Workshop on Geospatial Information Management Arrangements and the Wider Integrated Data Ecosystem for Europe, Eastern Europe, and Neighbouring Regions

From 11 to 13 February, the Workshop on Geospatial Information Management Arrangements and the Wider Integrated Data Ecosystem for Europe, Eastern Europe, and Neighbouring Regions was held at the United Nations Office at Vienna. The workshop, jointly organised in collaboration with UN‑GGIM and our line of work on the UN-IGIF, and partially funded by Eurostat, welcomed more than 50 experts from all continents.

Reflecting its regional focus, the workshop placed particular emphasis on the evolving role of geospatial information within Europe’s integrated data ecosystems. Delegates discussed existing regional initiatives, current cooperation modalities among European national mapping and cadastral agencies and national statistical institutes, and the alignment of European efforts with global UN-GGIM guidance. Several sessions underscored Europe’s mature geospatial landscape, marked by advanced data infrastructures, established governance mechanisms, and extensive cross-border collaboration, while also acknowledging the persistent need for further harmonisation, interoperability, and strategic coordination across the region.

The programme comprised plenary discussions, thematic sessions, and country-led presentations that illustrated practical applications of the UN-IGIF in the European context, including institutional reforms, data integration approaches, and methods to strengthen collaboration between geospatial and statistical communities. Participants highlighted approaches that support public-sector decision-making, enhance the quality and accessibility of geospatial data, and contribute to more efficient and coordinated national geospatial ecosystems.

In addition, the workshop featured technical presentations from several United Nations entities. FAO presented methodologies for monitoring land development, agricultural production, and food-security dynamics using geospatial and Earth-observation data. The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime shared approaches employing geospatial analytics to monitor illicit trafficking routes, support crime-prevention efforts, and reinforce intelligence-based responses. The Office for Outer Space Affairs, through its UN-SPIDER programme, outlined the use of satellite imagery for disaster risk assessment, rapid mapping, and emergency-response coordination. These presentations demonstrated the breadth of geospatial applications across the UN system and highlighted their direct relevance to national and regional priorities.

During the discussions, participants identified several challenges affecting the pace and consistency of UN-IGIF implementation in Europe and neighbouring regions. These included institutional fragmentation, uneven digital capacities, resource limitations, and the need for sustained political support. Countries also noted persistent challenges related to interoperability across legacy systems and the need for consistent data standards and governance frameworks. Delegates shared approaches employed to address these issues, such as establishing coordinated national geospatial governance mechanisms, adopting harmonised technical standards, and implementing capacity-development initiatives tailored to national and regional contexts.

The workshop underscored the importance of continued, coordinated action at both national and regional levels to advance the Integrated Geospatial Information Framework in Europe. Participants recognised that the region’s long-standing culture of cooperation, combined with its established data infrastructures, places Europe in a strong position to further accelerate progress. Strengthening the implementation of the Framework is essential not only for improving evidence-based policymaking, but also for supporting countries in meeting the commitments of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and to contribute meaningfully to shaping the evolving development agenda beyond 2030.

Presentations can be accessed here.