India Elected Co-Chair of UN-GGIM Asia-Pacific

In a significant diplomatic and strategic development, India has been elected as the Co-Chair of the United Nations Global Geospatial Information Management for Asia and the Pacific (UN-GGIM-AP). The appointment is for a three-year term, extending up to 2028. This move enhances India’s voice in the global geospatial policy space and reflects its growing capabilities in geospatial technology and data governance.

What is UN-GGIM Asia-Pacific?

• The United Nations Global Geospatial Information Management for Asia and the Pacific (UN-GGIM-AP) is a regional committee under the United Nations Committee of Experts on Global Geospatial Information Management (UN-GGIM).
• It acts as a regional coordinating body comprising 56 countries and economies in the Asia-Pacific, primarily through their national geospatial authorities. Originally established in 1995, it was rebranded in 2012 to align with the global UN-GGIM framework.

Core Objectives

• Promote the use of geospatial information in decision-making and policy
• Identify regional challenges and provide geospatial solutions
• Enhance economic, social, and environmental benefits through geospatial integration
• Strengthen collaboration and capacity-building among member countries

By using mapping, satellite data, and geospatial analytics, the committee helps governments tackle issues like urban planning, disaster management, environmental monitoring, and resource optimization.

Strategic Leadership in Geospatial Governance

Being elected Co-Chair of such a platform highlights India’s technological credibility and diplomatic capital in the region. It also places India at the centre of regional data governance and geospatial policymaking, allowing it to,

• Influence standard setting and data-sharing protocols
• Lead regional initiatives on capacity building and infrastructure
• Collaborate on cross-border challenges like climate change and disaster response

Alignment with India’s Domestic Push

India’s election comes at a time when it is rapidly advancing its domestic geospatial ecosystem. The 2021 liberalization of India’s geospatial data policy opened up mapping and satellite services to private firms.

This international leadership position reinforces India’s domestic intent to become a global hub for geospatial data and services, aligning with initiatives like,

• Digital India
• Smart Cities Mission
• Gati Shakti infrastructure plan

Important Takeaways

• India’s position: Elected Co-Chair of UN-GGIM-AP
• Tenure: 2025–2028
• Body composition: 56 countries from Asia-Pacific
• Purpose: Promote geospatial data use for regional development
• UN-GGIM-AP origin: Established in 1995, rebranded in 2012