for hosting the sixth meeting in Cape Town and expresses appreciation to the expert group for its continued progress on the work plan 26 29.
The Kingdom of the Netherlands underpins enhanced participation in the expert group.
Broader engagement by member states and partners enriches work on standards, diverse and new systems, and gender and indigenous perspectives.
We value greater diversity of views and more balanced regional representation.
Lessons learned by member states are essential to ensure that the expert groups work reflects national circumstances and respond to global and regional needs.
We support the expert groups to update FELA to ensure it remains relevant and responsive to evolving national needs and technical developments.
We encourage the continued collection of implementation materials and regional experiences to support countries in translating guidance into action.
The Kingdom of the Netherlands notes that the world is significantly behind in achieving the SDGs, including tenure security.
Effective land administration is a critical enabler for addressing this challenge.
Greater emphasis on implementation support, peer learning, and capacity development is needed.
We support further exploration for a hub on land administration as a practical mechanism to support implementation to a secure land tenure and the SDGs.
Thank you, Chair.
I thank the Kingdom of the Netherlands and the K Single Word.
Thank you, Chair.
Singapore welcomes the report of the expert group on and administration and Management and commends the progress made during the intersectional period, including the proposed work plan for 2026 to 2029 and the six expert group meeting held in Cape Town.
Singapore recognizes the effective land administration is foundational to sustainable development underpinning ten security, climate resilience, disaster risk reduction, and economic opportunity.
Singapore supports the expert groups emphasis that the framework for effective and administration should remain a living framework that is flexible and responsive to diverse national circumstances rather than prescribing a single model.
We also encourage the continued development of practical implementation materials and case studies that will help member states translate FELA into country level action.
Building on the recommendation of the compilation report on the integration of terrestrial and maritime domain, Singapore also encourages the expert group to continue coordination with the UNGGMIHO joint working group.
This coordination should focus on supporting practical approaches to domain integration and avoiding duplication between the respective work streams.
On the proposed HUP on land administration, Spore supports the establishment of practical support mechanism to help countries navigate existing framework, standards, and tools.
We agree that HUP should be clearly defined, demand driven, and realistically resourced and should complement rather than duplicate existing mechanisms.
Singapore also notes the importance of innovation in advancing land administration, including two digital twins I thank Singapore and Cold Barbados.
Thank you, Chair.
Barbados commends the expert group for the significant progress made during the intersectional period.
Barbados supports the emphasis on ensuring that the framework for effective land administration remains a living framework as flexibility and adaptability are essential to small island developing states, given our unique vulnerabilities, limited land resources, and exposure to climate impacts.
Barbados recognizes the value of the proposed hub on administration for member states with constrained capacity, a single entry point for technical support, case studies, training resources, and peer learning will be highly beneficial.
In closing, Barbados reaffirms its commitment to participation in the work of the expert group and in advancing integrated Geospatial information as a foundation for resilient sustainable development.
Thank you, Chair.
I thank Barbados and Cole Finland.
Thank you, sir.
Finland welcomes the fell out report and ongoing work of the UNS GTM Expert Group on and administration.
The Finland emphasy is the standardization of specific data in Europe and encourage a member states to participate actively in the development of the land administration model and other global standardization efforts.
Finland support the proposed hope for effective in land administration as a practical network based mechanism to help countries implement FELA initiatives.
The Hub put completely exciting into this fit out creating new institutions or policy framework and would help member states translate global and regional guidelines into congrete actions.
Thank you.
I thank Finland and Cole Bruny.
Thank you, Mr.
Chair.
I would like to make my statement in French, Burundi joins itself with member states to support the committee of Experts report on integrated geospatial information on land administration and management.
As part of its 2040 vision, our country has a schema to meet in an inclusive way land issues, addressing demographic growth and climate change and maintaining soil whilst dealing with urbanization.
In order to modernize the land administration system, we've set up a system both on the digitalization of archives and geospatial information.
And also digital interoperability.
We also have a database looking at this.
In conclusion, Burundi would urge the UN GGM Secretariat to continue its strategic support to ensure the success of this reform.
I thank you.
Thank you, Burn and Cole Arag.
Thank you.
Thank you, Mr.
Chair.
I would like to speak in Arabic.
The delegation of the Republic of Iraq appreciate the efforts of the Expert Group on and administration and Management.
We appreciate the continuous work in developing the FELA and the preparation of the report and proposed work plan.
We support updating the FAL framework in line with the technological developments and modern innovations.
We emphasize the importance of harmonizing it with the UN IGI.
We have taken important steps and practical ones in this field.
We implemented the project for the inventory and management of state owned properties using geospatial information technologies.
We also support the proposed work plan for 2026, 2029 and propose a phased program for capacity building and technical support that would include measurable priorities, outputs, and indicators that would assist the member states in translating the FELA framework and harmonizing it with the IGIF into practical national actions while giving special attention to the needs of the developing countries.
We propose conducting a midterm review during 2028 to assess the progress achieved and determine the priorities for the remaining phase.
We express our desire to join the expert group on land administration and management and to contribute actively in its activities, capacity building programs, and exchange of expertise.
In conclusion, we reaffirm our commitment to supporting international effort in this domain.
Thank you, Mr.
Chair.
Nicole Morocco.
Thank you, Mr.
Chair.
I will speak on behalf of the UNGM Africa.
UNGM Africa welcomes the report of the expert group on land administration, management, and commands to co chairs, the Bureau and the Secretariat for the significant progress achieved during the interstational period.
The region welcomes the updated 2026 2020 line work plan, the continued provision of the framework of effective and administration and the proposed hybrid Hub as important initiatives to support member states in strengthening effective and integrated land administration systems.
Region of Africa is pleased to report that since the 15th session of the committee of experts, the regional committee has established a dedicated regional working group on land Administration and Management.
The working group is actively advancing regional priorities and working closely with the global expert group to ensure strong synergies, promote knowledge exchange, and support the implementation of FILA across the Africa region.
New Jeim Africa, further will come the successful expert meeting on land administration and management held in Cape Town alongside the FIG Congress 2026, which provides an excellent platform for dialogue collaboration and knowledge sharing.
The region greatly benefit from the discussion and practical experience shared during the meeting andaffirm its commitment to contributing to advancing effective land administration across Africa.
Thank you, Mr.
Chair.
I think you and GM Africa and I call Tango.
Thank you, Jan.
Good morning.
The Kingdom of Toa recognized the need for fully realized of the importance and benefits of effective land administration and urgent need to the implementation of the framework of effective and administration together with the EU and I GIF, but in accordance with national situation and circumstances.
Toma realized the significance of effective land administration for sustainable development and resilience in small island states and looking forward, to adopting FELA to strengthen and modernize Tomas 150 years land administration system and would welcome the technical guidance from the expert group in assessing how it could be applied to our national circumstances.
Toma also welcomed the 2026 29 work plan and support the proposed Hub on land administration to be a demand driven and country led magniian.
Lastly, Toma expressed its interest to be a member of the expert group.
Thank you.
I thank Tonga and the call for Senegal.
Thank you, Mr.
Chair.
Senegal welcomes the report of the Expert Group on and Administration and Management and comments its continued effort to support the implementation of the framework for effective and administration.
Senegal recognizes the importance of strengthening the geographical diversity and regional balance of the expert groups membership.
In this regard, Senegal wishes to express its interest in joining the export group and contributing actively to its future work.
Senegal's participation would provide an opportunity to bring national experience and African perspective to the group's deliberations, particularly regarding ten way security, fit for purpose, land administration, institutional strengthening and the implementation of FELA in diverse national contexts.
Senegal stands ready to share its experience, engage constructively with member states and partners, and contribute to ensuring that the group's work reflects the priorities and circumstances of all regions.
Thank you.
I thank Senegal and Nicole Guyana.
Guyana thanks the Secretariat for sharing this report and expresses his gratitude to the expert group on NA administration and Management for the continued support.
Guyana notes that the work plan 2026, 2029 has been for advanced and appreciate the recognition of practical and advocacy approaches towards the implementation of FEA.
Guyana sees effective administration as central among national priorities regards the security of tenure and its contribution to sustainable development.
Guyana notes that Land administration tried legal institution, geospatial, geodetic foundation as such capacity building remains paramount.
To implement the FELA and IGF, the technical and physical environment that will support this initiative needs to be created.
This means that country level actions are necessary.
While dialogue to support modern and effective land administration system is seen as an important step towards understanding the unique needs of member state, concrete actions involving technical support and sourcing finance must follow.
Gina supports the idea of a hybrid hub on land administration and management and feels that this hub should be easily accessible, practical and action oriented.
Gina feels that decentralization of the hub Through more localized group like the regional sub regional groups such as Carriage will allow for the sharing of knowledge, technical support, expertise, and shared experiences that will reduce issues of barriers such as language, culture and traditions, among others that affect Lantania activities.
Thank you.
I thank Guyana and Nicole PGi.
Thank you, Mr.
Chair.
My delegation thanks the expert group and supports the continued implementation of FELA alongside the UN IGF.
For Fiji, effective administration is vital for attending security, development, climate resilience.
Ministry of Lands and Mineral Resources is advancing the modernization of state land administration through digital transformation, improve system integration.
At the same time, we're reviewing the State Lands Act of 1945 to support a modern, effective future ready and administration network.
Progress is encouraging, continuing investment is needed to strengthen data systems capacity and long term sustainability.
My delegation recommends that FELA remains adaptable and provide practical implementation, promote integrated and resilient land administration, and support sustainable end to end modernization.
Chair, we think that progress should ultimately be measured by improved service delivery, secure tenure, reliable digital records, greater transparency, and stronger public confidence.
My delegation supports the report and stands ready to share lessons from Fiji for's ongoing land administration reform.
I thank you, Mr.
Chair.
I thank Fiji and Nicole Honduras.
Thank you very much Chair.
I will be making a brief intervention on behalf of Honduras and then on behalf of the Ingan Americas.
We welcome the progress of the expert group on and administration and Management, and we welcome exchange of information capacity and National Corporation for Honduras.
Effective and Administration is a fundamental element for strengthening legal certainty, land planning and sustainable development.
In this regard, the Institutional Property has used a model that uses cadastral information, geospatial information because we are convinced that modern territorial management requires official interoperable information to support decision making.
In this context, Honduras reaffirms its commitment to the principles of the framework, fellow framework, and welcome coordination with Ungian America to support inter regional cooperation, exchange of experience, and capacity building to make progress towards land administration and management systems that are more modern and integrated.
I will now speak on behalf of Engagan Americas.
Aungan Americas takes note of the report of the expert group on and administration and management and we express our appreciation for the progress achieved during the intersectional period, especially the proposed program of work 2026 through 2029, the FELA framework and the development of the proposed Hb, but also we supports a mechanism to support this implementation.
We consider that the ongoing update of FELA continue to incorporate lessons learned, emerging priorities and diversity of national regional contexts, while at the same time, maintaining its alignment with the UN IGIF, we also encourage development of a case studies, implementation, guidance, and practical tools to facilitate its adaptation to the different realities of member states.
We welcome the proposal to establish and administration Hub as a platform for strengthening capacity development knowledge exchange and cooperation amongst regions.
Again, Americas reaffirms its commitment to supporting the implementation of FELA through the working group and we invite and encourage members states and regional committees, and partners to strengthen their engagement with this.
We also emphasize the importance of promoting an inclusive and multilingual approach that will facilitate access to knowledge and contribute to more equitable implementation of FELA.
Finally, we express our appreciation to the Republic of Chile for their leadership and valuable contribution as co chair of the expert group, strengthening coordination across regional and global levels.
I thank you, co chair.
Thank you, UN GG.
I am the Americans.
Now, I call the FIG.
Thank you, Mr.
Chair.
I'll provide an abridged version of our submission.
FIG welcomes a report of the expert Group on and Administration Management and congratulates the co chairs, members and Secretariat on the successful sixth expert meeting held in Cape Town following the FIG Congress.
