H.E President of the General Authority for Survey and Geospatial Information (GEOSA), Chairman of the Regional Committee of United Nations Global Geospatial Information Management for the Arab States (UN-GGIM: AS) Dr. Eng. Mohammad bin Yahya Al Sayel received today Dr. Stefan Schweinfest, Secretary of the United Nations Committee of Experts for Global Geospatial Information Management (UN-GGIM).

During the meeting, they reviewed key initiatives and achievements of GEOSA in regulating the sector of surveying, geospatial information, and imaging in the Kingdom, including the Future of Saudi Arabian National Geospatial Ecosystem, the Kingdom’s experience in establishing and developing the national geospatial infrastructure, geospatial data governance, and setting the policies, standards, and geospatial specifications in alignment with the Integrated Geospatial Information Framework (IGIF) and international best practices.

The discussion also reviewing the latest procedures and updates made regarding the Kingdom’s hosting of the United Nations Global Geospatial Ecosystem Centre of Excellence (UNGGECE) in coordination with relevant national and international agencies.

Dr. Schweinfest praised the Kingdom’s global leadership in the realm of geospatial information, its outstanding efforts and contribution in relevant international groups and committees, and the dissemination of global geospatial awareness and knowledge worldwide.

The meeting took place on the event side of the twelfth meeting of the Regional Committee of United Nations Global Geospatial Information Management for Arab States (UN-GGIM: Arab States), and the fifth plenary meeting of the High-level Group of the Integrated Geospatial Information Framework (HLG-IGIF). The Kingdom, represented by GEOSA, will host these two meetings during the period from 2 - 6 February in Jeddah Governorate, alongside several accompanying workshops for stakeholders from the public and private sectors, academia, and the non-profit sector.

GEOSA represents the Kingdom in the UNGGIM, one of the committees affiliated with the UN Economic and Social Council. Additionally, chaired the Arab Committee of Experts on Geospatial Information Management, also serving as its General Secretariat.