The first plenary meeting of UN-GGIM: Europe was held in Chisinau, Moldova on 1st October 2014.
At this meeting an Executive Committee of eleven people was established, a work plan adopted and arrangements for a secretariat was agreed
Cooperation between the geospatial and statistical communities and formal bodies such as the European Commission will be less fragmented and better coordinated as a result of UN-GGIM: Europe, its first plenary session has heard.
Speaking on behalf of the European Commission, Walter Radermacher, Director-General, Eurostat told the meeting in Chișinău, Moldova that: “By creating UN-GGIM: Europe we are closing a significant gap in European public information management.”
“As statisticians, we observe a growing demand from decision makers to develop statistics with increasing geographical detail. Only with the right level of detail can they understand the size and nature of the issues and take the necessary actions. Better coordination and an overarching framework could help us to deliver the best possible results.”
Victor Bodiu Secretary General of the Government in the Republic of Moldova welcomed delegates which included representatives from 43 National Mapping, Cadastral and Land Registry Authorities and 6 National Statistics Institutes. He said: “The use of geo-statistical data will improve the abilities of governments to examine, monitor, manage, propose and predict development and growth options for a sustainable future. It is very important to promote greater exchange of actual experiences with specific applications to encourage greater cooperation in developing partnerships.”
The meeting marks the formal establishment of UN-GGIM: Europe with the European UN Member States now assuming full operational responsibility for it.
Delegates approved the Articles and Rules of Procedure and accepted proposals for an Executive Committee, of which Bengt Kjellson from Sweden was confirmed as Chair. Dorine Burmanje (The Netherlands) and Antonio Arozarena (Spain) were appointed Vice Chairs.
The Netherlands is responsible for providing a secretariat to UN-GGIM: Europe. This work will be carried out by EuroGeographics, the membership association for the European National Mapping, Land Registry and Cadastral Authorities.
The meeting also adopted a work plan and established two working groups, one focusing in core data and the other on data integration.
UN-GGIM: Europe will report regularly to the Committee of Experts on Global Geospatial Information Management.
For further information contact Dave Lovell T: +32 28 88 71 75 M: +32 484 663 345