FIG also thanks the government of South Africa for supporting the FIG Congress and for hosting the S expert meeting.
The integration between these events provided an excellent opportunity to bring together relevant stakeholders in Africa, further strengthening the link between global frameworks and practical implementation.
FIG welcomes the continued emphasis on FALA and its commissions will remain actively engaged in promoting FALA.
FIG strongly supports the proposed EGM LAM work plan, especially in its development of implementation and guidance and knowledge sharing.
Finally, FIG welcomes the progress made towards the proposed help on La administration.
Thank you, Mr.
Chair.
I thank you the FIG and call the Private Sector Network.
Thank you, Mr.
Chairman.
The Private Sector Network welcomes the report on the progress of the joint working group on sorry.
Effective land administration and foundational to tenure security, economic development, climate resilience, and sustainable development.
The opportunity is now for the member states to translate the UN IGIF and FILA into practical fit for purpose, and country led implementation.
The private sector network can contribute technology interoperability, innovative approaches, capacity development, and real world implementation experience.
We also support the proposed and administration hub as a practical mechanism for connecting countries with knowledge, expertise, and implementation support and are willing to contribute to its development.
Further, the PSN is pleased to advise that Trimble will also represent the PSN with the expert group on and administration management alongside our existing representatives from EE and Hexagon.
We look forward to strengthening the PSNs contribution to the expert group and helping move effective and administration from framework to implementation and impact.
I thank you.
I thank the Private Sector network and I call the Euro Geographic.
Thank you, Mr.
Cher.
Euro Geographics would like to form the committee that the Open Maps for Europe two project has now concluded and through it, the pilot Open Cadustrial map has been enhanced to include data from 15 of Europe's national Mapping industrial and and registration authorities.
Compiling and harmonizing inspire open data to provide an overview of the cadustrial information available across Europe and where to find it.
U Geographic considers this a practical example of a single access point for authoritative cdustral information directly relevant to the UN GGIM hybrid hub for effective land administration proposed by UN GGM Europe, on which the committee is invited to provide guidance under this agenda item.
The Pan European industrial data strategy also delivered as part of the OME two project and developed together with our members, defines the stakeholders technology, processes, resources, and best practices required to support the long term delivery of official high value data for addresses, cdustrial parcels, buildings, and administrative units.
Thank you, Mr.
Chair.
I thank the Geographics and the call of the European Association of Remote Sensing Companies.
Thank you, Mr.
Chair.
I speak on behalf of F representing Europe's Airfvation service industry in collaboration with the European Space Agency.
We welcome the report and support of the expert group work on plan, especially its shift from advocacy and guidance to country level implementation on the FILA.
Airservation and geospatial information can complement catastroal information by monitoring land use, urban growth, agricultural activity, ecosistent conditions and land degradation.
From the UN Convention to combat Certification, UN CCD, up to 40% of the land is degraded, affecting more than 3 billion people.
This reinforce the need for continuous land monitoring observation to identify chains, target action, and monitor whether land restoration policies are working.
European experience with the land use chains and forestry, Lucief can provide case studies and implementation material showing how operational earth observation, interoperable standards, and validated workflows, strengthening land governance and implementation.
It is important to note that the European Union specifically calls for LucF inventories to become more geographically explicit, timely and accurate, including earthsvation data.
Just to put a figure, remember that Sentinel two, one of the satellite missions of the European Union's Copernican program provides imagery up to ten meter resolution across 30 spectral bands with 290 worth a nominal five days for visit period.
This is representing up to approximately 73 observation per location per year before accounting the clouds.
Air Cansa stand ready to contribute Earth observation expertise and implement.
I think European Association of remote sensing Companies.
Now we have heard the last speakers in the discussions in this item who remained on our list from yesterday.
In this regard, I would like to recall that the list was closed yesterday and that we cannot accommodate any new inscription now.
Okay.
I now invite Mr.
Gil Liar Geospatial Information Officer at the Global Information Management section of UNSD to summarize the main item of points of this discussion.
Thank you, Mr.
Chair.
The Committee of Expert welcomed the report of the expert group on land administration and management, commended the expert group for the progress achieved during the intersectional period, and agreed to its work plan for 2026, 2029.
The committee of experts supported the update to the framework for effective land administration as a flexible, living and responsive framework that addresses diverse national, legal, institutional, tenure context, evolving policy needs and innovation, and requested the update to be conducted in consultation with member states and relevant stakeholders.
Drawing on practical guidance, case studies, lessons learned, existing materials, and regional experience, and in alignment with the United Nations Integrated Geospatial Information framework.
The committee of Expert welcomed the proposal for a Hub for effective and administration and supported its further development as a country led and demand driven requirement that supports member states in navigating, aligning, and applying existing framework, guidance, standards, tools, and practical resources while complementing existing initiatives and avoiding duplication.
And requested the expert group in consultation with interested member states and relevant partners to elaborate further on the Hub concept proposal, including its scope, added value, governance, sustainability, operational arrangements, and resources needed for its operationalization, and to present a revised detailed proposal to the committee at its 17th session.
And the committee of experts encouraged the expert group to continue strengthening coordination with relevant regional working groups to facilitate knowledge exchange, in particular related to joining the land and sea domains, and to support country led implementation of the framework for effective land management in accordance with national circumstances.
Thank you, Mr.
Chair.
I thank Mr.
Lord and all delegations for their valuable contribution to the interesting exchange of views in this item.
The committee has thus concluded this stage of its consideration of the agenda item 12, Agenda item 13.
Integrated Marine Geospasial Information.
Next, the committee will consider the agenda 13 entitled Integrated Marine Geospasial Information.
I have the pleasure to invite miss Klein Pot Wright.
Sorry for that maybe member of the UNGGIM and the IHO joint working group and the Marine Geospatial Information and the thical cartographer Analyst at the National Geospatial Intelligence Agency for the United States to take the introducer seat in the podium.
Under this item, the committee has before its note by the Secretariat entitled Integrated Marine Geospatial Information contained in document E slash C 20 slash 2026 slash 14 and its addendum.
Now, I give the role to Kathleen Botright to introduce the documents.
Thank you, Mr.
Chair.
Distinguished representatives, delegates, observers, and colleagues.
It is my pleasure on behalf of the co chairs to introduce this agenda item and present the report of the UN GGIM and IHO joint working group on Marine geospatial information.
I wish to highlight three key developments.
First, the operationalization of the joint working group.
Over the past year, the joint working group has moved from its establishment phase to the practical implementation of its mandate.
A key milestone was the group's first in person expert meeting held in Chiang Mai, Thailand 4-8 May 2026.
At the meeting, participants agreed on a shared vision and mission, identified key priorities, and developed the joint work plan together with time bound task teams to support its implementation.
We extend our sincere appreciation to the government of Thailand and the hydrographic department of the Royal Thai Navy for generously hosting the meeting and supporting this important milestone.
Second, the joint work plan for 2026 through 2030 and the arrangements for its implementation.
The work plan establishes a common direction through five priority areas, engagement and coordination, capacity development and inclusion, standards and interoperability, innovation and integration, and communication and advocacy.
Implementation will be advanced through focused task teams that will deliver practical outputs, including metadata guidance, alignment between UN GIF hydro and IHO publication C 17, capacity development activities, and enhanced engagement on policy and legal issues.
We encourage members to participate actively in the task teams and to consider leading or supporting specific deliverables.
Third, strengthening the contribution of marine geospatial information to ocean governance and law of the sea.
Reliable, accessible, interoperable, and fit for purpose marine geospatial information is essential for translating international legal and policy commitments into practical action.
During the reporting period, the joint working group considered how its work could better support the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and the BBNJ Agreement.
These discussions underscored the need for closer collaboration among the relevant communities in support of ocean governance, safety of navigation, biodiversity conservation, and sustainable development.
Finally, successful implementation of the work plan will require broad, sustained, and geographically balanced participation.
We therefore invite member states that are not yet represented to nominate experts and join the joint working group.
We also welcome the continued engagement of relevant organizations and encourage existing members to play an active role in implementing the work plan.
The committee is invited to take note of the work plan and provide guidance on its implementation.
With these remarks, I submit the report for the committee's consideration.
Thank you, Chair.
I think, miss Boatri.
I now open the floor for discussion on this item, and I kindly remind all speakers of the item limit of time, 1 minute, 30 seconds with the automatic cutoff at 1 minute, 45 seconds.
Now, I will give the floor to Belgium.
I will make a statement on behalf of UNGGM Europe.
UNGGM Europe welcome the successful consolidation of the former UNGGM and IHO working groups into its single joint mechanisms on marine geospatial information and considers this a good example of streamlining that avoids duplication and strengthens coordination.
As the BBNJ arrangement comes into force, UNDIM Europe Regional Committee recognizes the growing importance of authoritative interoperable marine geospatial information to support its implementation and encourages the joint working group to continue to close coordination with relevant legal and ocean governance process to provide technical geospatial input where relevant.
Thank you, Mr.
Chair.
I thank Belgium and now I give the floor to Gasca.
Thank you, Mr.
Fair.
We speak on behalf of the UN GGM Africa.
The Africa region welcomes the first year progress of the joint UN SGM and HSO working group and support its consolidated work plan for 2026 2030.
Africa highlights the importance of authoritative main special information for many sectors concerning the blue economy.
However, Africa's coastal and island states fama or gaps in hydrographic CoVIs modern infrastructure, time personnel and sustained finance.
Capacity development should prioritize institutional partnership, development of local expertise, operational hydrographic survey.
Africa encourages member states to nominate experts to the task teams on policy and legal issues, capacity, metadata, and document alignment.
Collaboration with African region bodies and hydrographic constitution is essential.
Africa supports our plan that addresses foundational data gaps and s f the capacity of African states to sustainably govern, manize and benefit from their marine species.
Africa recognizes the importance of interoperable standards based marine for for the agreement on biodiversity beyond national jurisdiction.
Africa for emphasize rele I land sea continuum that connects terrestrial, coastal and marine domains.
Thank you, Chair.
I thank Mad Gasc and call for Antigo and Barbeda.
Thank you, Chair.
Antigo and Barbuda takes note of the extensive and strategic focus presented in the report, welcoming the progress made by the UN GGIM and IHO joint working group on marine geospatial information.
We welcome the work plan for the future program of work as we see tremendous benefits as a seeds.
With the forward movement of Abs, we anticipate the collaborative work done through this thematic area will benefit CDs in presenting localized solutions to unique island challenges.
Therefore, we further endorse the call to the International Hydrographic Organization, regional bodies, expert groups, and other partners to strengthen engagement through capacity development.
Thank you.
I thank Ang Barbda and Cole Arak This is here.
Allow me Mr.
Chair to speak in Arabic.
Your Excellency, Mr.
Chair, ladies and gentlemen.
The delegation of Iraq expresses appreciation to the Secretariat and the joint working group for their significant effort to prepare this important report and the important achievements realized during the past period, particularly the harmonization of the work of the two teams, the development of the joint work plan 2026, 2030, strengthening international cooperation, capacity building, and the advancement of integrated management of marine geospacial information.
We also express our full support to the content of the report and emphasize the importance of continued international cooperation to develop marine geospatial data.
We also would like to make the following proposal.
The joint working group should give greater attention to the adoption of historical series of nautical charts, topographic maps, and coastal maps after correcting them and linking them geodetically to national and global geodetic reference systems.
This is one of the most important reference to support the implementation of On Clause.
To conclude, Mr.
Chair, we express our wish to join this group so that Iraq can contribute to the development and implementation of international standards on interoperability with the contribution of various national stakeholders.
Thank you.
I thank Iraq and Nicole Turka.
Mr.
Co chair.
TKA thanks the Secretariat and working group in preparation of the documentation under this item.
TKA attaches particular importance to the effective collection, management, and use of marine geo S information.
It's an essential tool for maritime safety, sustainable coastal management, disaster risk reduction, environmental monitoring, and marine scientific research.
Marine geo information should be used in a manner that promotes cooperation, confidence building, and sustainable development.
