United Nations World Geospatial Information Congress (UNWGIC)
2018-11-19 10:00 - 2018-11-21 17:30 (America/Toronto) | Deqing International Convention Center, 120 New Gower St., St John's, Newfoundland, A1C 6K4, Canada
The United Nations Statistics Division (UNSD), as the Secretariat for the Committee of Experts on Global Geospatial Information Management (UN-GGIM), in collaboration with the Government of China, through the Ministry of Natural Resources and the Zhejiang Provincial Government, will be hosting the United Nations World Geospatial Information Congress (UNWGIC) in Deqing, Zhejiang Province, China from 19-21 November 2018.
The convening of the UNWGIC arises out of the mandate from the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) to the Committee of Experts to convene global forums to promote comprehensive dialogue on global geospatial information management with all relevant governments, non-governmental organizations and the private sector.
With an overarching theme “The Geospatial Way to a Better World” the UNWGIC will be a truly global event bringing together all stakeholders at the highest level to address and ensure that geospatial information has its widest and fullest utility in service of social, economic and environmental development. The aim of the Congress is to provide a convening, participatory and inclusive environment to enhance the communication, understanding, knowledge and application of geospatial information management to address local, regional and global challenges.
The UNWGIC will feature a high-level Opening Session, a Ministerial Dialogue and 4 Plenary Sessions dedicated to:

1. Attaining Sustainable Development;
2. Sharing the Digital Economy;
3. Building Smart Societies; and
4. Growing International Cooperation.

Through 7 dedicated thematic parallel sessions, the UNWGIC will then discuss:

1. Measuring and Monitoring the SDGs;
2. Digital Economy, Location Analytics and Big Data;
3. Smart, Resilient and Sustainable Societies;
4. Growing Global Geospatial Capability and Capacity;
5. Geospatial Innovation, Science and Technology;
6. Digital Silk Road and International Partnerships; and
7. Sustainable Development in Action.

Through 3 special sessions, the UNWGIC will showcase:

1. Measuring Deqing’s Progress Towards the SDGs with Geo-Statistical Information;
2. The UN-GGIM/ World Bank Integrated Geospatial Information Framework; and a
3. Young Professionals Summit convened by young professionals.

The UNWGIC will reflect the importance of geospatial information to support technological development, address the development and strengthening of geospatial information management systems and capacities, and demonstrate the importance of international coordination and cooperation for building a human data and geography community, against the three pillars of sustainable development, for a shared future and a better world, in which all are able to be counted within an inclusive global society.
While the actual UNWGIC plenary program covers three days (19-21 November), the overall event will be a week long (19-23 November), and will include global and regional meetings, workshops and learning events, side events and meetings, including the annual (2018) plenary meeting of national representatives from Member States to the Regional Committee of United Nations Global Geospatial Information Management for Asia and the Pacific (UN-GGIM-AP), as well as the annual UN-GGIM Expanded Bureau meeting.

Contact details:

Logistical Arrangements:
Ms. Vilma Frani
Global Geospatial Information Management
United Nations Statistics Division
Department of Economics and Social Affairs
Tel: +1 (917) 367-2903
Email: frani@un.org

Substantive Arrangements:
Mr. Greg Scott
Global Geospatial Information Management
United Nations Statistics Division
Department of Economics and Social Affairs
Tel: +1 (212) 963-8578
Email: scott12@un.org

Ottawa November GeoSpatial Foundations Conference Social
2018-11-19 18:00 - 20:00 | James Street Pub, 390 Bank St., Ottawa, K2P 1Y5
At the November Ottawa GoGeomatics social, Managing Director of GoGeomatics Jonathan Murphy will share the GoGeomatics Canada vision for a new national geospatial conference for Canada.
Jonathan will discuss current plans, partners, and themes for this inaugural 2 day event. This conference is in planning stages now, and is slated to arrive in Spring 2019.
GoGeomatics Canada has grown in capacity over the past 7 years, and it’s with energy and enthusiasm our volunteers, stakeholders and partners are coming together to create what we are calling Canadian Geospatial Foundations Conference.
Join us on November November 19th at the James Street Pub to learn more about the conference and opportunities to participate in the planning and execution of the two day event. Jonathan will be asking attendees for feedback on what they would like to see at the first Canadian Geospatial Foundations Conference!
