Geospatial information management discussed at UN-GGIM 16th session
Saudi Arabia, represented by the General Authority for Survey and Geospatial Information, participated in the 16th session of the United Nations Committee of Experts on Global Geospatial Information Management (UN-GGIM), held at United Nations headquarters in New York. The delegation, led by Dr. Mohammed bin Yahya Al-Sael, outlined national progress and strategic priorities for geospatial information management in support of sustainable development and evidence-based decision making.
The meeting convened member states, international organizations and relevant stakeholders to review global coordination, standards and emerging technologies. Saudi officials presented the country’s implementation of the UN Integrated Geospatial Information Framework (UN-IGIF) and stressed international cooperation on data interoperability and responsible use of artificial intelligence.
Saudi contributions to UN-IGIF and national policy development
During the session, Saudi representatives summarized steps taken to align national policy and technical infrastructure with the UN-IGIF, according to official statements. Saudi efforts have focused on creating regulatory frameworks, data quality standards and governance arrangements that improve discoverability, interoperability and reuse of geospatial data.
Furthermore, the delegation highlighted capacity building initiatives designed to enhance institutional capabilities across government agencies. Meanwhile, officials indicated that adopting common standards and metadata practices remains central to integrating geospatial information management into public service delivery and spatial planning.
Geodetic reference frame and regional ARABREF initiative
Saudi Arabia affirmed support for the global geodetic reference frame and detailed its regional engagement through the Arab Geodetic Reference Frame (ARABREF) initiative. The delegation described national investments in geodetic infrastructure intended to improve positioning accuracy and support cross-border interoperability for mapping, navigation and scientific research.
According to the delegation, closer alignment with global reference systems will facilitate data sharing for maritime navigation, land administration and disaster response. Therefore, strengthening geodetic networks regionally contributes to resilience and enhances the reliability of geospatial datasets used by both public and private sectors.
Integrating geospatial and statistical data for land and marine management
Officials discussed efforts to bridge geospatial and statistical data to improve land management, land administration and marine hydrographic services. The Saudi presentation emphasized integrated approaches that combine spatial datasets with demographic and economic statistics to produce actionable insights for policy makers.
Such integration supports evidence-based land governance, environmental monitoring and coastal zone management. Additionally, the delegation noted that harmonized geospatial-statistical systems can accelerate urban planning and resource allocation while providing a clearer basis for monitoring progress toward international development targets.
Digital twins, artificial intelligence and cloud technologies
Emerging technologies figured prominently in Saudi contributions, with a focus on digital twins, artificial intelligence and cloud computing as enablers for modern geospatial services. The delegation outlined exploratory work on digital twin platforms intended to model urban and environmental systems, improving scenario planning and risk assessment.
Officials cautioned that adopting AI and advanced analytics must be paired with governance safeguards to protect data privacy, cultural sensitivities and national data sovereignty. Furthermore, cloud-based infrastructures were presented as practical enablers for scalable geospatial processing and international collaboration.
Geographic names, cultural identity and data sovereignty
Saudi delegates reiterated the importance of standardizing and preserving geographic names as elements of national and cultural identity. They recommended developing comprehensive geographic names databases and using modern management tools to maintain linguistic and historical accuracy while supporting multilingual discovery.
Delegates also emphasized that geographic names systems should respect cultural and linguistic nuances and align with national policies on data stewardship. This stance ties into broader priorities around data sovereignty and the ethical use of location-based information in cross-border contexts.
UN Center of Excellence in Riyadh and upcoming UNWGIC 2026 in Jeddah
Saudi Arabia updated attendees on plans for a United Nations geospatial Center of Excellence to be established in Riyadh, intended as a regional platform for innovation, knowledge exchange and technical assistance. Officials described the center as complementary to existing UN geospatial hubs in Bonn and Deqing, aiming to deliver capacity support to member states across the region.
At the close of the session, Dr. Al-Sael invited delegates to the Third UN World Geospatial Information Congress (UNWGIC 2026), which Saudi Arabia will host in Jeddah from November 16 to 19, 2026. The invitation highlighted ongoing preparations and encouraged member states and partners to participate in shaping the global agenda for geospatial information management.
Implications for international cooperation and next steps
Saudi participation at the UN-GGIM meeting underscores a broader push toward harmonized geospatial systems, regional collaboration and responsible technology adoption. Observers said the country’s emphasis on standards, capacity building and regional reference frames aligns with international efforts to make geospatial data more useful for policymaking and development.
Looking ahead, stakeholders should watch for formal milestones tied to the Riyadh Center of Excellence, outcomes from the UNWGIC 2026 conference in Jeddah and further progress on ARABREF implementation. Continued dialogue at UN-GGIM and related forums will likely shape practical steps for integrating geospatial information management into national and regional development strategies.