We support maintaining the technical nature of the topic and urge avoiding the politicization of the discussions on the matter.
Mr.
Co chair, we are also taking the floor to comment on certain references in the report on Integrated Marine Geo S I.
I wish to inform that Turkey is not a state party to UCLs and has consistently expressed that it does not agree with the view that UClos is a universal and unified character.
We also maintain that UCLs is not the only legal framework which regulates all activities in the oceans and seas.
Paragraph 23 of the report under this agenda item implies that maritime zones could only be established under the Room Clause.
Turkey disagrees with this claim.
Therefore, we disassociate ourselves from the reference and ask the colleagues to consider the status of non parties in the preparation of the future reports.
I thank you.
I thank Turkey and Saudi Arabia.
Thank you, Mr.
Cerro speaking Arabic.
The expresses its appreciation to the joint working group and the Secretariat for efforts deployed to enhance the management of marine geospatial information.
We welcome progress in the implementation of the joint work plan 2026 2030.
We also commend the outcomes of the first meeting of the joint working group held in Thailand in May 2026.
It indeed contributed to enhancing coordination on the institutional, technical, and hydrographic levels.
It also determined a strategic direction to advance the integrated marine geospatial information.
We believe that trusted and interoperable marine geospatial information are necessary to enhance the governance of seas and oceans, promote blue economy, and achieve sustainable development.
We also welcome the alignment of the operational framework of integrated marine geospatial information with the standards of the IMHO as well as developing guidance tools and the technical standards.
This supports the needs of member states.
We also support the continued capacity development, exchange of information, and international partnerships in order to accelerate the implementation of the joint working plan and leverage emerging technologies in the management of this information.
I thank you.
I thank Saudi Arabia and the Cole Jamaica.
Thank you, co chair.
Jamaica thanks the Secretariat for the comprehensive report on Integrated Marine Geospatial Information and welcomes the significant progress achieved by the UN GGM and the IHO joint working group.
Jamaica recognizes that the establishment of a unified governance structure and the joint work plan of 2026 to 2030 provides a strong foundation for advancing integrated Marine Geospatial Information Management in support of sustainable development, ocean governance, and climate resilience.
Jamaica welcomes the continued review and alignment of the UN IIF hydro and the IHOC 17 model, recognizing that harmonized governance, interoperable standards, and practical implementation tools are essential for strengthening national geospatial and hydrographic capabilities.
Jamaica recognizes the growing importance of the authoritative, interoperable, and standard based marine geospatial information for implementing the geospatial and data related provisions of the BBNG Agreement.
We therefore support the BBNG clearinghouse mechanism and other relevant geospatial initiatives while avoiding duplication of effort.
Jamaica remain committed to strengthening marine geospacial information through its continued collaboration with UNGGIM, the IHO and regional partners to advance sustainable ocean governance in the Caribbean.
Thank you, co chair.
I thank mica and the Cole United States.
Thank you, Mr.
Chair.
The United States recognizes the growing importance of trusted, interoperable and accessible marine geospatial information for effective ocean governance and commends the group's practical focus on executing the operational framework for integrated geospatial information, the UN IGIF hydro.
We applaud the joint working group's proactive approach in fostering stakeholder alignment between policy and implementation.
To maximize global resources and minimize administrative redundancy, the United States recommends close cooperation between active marine geospacial initiatives and the clearinghouse mechanism established by the Agreement on Marine biological diversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction or BBNJ.
We emphasize that the joint working group, as the leading expert body on marine geospatial data, is uniquely positioned to provide the technical expertise needed to support BBNJ geospatial frameworks while fully respecting national mandates.
Thank you, Mr.
Chair.
I thank the United States and call Sweden.
Thank you, Chair.
Full statement has been submitted and this is a shorter version.
Sweden thanks the joint working group on Marine Geospatial Information for its comprehensive report.
Sweden commends a strong collaboration between you and GJM and the IHO where the joint working group demonstrates how established expert communities can combine complementary expertise to address complex global challenges.
Sweden therefore strongly supports recognizing the joint working group on Marine Geospatial Information as a key reference partner with implementation of the BBNG agreement.
Thank you.
I thank Sweden and Cole Inncia Thank you, Mr.
Co chairs.
Indonesia welcome unified mechanism between U and the GRM and the HIH to reduce duplication, strengthen coordination and harmonize global guidance and standards.
Indonesia support practical implementation guidance and capacity development for developing countries and small island developing states covering technical skills, governance, institutional coordination, data sharing, and sustainable financing.
We also emphasize trusted information, data traceability and sovereignty, and seamless integration across terrestrial, coastal, marine, and cattoral domains.
Finally, Indonesia expresses its interest to co chairing the joint working group.
Thank you for chair.
I thank Indonesia and Nicole Singapore.
Thank you, Chair.
Singapore has submitted its full statement and will proceed with its shortened intervention.
The BBNJ agreement entered into force on 17 January 2026.
The implementation of the agreement, including measures such as A based management tools and marine protected areas, will depend on access to reliable and interoperable geospacial information supported by appropriate standards and metadata.
In this regard, Singapore recognizes the relevance of the work of the UN Committee of experts on global Geospatial Information Management and the IHO through their joint working group on marine geospial information to the geospatial and data related aspects of the implementation of the agreement under the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea on the conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction and encourages cooperation as appropriate between relevant existing geospacial initiatives and the clearing house mechanism established under the agreement with a view to promoting interoperability, supporting capacity building, and avoiding unnecessary duplication of efforts.
We invite delegations to join Singapore in supporting this position, which highlights the practical value of marine geospatial information in supporting the implementation of international legal instruments, including unclosed and its related agreements.
Thank you, Chair.
I thank San and call South Africa.
Chair, South Africa welcomes the report and support the consolidated UNGJM and IHO Joint working group.
Integrated marine geospatial information is critical for maritime safety, environmental stewardship, and resilient coastal development.
South Africa supports the 2026 2030 joint W P and is pleased to volunteer to join the working group and to contribute actively to capacity development and metadata task teams.
South Africa welcomes the strengthened collaboration and capacity development efforts, particularly in support of the developing countries.
South Africa therefore supports strengthened cooperation, capacity development, and interoperability to advance authoritative marine geospatial information for the implementation of the BBNJ Agreement.
Thank you chair.
I thank South Africa and call France.
Thank you, Mr.
Chair.
With your permission, I will continue in French.
La France.
France welcomes progress made in the first year of the activity of the joint working group, UNGM, IHO on Marine Geospatial Information.
We welcome the joint governance, the adoption of a shared vision, and the joint work program.
We support the priorities, capacity building, improving data and data interoperability, and strengthening integration between terrestrial and marine information.
We also believe it useful that There is the prospect of UN IGF hydro and the C 17 publication of the IHO to bring closer together in order to provide states tools more directly.
We take note with interest of the proposal presented by Singapore regarding the contribution of the joint working group on the implementation of the BBNJ.
France agrees that geospatial marine data and their interoperability are important in terms of their implementation and In principle, strengthening cooperation between existing geospatial initiatives and mechanisms stipulated in the agreement.
We underscore that the question of the implementation does nonetheless remain open.
Establishing thematic teams is progress, but the work program would benefit rather better identifying the results.
So France would encourage the joint working group to develop some pilot projects with a voluntary with states who want to be involved on land sea integration, interoperable metadata, developing capacity, and geospatial needs linked to the BBNG, thank you.
I thank France and Co India.
Thank you.
Thank you, Chair.
India appreciate the continued work of the UN GGM IHO joint working group and welcome the joint B plan for 2026 and 20 2030.
India recognizes the importance of authoritative standard based maritime S Facility information for sustainable ocean governance, the blue economy, climateence, and the sustainable development goal.
We support greater integration of terrestriial, coastal and maritime US facility information through interoperable standard and maritime special data infrastructure.
India also supports capacity development and international cooperation for implementing the operational framework for integrated Maritime Special Information Management.
Thank you, Chair.
I thank IA and Nicole China.
Thank you, Mr.
Chair.
China appreciates achievements made by the joint working group during its first year and fully recognizes the joint working groups contribution to the formulation of the 2026 to 2030 work plan and other related efforts.
In recent years, China has continuously advanced the integration of safe vertical datums, successfully realized the precise conversion between the high datum and the depth statum in the coastal waters of China and completed its application in 11 coastal provinces and cities across the country.
China is ready to share relevant practices with third countries actively aligned with international standards provide useful reference for international cooperation under the UNGGM framework and jointly promotes integration of marine Sp information and enhance interoperability.
China recognizes a valuable role of the joint working group in supporting the geospacial and data related aspects of the implementation of the BBNG agreements and supports the cooperation between relevant existing geospacial initiatives and the clearing house mechanism established under the agreement.
In this regard, China is also actively developing relevant geospatial information products to support BBNG related activities.
Including the ongoing development of the digital atlas of salmon basic habitats.
We look forward to sharing these products with relevant stakeholders upon completion and exploring further opportunities for collaboration.
Thank you, Mr.
Chair.
I thank China and all Canada.
Thank you, Mr.
Chairman.
I will speak in French.
Canada Canada recognizes the importance of having clear guidelines to monitor geospatial information on BBNJ to establish to this end, a geospatial framework based on experts advice and norms pertaining to data and metadata, Canada, in particular, encourages the joint working group on marine geospatial information to continue the extension of S 100 standards to the International Hydrographic Organization over and beyond their use for navigation.
Canada underscores furthermore the value of reliable marine geospatial information that is interoperable and accessible both for the BBNJ Agreement and for other essential marine initiatives that would draw from the unique expertise and efforts of the joint working group on marine geospatial information to strengthen dialogue between legal communities and geospatial marine communities.
Canada welcomes the joint working program of the JWG and will support the work of the Vice chair and its participation in the sub working groups, in particular, by focusing on capacity building thanks to modernizing guidance documents.
I thank you.
Thank you, Canada, and I Republic of Korea.
Thank you, Chair.
The Republic of Korea welcomes the report and supports the joint working groups 2026 to 23rd work plan, particularly focused on standards and interoperability, capacity building, and practical cooperation.
We will also support Singapore's points on the group's technical contribution to BB&Z implementation while avoiding duplication.
This year, Qua participated in the group's virtual meetings, the Qiang Mai expert meeting, and the ocean and Sea Governance webinar.
Building on these discussions, Qua will prepare a police brief on its MISDI services and share best practices in 100 based data, land c3d based maps, distal twins and metadata.
Korea will also contribute to the task team and peer learning activities.
Thank you, Chair.
I thank the Republic of Korea and the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
Thank you, Chair.
The Kingdom of the Netherlands complements the UN GGIM and AIHO joint working group on Marine Geospatial Information with its smooth uptake of momentum in its first year of existence during its first physical meeting in Thailand last May.
The progress is very well aligned with the adoption of the BBNG Agreement.
Kingdom of the Netherlands would like to encourage the collaboration of the joint working group with the UNESCO Intergovernmental OceoGographic Commission and Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea, as it showed to be very powerful during the recent UNGGIM webinar.
We would like to encourage building permanent liaisons between the groups to further improve collaboration and to avoid duplication of work.
The Kingdom of the Netherlands sees further possibilities for integration in coastal areas where integrated area based management across land and sea can benefit from information management that brings together geospatial as well as statistical information.
The Kingdom of the Netherlands considers integrated capacity building, combining FELA, MSP Global, and IGF hydro knowledge to have high potential value for coastal communities, especially for small island development states.
The Kingdom of the Netherlands recommends bringing the work of the joint working group to the attention of regional UN GGM communities and other relevant bodies.
Thank you, Chair.
I thank the Kingdom of the Netherlands and call Mexico.
Thank you, Chair.
Mexico expresses its interest in continuing to contribute actively to international efforts aimed at strengthening, integrating, reduced information.
In this regard, we express our position to collaborate in technical work linked to documentary management and metadata management.
We believe that these are essential elements to promote interoperability, accessibility, and effective exchange of information between member states.
