Why in news?
India has been chosen to serve as the co‑chair of the United Nations Global Geospatial Information Management Asia–Pacific Committee (UN‑GGIM‑AP) for a three‑year term. The decision was taken at the 14th plenary meeting held in Goyang, South Korea from 24 to 26 September 2025. Surveyor General Hitesh Kumar S. Makwana will represent India. The appointment recognises India’s leadership in geospatial technologies and its commitment to regional cooperation.
Background
UN‑GGIM‑AP is one of five regional committees under the UN’s global geospatial initiative. It traces its roots to the Permanent Committee on GIS Infrastructure for Asia and the Pacific (PCGIAP), established in 1995 to maximise the economic, social and environmental benefits of geospatial data. In 2012 the committee was rebranded as UN‑GGIM‑AP and now represents 56 member countries. Its mission is to promote the coordinated use of geospatial information for sustainable development, disaster management and decision making across the region.
Key points of India’s new role
- Leadership in innovation: As co‑chair, India will help steer working groups on geospatial governance, technology and services. It will advocate for open‑standards, data interoperability and indigenisation of geospatial tools.
- Capacity building: India intends to share its expertise in digital public infrastructure, such as the Digital India and PM Gati Shakti programmes, to strengthen mapping capacities in other Asian countries.
- Regional cooperation: The appointment provides a platform to deepen collaboration with neighbouring states on disaster risk reduction, climate resilience and marine spatial planning.
- Recognition of progress: India’s selection reflects global appreciation for its national geospatial policy, which liberalised mapping, encouraged private investment and emphasised open access to data.
Significance
- International standing: Leading a UN regional body elevates India’s voice in setting global geospatial standards and policy directions.
- Economic opportunity: Cooperation on geospatial infrastructure can unlock new markets for Indian startups and create jobs in surveying, mapping and analytics.
- Better governance: Improved geospatial data will aid urban planning, agriculture, disaster response and environmental management across Asia and the Pacific.
Conclusion
India’s co‑chairmanship of UN‑GGIM‑AP opens a window to shape geospatial policy at the regional level. By sharing its experience in digital mapping and advocating inclusive data governance, India can help the committee realise its vision of geospatial information for sustainable development.
Source: News on AIR · IBEF