The Second United Nations World Geospatial Information Congress (UNWGIC 2022) Conference

UNWGIC 2022-Geospatial Information Congress kicked off with a theme, ‘Geo-Enabling the Global Village: No one should be left behind,’

The Second United Nations World Geospatial Information Congress (UNWGIC 2022) has officially started on 11 October 2022 (Tuesday) in Hyderabad International Convention Centre, India with a theme ‘Geo-Enabling the Global Village: No one should be left behind,’.

The UNWGIC 2022-Geospatial Information Congress is organized by United Nations’ Department of Economic and Social Affairs and hosted by the Department of Science & Technology – Ministry of Science and Technology, Government of India. It is a four day conference (11 October 2022 – 14 October, 2022) convened by the United Nations Committee of Experts on Global Geospatial Information Management (UN-GGIM).

UNWGIC 2022-Geospatial Information Congress

The Second UNWGIC 2022-Geospatial Information Congress is a global event bringing together all stakeholders at the highest level reflecting the importance of integrated geospatial information system (GIS) to support sustainable development goals. The Congress will address the environmental and climate challenges, development and strengthening of integrated geospatial information management, its capacities and capabilities while embracing the digital transformation and technological development.

On its inauguration day, the Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modi address through a video message and said, “The possibilities that geospatial technology offers are endless; there is so much that we can do for our planet through this technology,” He further added that Geospatial Technology has been driving inclusion and progress in national development projects like SVAMITVA, PM Gati Shakti master plan, Jam Trinity, etc. PM Modi wished the conference a success, “The Second UNWGIC makes me optimistic with the stakeholders of the global geospatial industry coming together, with policymakers and academic world, interacting with each other. I am confident this conference will help steer the global village into a new future.”

Dr. Jitendra Singh, Minister of Science and Technology, Government of India said, “Tech is increasingly becoming available to generations, but there is no uniformity in adaptation. This needs to be taken into consideration at a global level. Definition of geospatial has evolved from a traditional one to a dynamic one. When we talk of futuristic themes, it’s very important to keep in mind the requirements of stakeholders for a synergistic association between industry, academia and others. India has been one of the earliest adopter of geospatial and the credit goes to coordination between different agencies.”

Stefan Schweinfest, Director, Statistics Division United Nations, said, “Geospatial is a community of solidarity and solutions. Everything happens somewhere and that somewhere is often a village.” Dr. S Somnath, Secretary, Department of Space, Government of India said, “Indian geospatial information system is very rich and diverse, resonating with the needs and demands of the country,”

The Co-chair of UNGGIM, Ingrid Vanden Berghe said, “UNGGIM is focusing on key elements for many local to global challenges, from operationalization to implantation for integration. Location undergirds everything we do. Stats and data are key to better knowledge, insights, sharing, understanding, and to achieve 2030 SDGs and to enable better livelihood for future generations. We will continue to geo-enable the global village, bridge the digital divide, build back better, and leave no one behind.”

To know more about UNWGIC 2022-Geospatial Information Congress visit here https://unwgic2022.in/