Similarly, we also believe it is important for the work aimed at administrating reference framework standards and international programs to be accompanied by guidance and implementation tools that can be adapted to the distinct institutional and legal realities in different countries.
This will contribute to facilitating the practical implementation of the agreements reached and to strengthening broader adoption national frameworks.
Mexico also highlights that marine geospatial information that is interoperable and reliable depends on robust and sustainable geodetic information systems.
We encourage the joint working group to continue its effort and to work closely with the global Center of Excellence in geodetics of the United Nations in order to build consistent frameworks that support the management analysis and management of marine and geospatial information areas.
I Thank you.
I thank Mexico and Norway.
Thank you, Chair.
Norway takes note of the report.
Norway underlines the need for alternative and interoperable marine geospatial information and believes that the joint working group with active involvement from the International Hydrographic Organization has the potential to significantly strengthen efforts related to marine geospatial information and in advancing the objectives of the committee.
Norway encouraged the joint working group to cooperate with the BBNDA clearinghouse mechanism and all relevant UN Marine geospatial information providers, especially under the Convention on the law of the sea, respecting those member states that are not part of the convention.
Norway looks forward to continuing its active participation in the joint working group.
Thank you, chair.
I thank Norway and Australia.
Thank you.
Australia welcomes the report and acknowledges the progress of the joint working group on marine geospatial information during its first year as a consolidated mechanism.
Australia welcomes Singapore's proposal to the committee and supports the inclusion of language to recognize the role the joint working group on marine geospatial information can play in supporting the implementation of the agreement on BB&J.
Australia acknowledges the strong alignment to the capacity building and transfer of marine technology objectives of the BB&J Agreement and its overarching objective to promote further international cooperation and coordination.
High seas marine protected areas will particularly benefit from better availability and integration of marine geospatial information.
Here, the joint working group is well positioned contribute relevant geospacial expertise and practical guidance that enables collaboration in this global priority.
Australia continues to support and promote UN IGIF hydro through the IHO Southwest Pacific Hydrographic Commission and our commitment to regional capacity building.
Thank you.
I thank Australia and Cole Philippines.
Thank you, Mr.
Chair.
The Philippines welmes the successful consolidation of the former UN GGIM and IHO working group into a single unified joint working group, noting that it optimizes global coordination and resources.
The Philippines also reiterates its support as a member of the capacity development Task team.
The Philippines also expresses its support for the proposal introduced by Singapore to recognize the role of the joint working group on marine geospatial information in supporting the implementation of the BBNJ agreement.
The proposal emphasizes cooperation, complementarity, and the avoidance of duplication.
It encourages active collaboration between existing geospatial initiatives and the clearinghouse mechanism established under the BBNJ agreement, focused on promoting data interoperability and supporting capacity building.
Thank you.
I thank Philippines and the court of the United Kingdom.
Thank you, Chair.
Our full statement has been shared with the Secretariat.
As marine geospatial information becomes increasingly critical to the implementation of international commitments, including UCLs and the BBNJ Agreement, the UK believes that equal emphasis should be placed on effective data governance, stewardship, metadata, quality management, and traceability.
The UK supports the strategic direction set out in the report and the 2026 to 2030 work plan.
We look forward to continuing to support this work as an active member.
We welcome the recognition that the authoritative, interoperable, and trusted marine geospatial information is fundamental to sustainable development, climate resilience, ocean government governance, and broader environmental, social and economic outcomes.
The UK welcomes the alignment of the operational framework for integrated Marine geospatial information management with IHOC 17, recognizing the importance of practical guidance, common standards, and capacity development.
To support implementation by member states.
The UK supports continued collaboration between hydrographic, geospatial, legal, and ocean communities and encourages the working group to continue demonstrating how integrated marine geospatial information delivers practical benefits for navigation, environmental protection, the blue economy, climate resilience, and maritime security.
Thank you, Chair.
I thank the United Kingdom and Cole Chile.
Thank you, Mr.
Chairman.
I speak in Spanish.
Chile takes note of the report and highlights the progress of the joint working with with the IHO during the first year.
We welcome the work plan and we believe that it's a priority to advance in capacity development, interoperability, metadata, and standard implementation, promoting active participation of national experts.
We support the strengthening of cooperation between the United Nations, the IIHO regional bodies, and other partners to drive peer to peer learning and practical implementation of these initiatives.
Chile recognizes that effective implementation of the BB&A Agreement requires authorized marine geospac information that is interoperable and based on standards, we highlight the importance of strengthening coordination with international initiatives that already exist, avoiding duplication and promoting standards such as SS 21 and 22 for the protection of protected marine areas and borders.
Thank you.
Thank you, Chile and I call Italy.
Thank you, Mr.
Chair.
Italy welcome on the report of the joint working group and its recognition of the growing relationship between marine just Passion information, the law at sea and related policy and legal frameworks.
We are honored by the confidence placed in Italy in leading the policy and legal task team and we look forward to contributing to the collective effort on implementing the joint work plan.
Italy aligns itself with the statement delivered by Singapore and fully supports its position.
The joint working group is well positioned to provide a practical contribution within the Esing mandate.
It could help identify the explicit and implicit just passion information requirements arising from the B&J agreement that allow it to be implemented consistently and efficiently, complementing the value work to be carried out by the bodies established under the agreement.
In addition, Italy would like to signal the opportunity for the present delegation to re with the legal advisor of their permanent and mission to support the inclusion of marine geospasial information management in the composite streamlined list of issues that could benefit from attention to the future work of the General Assembly of Ocean on the Law of the Sea through the work of the United Nations open ended informal consultative process on ocean and the lay of the sea.
Finally, I would like to congratulate and thank the government, and the Geographic department, the Royal Navy for successfully hosting the first in person meeting of the joint working group in Chinai.
Thank you, Mr.
Chair.
I thank Italy and call PG.
Thank you, Mr.
Chair.
My delegation thanks the UN IMIHO Joint Working Group, the Secretariat and contributing member states for their report.
As a large ocean state and one of the founding pillars of the global ocean governance architecture, Fiji recognizes that reliable marine spatial information is essential for sustainable development, resilience, maritime security, and informed decision making.
Fiji reaffirms the importance of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and Clause as a legal framework within which all activities in the ocean and seas must be carried out.
FG also underscores the importance of the complementary relationship between AN Clause and the BB&J Agreement with robust marine geospatial information providing a vital foundation for implementing both instruments through improved marine and special planning, conservation, jurisdictional clarity, and evidence based ocean governance.
We encourage continued collaboration with regional and international partners and support the proposed language proposed by Singapore.
Accessible interoperable and authoritative marine geospacial information will be critical to effective ocean governance, implementation of the BB&J Agreement and capacity development.
My delegation supports the report and the work plan and stands ready to contribute to their implementation.
Thank you, Mr.
Chair.
Thank you, Fiji and ICON now the Private Sector Network.
Thank you, Mr.
Chair.
I will deliver two statements, on behalf of the private sector network and the other for UN GGM Americas.
To shortened statement.
The private sector network welcomes the report and the progress of the Joint Group on Marine geospatial information.
We particularly support the work plans focus on interoperability, capacity development, and innovation, and the emphasis on moving from frameworks to practical implementation.
The Private Sector network through its representatives, Ezra and Frugl is willing to serve on the joint working group and contribute to its staff teams, bringing industry expertise to support the work plans implementation.
Now for the statement from UN GGM Americas.
UN GGM Americans welcomes the report of the joint working group and the practical direction of its 2026 to 2030 work plan.
UNGGIM Americans welcomes the report and recognizes that across the Americas, integrated marine geospatial information is essential infrastructure, supporting coastal and climate resilience, critical infrastructure, maritime security, sustainable ecosystems, and blue economy development.
We particularly welcome the emphasis on capacity development, the land sea interface, standards, and stronger engagement with policy and legal communities.
Capacity development, however, must go beyond short term training, so sustained investment in people, institutions, and authoritative interoperable data that can be translated into better decisions.
Encourage practical demonstration initiatives across the Americas, including the Caribbean CDs that reflect our diverse regional realities and generate lessons that can be shared globally.
UGGIM America stands ready to help connect global expertise with regional priorities and advanced implementation that is regionally supported and nationally owned.
I thank you.
I thank the UNGM America and the private sector.
Now I call the IHO Thank you, Mr.
Chair.
The IIHO welcomes the joint working groups first year of operation and the substantive work plan now in place for 2026 to 2030.
The IHO strongly supports the work to bring C 17 and UN IGIF hydro into closer alignment as it will give member states a coherent, complementary reference rather than two parallel frameworks.
On BBNJ, we support the work plans explicit inclusion of the agreement under the group's task team on policy and legal.
We agree that the joint working group is well placed to contribute technical guidance while supporting, not duplicating BBNJ's own institutions, likely through cooperation with the agreements clearinghouse mechanism.
The IHO welcomes and fully supports the language proposed by Singapore as presented in the written intervention for inclusion in the committee's report as a useful basis for member states to table the language for inclusion in the General Assembly resolution on oceans and Law of the Sea at its 81st session.
The IHO further notes the opportunity for delegations to support the inclusion of marine geospatial information management in the future work of the General Assembly through the United Nations open ended informal consultative process on oceans and Law of the Sea.
Thank you, Mr.
Chair.
I thank the IHO and the Pacific community.
Thank you, Mr.
Chair.
The Pacific community welcomes the report of the UN GGM and International Hydrographic Organization joint working group on Marine geospatial Information and commends its successful transition into a unified global mechanism with a clear mandate, governance structure, and work plan for 2026 to 2030.
We also welcome the outcomes of the FS meeting held in Thailand.
For the Pacific region, integrated marine geospacial information is not an abstract technical concept.
It's fundamental to our sustainable development, climate resilience, ocean governance, maritime boundaries, disaster preparedness, environmental steoy, blue economy aspirations.
As custodians of one of the largest ocean regions on Earth, Pacific small island developing states depend on authoritative, interoperable, and trusted marine geospacial information to support evidence based decision making across land, coastal and ocean domains.
SPC particularly welcomes the establishment of the capacity development task team led by Tonga and recognize the important leadership role that Pacific countries continue to play in advancing integrated marine geospatial information management globally.
SPC further supports the emphasis on standards, metadata, interoperability, and the alignment of UNICEF, hydro, and IHOC 17.
These efforts are essential to improving the discoverability, accessibility and usability of marine data while enabling integration across marine, terretrial and elsrial information system.
The Pacific community notes the growing importance of Marine Geo special information in supporting the implementation of international legal instruments, including UNCLOS and the BBNJ agreement.
I thank the a community and call the European Association of Remote Sensing Companies.
Thank you, Mr.
Chair.
I speak on behalf of FRS, representing Europe's Earth observation service industry in collaboration with the European Space Agency.
We welcome the UN GIA NTO joint working group and we support East WOR plan.
ERS and ISA welcomed the work on policy and legal issues, capacity development, metadata, and document management to align these international Marine data guidance frameworks.
The European Union Ocean Observation Initiative, Ocean Eye brings together Earth observation, inst observation, and digital technologies while Copernicus Marine Services edito the core infrastructure on European Digital Twin of the Ocean and Eon Net, the European Marine Observation and Data Network underpin services supporting the European Ocean Act and the Marine Strategy Framework Directive.
These initiatives offer useful lessons on interoperability, metadata, and innovation.
However, it is also important to understand the other socioeconomical benefits.
For example, an ongoing group of Earth observation Blue Planet in this activity in Martinique using satellite based sargassum forecasting based on Copernicus data is estimating that these services could avoid $5-20 million in economic losses annually, assuming forecasting reduces regional impacts by 10-20%.
Working with information sharing systems should make data easier to find, track, verify, and reuse responsibly while supporting assisting work and avoiding duplication.
ERs and ISA stand ready to contribute operational earth observation experience.
Thank you very much.
We have heard the last vehicle and the discussion on this item, and I now call Mr.
Lessor to summarize the main points of the discussions.
Thank you, Mr.
Chair.
