GeoTalks
Once a month the UN Geospatial Network convenes short GeoTalks session which aim to increase the awareness on the contribution of the geospatial data and expertise for Member States, the United Nations and beyond for better decision-making and data-driven action. The GeoTalks are short “get to know your geo” sessions to share knowledge on the latest geospatial innovation, data to understand our world, and meeting geo-experts from the United Nations system.
This GeoTalks on March 2026, hosted by the leadership of the UN Geospatial Network, featured Mr. Alvaro Mauricio Monett Hernandez from the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) on “Advancing National Geospatial Capacity through UN-IGIF and GSGF in Latin America and the Caribbean.”. The session outlines its ongoing efforts to support Member States in implementing global geospatial frameworks, particularly the United Nations Integrated Geospatial Information Framework (UN-IGIF) and the Global Statistical Geospatial Framework (GSGF). It highlights a range of country-level and regional initiatives, including policy development, national strategies, technical assistance and capacity-building activities such as subregional workshops and training programmes. A key role of ECLAC in fostering regional collaboration and advancing the integration of statistical and geospatial information is highlighted, including through initiatives that strengthen institutional coordination, data ecosystems and geospatial infrastructure such as geoportals across the region.
This GeoTalks on 27 February 2026, hosted by the Chair of the UN Geospatial Network, welcomed Mr. Brian Blankespoor at the World Bank Group (WB). The topic of the GeoTalks was “Open Access Geospatial Data on a Livable Planet.”. The presentation demonstrated geospatial activities across the portfolios, highlighting the Sustainable development goals Atlas, poverty inequality interactive platform, geo-enhancement of surveys, GDP, Biodiversity, GHG emissions, etc.