Bridging geospatial and statistical communities: UN-GGIM: Europe at EFGS 2026

Members of the UN-GGIM: Europe Executive Committee attended the European Forum for Geography and Statistics, held in Brussels last week.

The three-day programme addressed both the technical and the policy dimensions of geospatial and statistical information. On the second day, Executive Committee members took part in several high-level panels. There they highlighted the importance of collaboration between national mapping, cadastral and land registration authorities and national statistical institutes. They also stressed the integration of geospatial data, which is essential for the use of authoritative, interoperable information in evidence-based decision-making across Europe.

The discussions reflected the commitments made in Geneva in June, at the close of the joint session with the 74th Conference of European Statisticians. There, both communities agreed to continue their cooperation, to extend their cooperation agreement for 2026 – 2028 and to hold another joint plenary session in 2028. This forum showed those commitments being put into practice.

On Friday, the recently approved UN-GGIM: Europe workplan was presented to participants. In parallel, the Executive Committee met to consider how best to deliver the workplan, in a way that is as efficient as possible and makes the best use of the contributions of Member States and partners.

UN-GGIM: Europe thanks the organisers, speakers and participants for a productive and constructive forum. It remains committed to supporting cooperation among its Member States and to advancing the integration of geospatial information in the region.