The Committee of Expert welcome the report of the UNH joint working group on Marine geospatial information, the successful consolidation of the former UGIM and IHO working groups into a single joint mechanism on marine geospatial information, and its work plan for 2026 2030 and outcomes of its first meeting.
The committee of expert recognized the growing importance of trusted, interoperable and accessible marine geospacial information for effective ocean governance to address climate resilience, safe navigation, promote blue economy, preserve marine biological diversity, and advance sustainable development.
The committee of experts supported the joint working group's work to review, align, and further develop UN IGF hydroO and IHO publication C 17 as complementary reference documents with a view to addressing gaps, reducing duplication, ensuring interoperability, and promoting coherent, practical, and up to date guidance from member states and requested the joint working group to finalize the resulting updated guidance through consultation with member states and relevant stakeholders and submit it to the committee at its upcoming sessions.
The committee of Expert encourage member states, United Nations entities, the IHO members, regional committees, relevant functional groups, thematic network standards development organization and other partners to strengthen their participation and contributions to the joint working group, including through peer learning, exchange of good practices, implementation support with particular attention to developing countries.
The Committee of Expert recognized the relevance of the work of the UN GGIM NIHO joint working group on marine geospatial information to the geospatial and data related aspects of the implementation of the agreement under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea on the conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction, while respecting member states not part of the convention and institutional mandates.
And encouraged the joint working group to engage with relevant United Nations entities, experts, geospacial initiatives, and the clearinghouse mechanism established under the agreement.
Thank you, Mr.
Chair.
I thank Mr.
LaSort and all delegations for their valuable contribution to the interesting exchange of views in this item.
The committee has thus concluded this stage of its consideration of agenda item number 13.
Now we are moving to Item 14, policy and legal framework, including issues related to the authoritative data and emerging technology.
The committee will now take up agenda 14 entitled Policy and the Legal Framework, including issues related to the authoritative data and emerging technologies.
I invite miss Christina C co chair of the GGIM work group policy and the legal framework for the Geospatial Management and the Senior Policy advisor to the Center of Mapping and the Earth Observation of Canada to take the introducer seat in the podium.
For this item, the committee has before it note by the Secretariat entitled Policy and Legal Framework, including issue related to the authoritative data and emerging technology contained and documents slash C dot slash 2026 slash 15 and its addendum.
I now give the floor to miss Erskn to introduce the documents.
Thank you.
I will begin my remarks in English.
In the interests of time, I will share an abbreviated version.
True to its tradition since its founding in 2017, our working group continues its mission to respond to the need for policy and legal frameworks that ensure effective, lawful, and transparent solutions to real world problems.
Over the intersectional period, activities and deliverables on emerging policy and legal topics have been undertaken, including one document presented as a background paper under agenda item six on the topic of AI and authoritative data.
The working group is also notably undertaking updates to the UN IGIF Strategic Pathway two on Legal and Policy with a focus on ensuring this pathway remains resilient and addresses recent international development agendas.
We thank all working group members and participants for their expert contributions, including at the side event on August 3rd.
These initiatives highlight the growing importance and impact of emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, and the working group will continue to identify the key policy and legal considerations, challenges and opportunities associated with them.
I will now speak in French.
The working group continues to push forward the other objectives in its updated working plan 2025, 2027 by focusing on communication on political and legal questions that are complex in nature to this end.
The working group is planning activities seeking to draft and develop communication supports on political and legal topics tackled by this.
Before concluding, the working group recommends its report to the committee of experts and would invite member states to share with it their opinions, their thoughts, and their contributions regarding questions and considerations that it has before it and also on the best path forward, including issues for discussions.
I thank you.
I thank Mr.
Hirschkorn.
Now, I open the floor for discussion on this item, and I will kindly remind you all speaker of the time limits, 1 minute and 30 seconds with an automatic cutoff at 1 minute, 45 seconds.
Now I give the floor to India.
Thank you, Chair.
A geospacial information, increasing sports, digital public infrastructure, AI enabled applications, and evidence based governance.
It is essential to establish policies that promote innovation while ensuring data quality, authenticity, privacy, accountability, and public trust.
India supports the proposed update of strategic pathway two of UN IGIF so that it reflects evolving technologies, international policy development, and the implementation experiences of member states.
The success of AI depends fundamentally on the availability of authoritative, high quality and AI ready geospatial data.
Policies governing AI should encourage innovation while ensuring that geospatial information remains reliable, explainable, secure, and fit for public decision making.
This was the shorter version of statement from India.
Thank you, Chair.
I thank India and Saudi Arabia.
Thank you, Cho speak in Arabic.
It is with great recognition and appreciation that we received the report of the committee of experts, and we congratulate them for the work undertaken and especially for their work in updating Workstream two and the handling of legal questions relating to emerging technologies and AI.
We have supported the strengthening of integrated geospatial information systems, notably by creating a pilot environment aimed at developing technologies linked to emerging technologies We have held meetings and worked on capacity building, and we are happy to state that we will continue our support for the working group and to support greater cooperation for better geospatial information management so that we can keep pace with the development of emerging technologies nationally and internationally.
I thank you.
I think Saudi Arabia and the cold Ireland.
This statement is on behalf of U NGGIM Europe, who welcomes the proposed update to the United Nations Integrated Geospatial Information Framework, Strategic Pathway two on Policy and Legal.
Is pleased to note the active coordination already underway with the high level group of the IGIF to ensure consistency of approach.
Europe Regional Committee believes that this coordination is an integral part of the process, particularly given the number of related outputs feeding into this update to ensure the revised strategic pathway remains coherent and avoids duplication of effort.
Given the UK JGGKIC central role in supporting UN IGIF implementation on the ground, the Europe Regional Committee would suggest that the center also be engaged as part of this process.
On the broader question of AI readiness for authoritative geospatial information, UN GDIM Europe considers that further work should clarify the key characteristics of authoritative and AI ready geospatial information, as well as the respective responsibilities of data providers, platform operators, and developers of AI based applications.
AI readiness has already been discussed in other UA groups, the Ugali Group, Citigroup and AI readiness, and we encourage the working group to approach and coordinate with these.
Europe also suggests that the working group creates an inventory of the various UN agreements and legal instruments that have a geospatial component, such as the recently adopted BBNJ Agreement to further strengthen the argument of the value and importance of geospatial within the UN system.
Thank you, chair.
I thank Ireland and the Cole Togo.
Monsieur Le President.
Mr.
Chair, Togo is conveying this on behalf of the African group.
Africa welcomes the report and supports the update to so that it is adapted to a swiftly changing digital environment.
These policies must foster innovation and protect public authorities and ensure that the public has trust in it.
The state of preparation for AI for geospatial data, is not just a technical issue.
It requires a clear attribution of responsibilities in terms of geodata management in Alia and to ensure that it's in conformity with the law protecting private life and cybersecurity.
Representative data is key as are the relevant skills, as are accountability mechanisms for decisions taken.
Africa cautions against approaches that can global governance to private sector.
The governments must maintain sovereignty over national information, and they must have the ability to audit the results that stem from automated systems.
The update of Workstream two is positive here.
It should deal with data that is cross border in nature, public private partnerships.
The speaker's microphone has been cut off.
Excuse me, excuse me.
The time is off.
Excuse me.
I think the UN GGI in Africa and I call now Indonesia.
Thank you, Mr.
Chair.
Indonesia support updating strategic pathway two to reflect AI, automated decision making, and the growing role of the private data providers.
Revised guidance should address data custodianship, authenticity, licensing, liability, privacy, cybersecurity, and the balance between open data, public benefit, and legitimate national security interests.
Indonesia support making authoritative partial information AI ready, but readiness must include transparent provenance, Quality information, clear licensing and accountability, as well as mechanism to distinguish trusted official data from unreliable sources.
Stronger engagement with legal professionals, regulators, academia, and the private sector is essential.
Innovation should be enabled through proportionate and adaptable governance that protects public trust, public interest, and national sovereignty.
Thank you, Mr.
Chair.
I thank Indonesia and Con Bahamas.
Thank you, Chad.
Bahas welcome to the report of the working group and supports the continued efforts to address the evolving policy and legal considerations associated with emerging technologies in geospatial information management.
We recognize the growing importance of AI readiness and maintaining authoritative, trusted and interoperable geospatial information.
The Obamas also supports the proposed update of strategic path 32 of the United Nations Integrated geospacial Information Framework to ensure it remains responsive to the rapidly evolving digital and geospatial landscape.
We also welcome the background paper on high definition mapping of autonomous navigation and support the development of practical communication materials on policy and legal issues, including authoritative data and data for public good These resources will assist the member states in strengthening governance frameworks and promoting responsible use of geospatial information.
Bahamas remains committed to working with member states and partners in advancing these important initiatives.
Thank you.
I thank Bahamas and Nicole Italy.
Thank you, Chair.
Italy welcomes the report and fully support the efforts of the working group to strengthen partnership within the legal community, develop practical communication materials and update strategic pathway two of the Integrated just partial Information Framework.
Chair, as international law continues to evolve, an increasing number of international legal instruments contain just partial information requirements.
Yet these requirements are rarely identifies it as such.
We believe that identify these requirements would be a valuable contribution in itself.
It's work that is not currently undertaken as somewhere and it for naturally within the working group's mandate to build bridges between the legal and just spatial communities.
The recently entered in force of BBNJ agreement provides one timely example, but certainly not the only one.
Similar opportunity may arise under the other international legal instruments.
Accordingly, Italy will welcome consideration on the perspective in the future work on the working group.
Thank you.
I thank Italy and Chile.
Chair, I will give shortened statement in Spanish.
Chile takes note with satisfaction of the report of the working group on policy and legal frameworks and we congratulate their co chairs, Canada and Saudi Arabia for their leadership.
We're so grateful to you for organizing the third experts meeting.
Chile considers that the updating of strategic pathway two, policy and legal aspects of the UNIGIF should recognize AI and other emerging technologies in a cs cutting way guiding member states through the modernization of their legal frameworks and national plans.
We take note of the document on high definition mapping for autonomous driving and takes note of the standards frameworks that guarantee the precision, reliability and protection of privacy in the use of this data.
Finally, Chile supports the development of guiding materials and clear language on policy and legal aspects and we propose making progress in some model terms for AI and other regulatory standpoints is promoting innovation, trust, and authorized data protection.
I thank you.
I thank Chile and Cole Argentina.
Thank you, Chair Argentina takes note of and is grateful for the report of the working group.
We recognize the important work of the updating of strategic pathway two, and we value this was carried out in close coordination with the high level group in this regard as the co lead of the strategic team for continuous monitoring and improvement of the high level group, Argentina expresses its readiness to support the liaison in an efficient way.
I thank you.
I thank Argentina and call Austria.
Thank you, Mr.
Chair.
Austria strongly supports the working group's effort to advance partnerships with the legal community and establish clear policy frameworks for emerging technologies like AI and automated navigation.
For the legal community, authoritative geospatial information provides the necessary AI readiness, data provenance, and legal certainty, which is required to resolve critical issues surrounding liability, data ownership, and privacy in automated systems.
Furthermore, bridging the knowledge gap between legal experts and geospatial professionals ensures that national governance frameworks remain agile, protecting public trust, while enabling responsible technological innovation for the public good.
Austria looks forward to participate actively in the working group.
Thank you, Mr.
Chair.
I thank Austria and South Africa to the report and support the update of UN IGIF Strategic pathway two.
We further support an inclusive process of updating strategy pathway two with developing country and African legal perspectives.
South Africa supports a risk based approach to artificial intelligence and authoritative transpial information.
Public authorities must be able to audit outputs and remain accountable for decisions.
Procurement should address portability, access to documentation, cybersecurity, intellectual property, and avoidance of vendor lock in.
South Africa supports concise policy resources on authoritative data and data for public good.
Innovation should reinforce trusted institutions, lawful governance and public value.
Technology must remain a means to improve decisions, not a substitute for accountability.
Thank you, Sir.
