The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, represented by the General Authority for Survey and Geospatial Information (GEOSA), has significantly advanced its geospatial knowledge infrastructure readiness by moving from 32nd in 2022 to 9th in the 2025 Geospatial Knowledge Infrastructure (GKI) Readiness Index, ranking first in the Middle East and Arab world, and 6th among G20 nations. The announcement was made during the first day of the Geospatial World Forum 2025, held in the Spanish capital Madrid from April 22 to 25 of this year.
According to a press release issued by the GEOSA, the GKI Readiness Index, developed by Geospatial World, is a strategic framework supported by the United Nations Statistics Division that aims to compare the readiness of countries in adopting geospatial knowledge and how their progress on the index promotes economic growth, sustainable development and digital transformation.
The GKI Readiness Index was built on several pillars. The Kingdom ranked sixth globally in the policy pillar through its pioneering experience in the governance of the national geospatial data system and the preparation of its policies, standards and specifications in accordance with international best practices, while it ranked seventh globally in the infrastructure pillar for its pivotal role in unifying national efforts related to geospatial information, including developing the national geospatial platform that represents the window of the national geospatial infrastructure available to benefit the public and private sectors, in addition to the academia, the non-profit sector, and individuals. The Kingdom ranked eighth in the geospatial industry pillar, which highlights its constructive role in building strategic partnerships in all sectors.
The release added that the Kingdom's progress in this index reflects the unlimited support given to the survey and geospatial information sector by the wise leadership and the minister of defense and chairman of GEOSA Board of Directors. This support has led to the Kingdom assuming a leading position at the regional and global levels in the forefront of its peers among developed countries in the geospatial field. This progress also led to Riyadh being chosen as the headquarters for the United Nations Global Geospatial Ecosystem Center of Excellence, positioning the Kingdom as a global leader in innovative geospatial information management.
As the national regulator, GEOSA is responsible for regulating the geospatial sector in Saudi Arabia, approving and developing the national geospatial infrastructure, setting and updating rules and standards to the Sector to achieve integrated use of geospatial information among relevant agencies.