I thank South Africa and the cold China.
Thank you, Mr.
Chairman.
China appreciates the efforts of the working group in actively addressing the policy and legal challenges in special information governance and advancing the implementation of the AI legal framework initiatives and welcomes the high quality output developed by the working group.
China supports the working group about the UN IGF part two updating, endorses the inclusive expertise principle and encourages color collaboration with legal technical community to build a coordinated global special information governance system.
China suggests that the subsequent work of the working group should balance technology innovation and security governance, as well as general rules and national differences fully incorporate the practical experience and reasonable demands of developing country, continuous refine norms on data sovereignty and data security.
Optimize governance rules for emerging technologies, and improve country specific implementation guidelines so as to continuous enhance the inclusiveness, standardization, and effectiveness of global special information governance.
China will continue to practice in key work of the working group, including the updating of the strategic paths, research on technology regulation, and policy discussions on cutting age scenarios.
They think China and they called Belgium.
I will speak in French.
L.
The Kingdom of Belgium welcomes the report on the political policy and legal frameworks and thanks to the members of the committee for their work.
Belgium supports the proposal of Italy that during the intercession period, it is deemed a priority to identify in the different contexts recently adopted, for example, in the BBN J agreement, anything that directly or indirectly links or refers to geospatial information, this would contribute to the priority work to do with preparing the SDGs for the after 2030 period.
I thank you.
I thank Belgium and Norway.
Thank you, Chair.
Norway takes note of the report and echoes the proposal by Italy and others to create an inventory of various UN agreements and legal instruments that have a significant impact on a significant geospacial component, such as the recently adopted BBNJ agreement.
Thank you, Chair.
I thank Norway and call European Association of Remote Sensing Companies on behalf of the EARSC and European Space Agency.
Thank you, Mr.
Chair.
I speak on behalf of FRS representing Europe's Surf observation service industry in collaboration with European Space Agency.
We welcome the working group progress on authoritative and emergent technologies.
AI Spatial services can support climate action, disaster management, land and marine monitoring, and SDGs reporting.
However, artificial intelligence can only be trusted if it is using high quality data that is ready for AI.
Each dataset should clearly explain where information came from, how it was produced, and how its accuracy was checked.
It should be also supported by rules and oversight suited to level of risk.
According to a 2025 European Space Agency report, Europe Earth observation system distributes around 500 terabytes of sentinel data every day to more than 1 million users.
At this scale, clear information about the source of the data and strong quality checks are essential to ensure reliable artificial intelligence results.
The EU AI Act and the Data Act demonstrate how proportionate risk based rules can support innovation, interoperability, and public trust.
In line with this approach, ERC is helping Europe's earth observation industry prepare for compliance while the European Space Agency is integrating traceability, documentation, licensing, transparency, and interoperability, data governance into his AI projects and Copernicus data infrastructures.
ERSk and ISA stand ready to contribute operational implementation experience.
Thank you very much.
I thank AS and the European Space Agency stakeholder engagement facilities.
They are the last speakers.
After the last speaker, we have heard the last speaker in the discussion on this item.
And now I call Mr.
Lasolt to summarize the main points of the discussions.
Thank you, Mr.
Chair.
The Committee of Expert welcomed the progress of the working group in addressing complex policy and legal issues arising from emerging technologies and trends in geospatial information management and recognize the growing importance of authoritative geospatial information for digital sovereignty, automated navigations, and artificial intelligence readiness.
The committee of expert endorsed the proposed work program and timeline for updating Strategic Pathway two policy and legal of the United Nations Integrated Geospatial Information Framework.
Noted with satisfaction the active coordination already underway with the high level group of the Integrated Geospatial Information Framework to ensure consistency of approach.
Recommended to include the United Nations Global Geospatial Knowledge and Innovation Center to the update, and finally, recommended a broad consultation with member states and relevant stakeholders to ensure that the guidance remains current, fit for purpose, and responsive to the evolving digital and geospatial landscape.
The Committee of Expert took note of the background paper presented under the future geospacial ecosystem by the working group and recommended that the working group prepares an inventory of the various United Nations Agreements, convention, legal instruments that have direct or implied geospatial obligations or references, such as the recently adopted BBNJ to further highlight the importance of geospatial information within global agendas.
Finally, the committee times the time.
Finally, in less than 2 minutes, welcome the planned development of concise communication ready materials on policy and legal issues, including related to authoritative data P one and P two and data for public good in the digital world and encourage their dissemination and use by member states to strengthen awareness and implementation of the committee's normative guidance.
Thank you, Mr.
Chair.
I thank Mr.
Lisold and all delegations for their valuable contribution to an interesting exchange of view on this item.
The committee has thus concluded this stage of its consideration of agenda 14.
Now we are moving to item 15, implementation and adoption of the standard for the global Jews spatial information community.
Community will now turn to agenda 15 entitled Implementation and the adoption of Standards for the Global Geospatial Information Community.
I invited Mr.
Richard Steven, representing the three Standards Development Organization and the Senior Director at the Orban Geospial Consortium to take the introducer seat in the podium.
Under this item, the committee has before note by the Secretariat entitled Implementation and the adoption of Standards for the Global Geospatial Information Community contained in documents E slash C 20 slash 2026 slash 16 and its addendum.
I now give the floor to Mr.
Richard Steven to introduce the report.
Okay.
Thank you, Mr.
Chair.
Distinguished representatives, delegates, observers and colleagues, I'm pleased to introduce the latest report outlining the work of the Open Geospatial Consortium OGC, the International Organization for Standardization ISO Technical Committee 211, and the International Hydrographic Organization IHO and contributions to the implementation and adoption of geospatial standards during the intersectional period.
The Open Geo Spatial Consortium continued to advance practical interoperable standards through its building blocks, approach, and code sprints, modernizing the OGC API standards framework, key highlights include building a foundation for integrity, provenance, and trust, IPT framework to enhance data credibility, and the conduct of test beds and pilots addressing real world challenges and climate services, disaster response, marine spatial data infrastructure, and digital twins.
OGC also advanced open science principles through collaborative initiatives co sponsored by NASA, ISA, and European Union.
ISOTC 211 continued to harmonize and maintain the ISO 19 100 family of geospatial standards in support of the NIGIF, the global Geodetic reference frame, and the framework for effective and administration.
Significant progress was made on the revision of the land administration domain model L ADM to encompass both land and marine context, the advancement of addressing standards ISO 9160 and land cover and land use classification ISO 9144.
The committee further strengthened standards for metadata, data quality, and interoperability and alignment with fair data principles, while actively promoting participation from developing countries through its standards and action seminars.
The International Hydrographic Organization IHO advanced the S 100 Universal hydrographic Data Model.
With the operation and release of key phase one and phase two product specifications, including the S one oh one electronic navigational chart and seven marine data products.
The S 100 roadmap through 2030 supports mandatory carriage requirements aligned with IMO regulatory timelines.
IHO also established freely accessible marine spatial data infrastructure training resources and continued its crowd source bathymetric campaign, expanding global seabed coverage from 6% in 2017 to nearly 25% in 2024.
Collectively, the three standards development organizations reaffirmed their commitment to advancing open, fair compliant geospatial standards in support of the sustainable development goals and the broader UN geospatial information agenda.
Thank you.
Hi, thank Mr.
Steven.
I now open the floor for discussion on this item.
I kindly remind all speaker of the time limits of 1 minute, 30 seconds with an automatic cutoff at 1 minute 45 seconds.
I give the floor to Saudi Arabia.
Thanks, Chair.
I will deliver our speech in Arabic to Abula.
The Kingdom of South Arapea welcomes the joint report prepared in cooperation between the International Hydrographic Organization, the IHO and the ISO Technical Committee for Geographic Information.
ISO slash TC 211 and the Open Geospatial Consortium.
We value their efforts in developing global geospatial standards and enhancing interoperability and the quality of the data.
In this context, the kingdom represented by the general authority for survey and geospatial information and in partnership with the Open Geospatial Consortium, work together to develop an integrated national Geospatial standards framework.
This would enhance complementarity and data sharing along the latest specifications.
We are committed to the work of national geospatial data models to promote international cooperation, to build a global geospatial data more complementary, which will support the UN GG IMS.
Thank you.
I thank Saudi Arabia and Cole Kamors.
Thank you, Chair.
I'm going to deliver the statement on behalf of UN DGM Africa.
UNDGMAfrica welcome the report and commend the continued collaboration between the Open Geospatial Consortium, ISO slash TC 211, and the International Ideographic Organization in advancing International Geospatial Standards, the region appreciates their collective effort to promote interoperability, support the fair data principles, and strengthen the implementation of global frameworks, including the United Nations Integrated Geospacal Information Framework.
UNDGM Africa recognize that internationally agreed standards are fundamental to improving the quality, interoperability and accessibility of geospal information.
The effective implementation will enable African countries to strengthen national geospacal infrastructures, facilitate data sharing across institutions, and borders, support evidence based decision making and accelerate progress towards the sustainable development goals and the African Union Agenda 2063.
UNDGM Africa encourage member states to progressively adopt and implement internationally recognized eospecial standards while strengthening national capacities, technical expertise, and international coordination.
UDM Africa reaffirmed its commitment to working closely with the Committee of Expert and the International Standards Development Organization to promote awareness, capacity development, and the effective implementation of Geospacal Standard across Africa.
Thank you.
I thank ENG, I am Africa and I call now India.
Thank you, Chair.
India appreciates the joint report of OGC, ISO TC 211, and IHO and commends their continued collaboration in advancing open and interoperable international geospatial standards.
India believes international standards are fundamental to interoperability, seamless data integration, and trusted geospatial information.
Particularly, as geospatial information increasingly supports digital public infrastructures and AI enabled applications.
At the national level, India is harmonizing its standards with international standards through the Bureau of Indian Standards and remains committed to working with standards development organizations and member states to advance a trusted and interoperable global geospatial ecosystem.
Thank you, Chair.
I thank India and the United Kingdom.
Thank you, Chair.
This statement is on behalf of UNGGM Europe, who welcomes the reported progress on the ISO Geodetic Register and its collaboration with UNGGCE recognizing this as a concrete, trackable contribution to strengthening the technical foundations underpinning global geodesy governance.
The Europe Region Committee continues to encourage member states and relevant entities to collaborate with standards development organizations contributing to the development, maintenance, and advancement on geospatial standards.
We also welcome the continued development of open, interoperable, and testable standards, including modular API approaches and the increased attention to data quality, provenance, and trust in automated and AI supported applications.
UNGGM Europe notes the proposal to consider the standards development organization item alongside thematic networks as identified in agenda item three, recognizing its clear potential to strengthen coordination and streamline the committee's intergovernmental agenda.
This consolidation reflects good practice, reducing duplication, whilst enforcing coherence across related workstreams.
This serves as a positive precedent for the future agenda streamlining across the committee's wider architecture.
Thank you.
I think you and GGI Europe and I call Jamaica.
Thank you, Mr.
Chair.
Jamaica, thanks to International hydrographic Organization, ISO Technical Committee 211, and the Open Geospatial Consortium for their joint report and commends sustained collaboration among the three standards development organizations.
Open interoperable standards are what allow a small national agency to build ones and integrate everywhere.
Nationally, Jamaica launches Bureau of Standards Geographic Information metadata and on crude Aerial system standards in May 2026, leads an ISO National Mor Committee on Geographic Information and is embedding open standards in our new Geoconnect framework for coordinated geospatial data sharing across government.
Jamaica welcomes the Open geospacial Consortium's modular building blocks approach and its validation through real world scenarios in climate, disasters, and the marine environment, which lowers the barrier to adoption for developing countries.
We likewise welcome ISO Technical Committee two eleven's move towards web based and mashing readable standards, which reduces implementation costs and complexity.
As a small and developing state, Jamaica attaches special importance to the S 100 Universal hydrographic data model.
We thank the IHO for establishing freely accessible training resources on maritime specialty infrastructure and encourage their promotion within the Caribbean region.
Jamaica encourages member states to engage actively in standards development and to adopt open standards policies and request the three organizations to continue aligning their work with the Integrated Geospatial Information framework so that standards adoption and framework implementation I think Jamaica and I Brazil.
Thank you, Mr.
Chairman.
I will speak in Spanish.
Brazil takes note of the joint report of the OGC ISOTC 211 and of the International Hydrographic Organization, the OHI.
We recognize the important role that they play.
We encourage broad use of the standards guide to increase uptake Brazil highlights the importance of active participation by member states in the process for developing standards of the OGC IOTC 211 and EOHI contributing to international standards that reflect diverse realities and needs.
Brazil reaffirms the need for member states to adopt open norms as a guiding governance mechanism Using national geospatial mechanism, we have seen that standardization strengthens interoperability of exchange of the reuse of data.
By way of conclusion, Brazil reaffirms its commitment to open in global geospatial cooperation that is collaborative.
I thank you Chair.
I thank Brazil and the Coral Bahamas.
Thank you, Chair.
The Bahamas takes note of the present report of the standards development organizations and commends their progress, work, and plans.
The progress of a sustainable ISO geodetic register and collaboration with the UNGGCE is noted and applauded.
The broad use of the standards guide is encouraged for a plethora of reasons such as to support implementation of standards based solutions.
Member States and United Nations system entities are encouraged to participate in the International Geospatial standards, development processes and proceedings of the various SEOs.
We note that as of May 2025, the Bahamas became the 102nd member state of the International Hydrographic Organization.
As an IHO Council member, we would like to encourage member states, particularly those in the Caribbean region, to participate in the work of the IHO.
After having 106 geospatial standards gazeted, the Bahamas is currently adopting an additional 15 geospatial standards that align with ISO, OGC, and IHO international standards.
Finally, we encourage our fellow member states to set relevant policy that starts with open standards as a default for geospatial and location information programs and on the use and adoption of geospatial standards.
Thank you.
I thank Bahamas and call Austria.
Thank you, Mr.
Chair.
Austria takes note of the joint report as open standards provide the foundational architecture necessary to achieve the fair data principles across different global ecosystems.
For the global community, standardization eliminates technical fragmentation between land, marine, and statistical domains, ensuring seamless data integration and real time processing across cross border digital infrastructures.
Furthermore, establishing open standards as the default policy for location programs establishes a trusted vendor neutral baseline that accelerates technological innovation such as QAI, digital twins, and automated systems while maximizing public value.
Thank you, Mr.
Chair.
I thank Austria and Corn South Africa.
Thank you, Mr.
Chair.
South Africa welcomes the report and support the broad adoption of the standards guide as an important enabler of interoperable and integrated spatial information management.
South standards are critical for facilitating spatial data sharing, improving data accessibility and reducing duplication of effort.
At the national level, the South Africa Special Data Infrastructure Act provides for the development and implementation of Go spatial standards to promote effective governance.
Interoperability and special data sharing.
These standards have been gazeted and all organs of state are trained on their implementation.
South Africa encourages member states to actively participate in OGC, ISO slash TC 211, and IO processes through national standards bodies, technical agencies, academia, and professional association to strengthen global collaboration and interoperability.
South Africa is pleased to host the next OGC member meeting, the first to be held on African Sam 12-15 October 2026 in Cape Town.
South Africa warmly invites member state and the Geospatial community to participate.
I thank you, Mr.
Chair.
I thank South Africa and call now Panama.
Thank you, Mr.
Chair.
The Republic of Panama welcomes the joint report of the Open Geospatial Consortium, the ISO Technical Committee 211, and the ISO.
Panama supports open standards as a default for national Geospatial programs.
However, standards create public value only when incorporated into national policy, institutional workflows, procurement and operational systems.
As Panama modernizes its special data infrastructure, land administration systems, and geodetic capabilities, interoperability has become essential.
The ISO 19100 family, the land administration domain model, and the OGC APIs provide a foundation for connecting alternative information across institutions.
Welcome the focus on machine readable standards, conformance testing, data provenance and trust, particularly as artificial intelligence increasingly relies on alterornative, geospatial information.
Panama encourages practical implementation profiles, toolkits, training, and regional pilot projects to bridge the gap between international standards and effective national implementation.
Thank you.
I thank Panama and Nicole Rwanda.
Randa welcomes the report on the implementation and adoption of standards for the global Geospatial Information community and commends the continued work of experts in advancing use of internationally recognized Geospatial standards.
Rwanda recognizes that the implementation of the spatial standard is essential for interoperability, data integration, and trusted evidence based decision making.
The standard enables countries to efficiently share, integrate, and use go spatial information across institutions and sectors, thereby supporting digital transformation and sustainable development.
Rwanda is undergoing the implementation and adoption of national Geospatial standards through the enhancement of its national Geospatial data infrastructure, the implementation of its IGF country of action plan, the integration of geospatial information across government systems, and the promotion of standardized geospatial data and services.
Rwanda encourages continued capacity development, technical cooperation and knowledge sharing to accelerate the adoption of Geospatial standards, particularly in developing countries.
Rwanda remains committed to working with member states and partners to advance interoperable standard based Geospatial systems that support the sustainable development goals.
Thank you, sir.
I thank Rwanda and Nicole Cuba.
Thank you, Chair.
Cuba welcomes the report from the IHO, the OGC, and the ISOTC 211.
We recognize the crucial role that these organizations play in the development of the implementation of norms and standards that guarantee the geospatial data is easy to find interoperable and reusable.
Our country believes that standardization is a crucial element for strengthening international cooperation and reducing the digital divide.
In Cuba, the adoption of open standards has made it possible to improve interoperability across our mapping and maritime systems as well as improving territorial planning and improving access to critical information for risk in disaster management.
We especially value the progress in the universal hydrographic data model and its application on electronic nautical maps, protecting marine area and navigation services that are extremely useful for island and coastal states such as ours.
Similarly, we highlight the importance of the efforts of the OGC in disaster response and climate services, as well as the contribution of the ISO to the harmonization of the 19 100 standards in decision making and evidence based decision making.
Thank you.
I thank Cuba and call China.
Thank you chair.
China appreciates the important work done by OGCSTC 211 and IHO in advancing eosial information standardization, promoting data interoperability, and implementing the FAIR principles.
China supports the three organizations are playing a key role in the implementation of UN IGF, the development of a global geogical reference frame, and the monitoring of SDGs.
China agrees that all member states should actively participate in the international standard formulation process and encourages taking up open standards as a default option in policy making so as to strengthen the debt sharing and improve governance efficiency.
China stands ready to continue deepening cooperation with standardization organizations, participate in the development and adoption of international standards, and jointly build an open, inclusive and interoperable global Geospacial information ecosystem.
Thank you.
I thank China and I now Nigeria.
Thank you, Mr.
Chair.
Nigeria welcomed the report jointly prepared by OGC, ISO, and IIO and presented by OGC.
Nigeria has been working in collaborative with OGC to develop standard in geospacial science and making the data interoperable.
Nigeria invites member state and organization to leverage on the work done by OGC ISO and Open standard.
Nigeria also joined OGC to invite member states to their OGC member meeting coming up in Cape Town South Africa in October 2026.
Thank you, Mr.
Chair.
I thank Nigeria and Nicole Chile.
Thank you, Mr.
Chair.
Chile is grateful for the joint report and we recognize their contribution to strengthening interoperability, exchange, geospatial information, and the implementation of the principles.
We welcome the standards guide as a practical tool in supporting the UNITIF and in the promotion of open standards in Chile.
We are pushing forward their adoption through a working group on norms and standards that was established through the new geospatial information management system.
We look forward to strengthening participation of member states in the development of international standards in this context.
We are participating as a principal member of STC 211.
We contribute to the translation of standards into Spanish and we also strengthening regional initiatives.
We Welcome also the Register and its work to support the global geodesic reference framework.
Today supports the idea of open standards being part of national policy on geospatial information to strengthen interoperability and the exchange of data and effective implementation of the UN IGIF.
I thank you, Chuck.
I thank Chile and the call for Guyana.
Thank you, Chair.
Guyana takes note of the report and thanks the International Geographic Organization, ISOTC 211 and the Open Geospatial Consortium for the preparation of the joint report.
Guyana thanks the SEU for making further progress on the operational S 100 standards.
The focus on the value for disaster preparedness and emphasis on small island development states is commendable.
Guyana takes note and welcomes progress made to improve the alignment between IGF hydro, thus ensuring uniformity in the approach to data management between land and sea.
Dana appreciates the availability of the updated general battric chart of the oceans, grid of global ocean seabed topography to the public under the open data policy terms.
Thank you.
I thank Guyana and Nicole Morocco.
So Chair, that was by mistake.
Thank you.
Now, we call it the IHO.
Thank you, Mr.
Chair.
The IHO welcomes the joint report and the continued collaboration with ISO TC 211 and the OGC in advancing FAR Aligned geospatial standards.
As reported at our last session, S 100 phase one product specifications, including nautical charts, bathomtric surface, water levels, and surface currents, reach their operational additions.
These open standards are now being used by coastal states to produce official products.
Beyond navigation, the IHOS 100 roadmap continues to support specifications that serve a much broader set of interests, including marine protected areas, maritime limits and boundaries, and polygonal demarcations of sea areas, reflecting the framework's value well beyond the bridge of the ship.
This past year has also seen additional supporting product specifications reach operational status and we continue to build out the infrastructure needed to sustain this growing ecosystem.
Notably, the IHO Infrastructure Center in Busan, Republic of Korea became formally established this year and will provide a centralized hub for the development, testing, and maintenance of S 100 base systems as adoption scales globally.
Would also like to recognize, as has been mentioned today, the importance of early participation in the standards development process, which helps ensure new specifications reflect the practical needs of all member states from the outset.
Thank you, Mr.
Chair.
I thank the HO.
Now I call Eurostat.
Eurostat welcomes the work being done in further developing the relevant standards.
Eurostat wish to inform the delegates of UNGIM 16 that the last UN Statistical Commission reviewed the implementation progress of the DGorba, the degree of Organization territorial classification.
This globally agreed classification ensures the comparability of economic, societal and environmental indicators, including SDG indicators.
The committee appreciated the significant progress made, the knowledge sharing efforts offered by the international organizations, including the European Commission and called the UN member states to continue the implementation.
In addition, the European Commission concluded the revision of the NATS territorial classification, which supports evidence based regional policymaking and funding decisions in the European Union and beyond.
The new version, the NATS 2027 will be used from 1st of January next year.
For the geospacial community, it is important to implement the relevant territorial classifications to be able to efficiently support statistical production and policy making.
Thank you, Mr.
Chair.
I thank the Eurostat and now we have heard the last speaker in the discussion in this item.
Now, I invite Mr.
Lisor to summarize the main point of these discussions.
Thank you, Mr.
Chair.
The Committee of Expert welcomed the reports of the Standards Development Organization, the Open Geospatial Consortium, ISOTC 211, and the International Dographic Organization and welcome their progress in advancing international geospatial standards and encouraged the broad use of the standards guide to support standard based solutions that promote interoperability, data sharing, international cooperation, and the flexibility to respond to evolving data sources, technologies, user needs, and global agendas.
Committee of Expert encouraged member states and relevant entities of the United Nations systems to actively participate in the International geospatial standards development processes, including through memberships, technical contributions and resource support to strengthen the development, review, and adoption of international took note of the progress towards establishing a sustainable IOGodetic register, welcome the collaboration with the United Nations Global Geodetic Center of Excellence and encourage continued efforts to ensure its long term sustainability and accessibility for member states and welcome the proposal to consider and consolidate the standards development Organization in agenda item five on the contribution of thematic networks to the global Geospatial Information agenda.
Thank you, Mr.
Chair.
I thank Mr.
Lazar and all delegation for their valuable contribution to this interesting exchange of view in this item.
The committee has thus concluded this stage of its consideration of the agenda item 15.
Now, the committee will now begin its consideration for the agenda 16 entitled Standardization of Geographic Names and collaboration with the United Nations Group of Expert in Geographic Names, en Gagen.
I invite Mr.
António António Unjeru, Deputy Chair of Baden, and forms Gioacal of Indonesia to take the introducer seat of the Bum.
Thank you.
Under this committee, as before, it's note by the Secretariat entitled Standardization of Geographic Names and collaboration with the United Nations Group of Expert in Geographic Names contained in documents E slash C 20 slash 2026 slash 617, and it's aditum.
I now will give the floor to Mr.
António to introduce the documents.
Thank you, Mr.
Co chair.
Distinguished representative, delegates, observers, and colleagues.
The Committee of Experts has before it the report of the United Nations Coop of Experts on geographical names, on international activities and continued implementation of its strategic plan and program of work 2021, 2029.
At its 15th session, the community will come the outcomes of the group of expert 2025 session and the progress of the collaborative project between the two bodies.
It also endorsed the concept of the universal unique identifiers for cities, encourage national contribution to the world Geographical Names database, and reiterate the importance of implementing the geographical names team of the global fundamental geospatial data themes.
During the intersectional period, the collaborative project led by Indonesia and the United States of America has moved from identifying good practices towards finalizing a draft of the compendium of effective institutional arrangements and operational practices for geographical names management.
This is provided to the committee as a background document to the present report.
The Coatium addresses how national Geospacal Information agencies, national names, authorities, and other institutions authorize, manage, maintain, disseminate, and integrate geographical names.
It is intended as a practical resource to help member states strengthen governance, coordinations, and implementation in accordance with the United Nations Integrated Geopal Information Framework.
The report also highlights the continued redevelopment of the world Geographical name database and the operationalization of the universal unique identifier for cities.
Together, these initiatives support authoritative, multilingual, multi script, and o names data, improve interoperability across statistical, geospacial, and administrative systems, and provide a stronger foundation for linked data and artificial intelligence applications.
The group of experts is also strengthening its institutional arrangement, including its geographical and linguistic divisions and identifying opportunities for deeper collaboration in policy and legal frameworks, cultural heritage, indigenous and minority geographical names, capacity development, identifiers, links, data, and emerging technologies.
This work reflects a transition from recognizing geographical names as a fundamental data teams to implementing them as authoritative, interoperable, and culture of informed national data set.
I conclude by welcoming the committee's participation in the work of the group of experts.
Thank you, Co Chair.
I thank Mr.
António.
I now open the floor for the discussion on this item.
I kindly remind all the speaker on the time limits of 1 minute and 30 seconds with an automatic cutoff at 1 minute, 45 seconds.
I give now the floor to Saudi Arabia.
Thank you, Chair.
Allow me to deliver my intervention in Arabic to Rhabul.
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia welcomes the report of the UN Group of experts on geographical names and commends progress made in the implementation of the 2021, 2029 Strategic Plan and Program of work.
As well as efforts to standardize geographical names and maintaining them as an integral part of national and cultural identity.
We also support the development of the global geographical database as well as the universal unique identifiers for cities.
We will continue contributing names in both Arabic and Roman script.
According to the romanization system.
We welcome studies regarding the applications of AI.
We also stress the importance of quality control, respecting cultural and linguistic specificities, as well as promoting the sovereignty of data and the role of national stakeholders in this regard.
Thank you.
Paul Jamaica.
Thank you, co chair.
Jamaica welcome the report of the UN GGM and refers to standardized geographic names, our fundamental geospatial information to preserve history, culture and identity while supporting land administration, emergency management, navigation, planning, and sustainable development.
Jamaica supports the completion of the compendium as a practical guide for member states, particularly since and encourages greater Caribbean participation in UNGEGN activities, capacity development, and regional collaboration.
Jamaica advances the development of a place names committee refinement of the terms of preference for the committee and engagement of stakeholders.
Jamaica is developing a methodology to develop an interoperable ARE national Gazeter integrated to the National Geospatial datasets to support the proposed National Adré Register while contributing authoritative information to the world Geographical Names database.
Jamaica therefore supports the continued UNGM UNGEGN collaborative program recognizes geographical names as strategic national assets and stands ready to contribute Caribbean and SIDS perspective to strengthen authoritative, interoperable, and culturally informed geographical names management.
Thank you, co chair.
I thank Jamaica and I thank the interpreter.
He gave us 15 minutes more, but please give him 1/32.
Thank you.
Now I give the floor to Brazil.
Thank you, Mr.
Chair.
Brazil takes note of the report of the group of experts and commends the group on its efforts during the intersectional period to implement decision 15 slash 114.
Brazil wishes to commend the group of experts for the development and the implementation of the substantial program of work and is glad to provide guidance on strategic directions and its future program of work.
Brazil supports the concept of the unique identifier for cities and is ready to contribute to the world Geographical Names database, which presents itself as a powerful tool to promote, disseminate, and integrate the use of official geographical names.
Thank you, Mr.
Chair.
I thank Brazil and I'm given the floor to St.
Lucia.
Establishing AI readiness for authoritative geospatial information is vital for small island developing states.
St.
Lucia urges the working group to provide urgent and practical guidance that helps resource constrained nations navigate these technologies safely.
We also support updating the UN IGIF strategic Pathway to as keeping this legal framework agile is essential to match the rapidly evolving digital landscape.
While high definition mapping for autonomous navigation is emerging, its high precision data infrastructure is highly relevant.
San Lucia encourages aligning the standards with climate resilience and disaster preparedness needs.
Finally, we welcome the upcoming communication materials on data for the public good as these tools will help us advocate for geospatial investments locally.
Thank you, co chair.
Hi thanks Santuc and Paul Arak.
Thank you, Mr.
Chairman.
I would like to speak Arabic.
I would like to highlight the importance of the work carried out by the UN working group.
We support the decisions pertaining to standardization of geographical names.
To strengthen the cultural identity of populations and to implement SDG 11, we have within our governoate created a guide for geographical names with the participation of civil society under the auspices of the Ministry for Planning.
We are candidate for the committee of experts, for the April session next year.
Thank you, Mr.
Chair.
With your permission, I will continue in French.
The annual report of the Anggen highlights two subjects for cooperation between Anggen and UN GIM that France would like to highlight.
The first is on the collaborative project.
The work conducted jointly by Indonesia and the US illustrate concretely the value of international cooperation when it helps to pool expertise, experience, and know how for a shared goal.
The UN provides a good context for this type of initiative, and this project shows the complementary nature between A Gn and UN GGIM.
France will closely follow the finalization of the compendium of good practices, which will constitute one of the main results of this.
The second subject is on the global database on geographical names.
The adoption last year of the unique identifier for cities is an important step as part of this cooperation between A Gn and UN GGIM the next stage, will henceforth be to enrich this basis by integrating pertinent national data into it.
France would encourage all member states to contribute to this collective effort.
Over and beyond its technical interests.
This will help interoperability of geographical data globally and will bring specific benefits in numerous areas, in particular during humanitarian operations or crisis management situations.
Delegates, France welcomes the cooperation that is active between Engegen and UN GGIM and fully supports the pursue and strengthening of this joint work.
I thank you.
Thank you, France, and I give the floor to Germany.
Chair, Germany highlights the contributions to the group of experts to the Vir Geographic names database as a fundamental reference data supporting integrated geospatial information management.
The working group of geographical name database management led by Germany provides concrete approaches such as globally unique identifiers for cities and improved mechanisms for integrating standardized geographical names with their wider geospatial and statistical information infrastructures.
Germany encourages other member states to provide their expertise to the substantive program of the group of experts and to its working groups.
The active participation in the questionnaire concerning the use of artificial intelligence in the context of the standardization and management of geographical names offers an opportunity to share mutual experiences with a committee of experts and work towards the development of norms and standards.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Now, I think we will close the list after the next speaker Argentina.
Now I'll give the floor to Argentina.
Due to the time, please.
Thank you very much, Chair.
Argentina welcomes the report and we commend them for their progress in strengthening collaboration between the UGGM and Monggn.
We also wish to express our recognition and appreciation to the Secretariat for organizing the workshop on the use of interoperability standards for managing geographical names.
This was held in Santiago de Chile.
This initiative was a valuable opportunity for strengthening technical capacity of member states, and this is why Argentina encourages the continuation of this type of initiative together with necessary support in order to support capacity building and technical cooperation.
Argentina reaffirms its commitment to contributing to the strengthening of regional cooperation in the area of normalization of geographical names, promoting greater coordination across national authorities on names, geographic institutes and other geospacial institutes.
We also think it's particularly valuable to go deeper in cooperation in the divisions on geographical names and language of Egg and the regional committees.
And we look forward to participating actively in the working groups and to strengthening the national authorities responsible for geographical names.
I thank you.
I thank you, Argentina and now I will close the list.
The list is closed.
Now I Rand Mr.
Chair, distinguished guest, Distinguished delegates, I have the honor to deliver this statement on behalf of UN GJ in Africa.
UN GJ of Africa welcomes the report of the United Nations Group of Experts on geographical names and commends the continued efforts to strengthen the standardization of geographical names, collaboration of the committee of experts, and the implementation of strategic plan and program of action of W 2021 to 2029.
UNGA in Africa recognizes that standardized geographical names are fundamental to national oversal information management, supporting governance, and administration, sustainable development, emergency response, and cross border cooperation, while preserving Africa's cultural heritage and linguistic diversity.
The Africa region encourages member states to strengthen the national geographical names authorities, advance the implementation of geographical names data themes within the fundamental geospatial data themes and provide capacity development and participation in global initiatives.
UN GGM Africa reaffirms its commitment to working closely with the committee of experts and UNGEGN to strengthen regional cooperation and improve the quality and interoperability of geographic I thank Africa and now I call the United States.
Thank you, Mr.
Chair.
The United States supports the goal of greater coordination between national Geospatial Information agencies and national names authorities and welcomes the recommendations summarized in the report, as well as the curated good practices documented in the compendium.
We commend the team for aligning their recommendations with the UN IGIF, allowing member states to effectively implement these practices alongside spatial data infrastructure and geospatial data management assets.
The United States thanks Indonesia for their co leadership of the collaborative project.
Their efforts have significantly contributed to the standardization of geographical names and have been instrumental in the progress of the collaborative project.
Finally, the United States recognizes the importance of implementing the geographical names data theme highlighted in the Engagn report and supports the call for engagement from the committee of Experts.
Thank you, Mr.
Chair.
Okay.
Thank you.
We give now the floor to B speaker.
Thank you very much, Mr.
Chair.
I would like to speak French.
Burkina Fraso would like to thank the Bureau and the Secretary for all their efforts made as they develop the report and its annexes, as well as the work carried out during the intercession period of the committee.
The standardization of geographical names is crucial In terms of producing geospatial information.
This is why Burkina Faso proposed hosting a training course for African stakeholders to improve their knowledge of collecting and collating and data processing with the current financial recession.
It's important that Ajin develops Other means and provides available to member states publications such as guidelines, the group of experts should also develop other means such as online training, like Zoom in order to support member states.
We heard the last speaker on this item during this meeting.
We will hear the remaining speaker this afternoon.
Those speakers are Norway, Bahamas, Ecuador, Belgium, Chile, Indonesia, Guyana, United Kingdom, Barbados, and Euro Geographics.
The committee will meet again this afternoon at 3:00 P.M.
In this conference room to continue its consideration of the agenda Item 16 entitled Standardization of Geographical Names collaboration with the United Nation name of Experts on Geographical Names.
I once again thank you Thank you, the interpreter for the extension of the granted time.
Before adjourning meeting, I give the floor to the Secretariat for announcement.
Mr.
Lesor Bs.
Thank you.
Thank you, Mr.
Chair.
Distinguished delegates.
We have distributed the draft decisions of agenda the Part one of the report of the committee of experts for the 16th session.
It is distributed to you and it is also available on the UNGGM website.
Thank you.
I thank Mr.
Lazo.
The meeting is adjourned.