Background

At its fifteenth session, UN-GGIM, through decision 15/111, noted the establishment of the UN-GGIM–IHO Joint Working Group on Marine Geospatial Information, consolidating the UN-GGIM Working Group on Marine Geospatial Information and the IHO Marine Spatial Data Infrastructure Working Group, and noted its terms of reference and working modalities. The Committee recognized that the consolidation would optimize resources and strengthen global coordination.

The Committee also noted the Working Group’s workplan, compilation report and future priorities, including the integration of terrestrial, maritime, built and cadastral domains, with a focus on the land–sea interface and integrated national strategies. It highlighted the importance of integrated geodetic information and unified reference systems (horizontal and vertical datums) to support climate resilience, the blue economy, coastal development, biodiversity and disaster risk management.

Marine geospatial information is essential to improve the availability and interoperability of high-quality, timely and reliable geospatial information for inland waters, seas and oceans, supporting governance, planning and sustainable development. Building on adopted standards and good practices, the Joint Working Group promotes integrated marine and terrestrial spatial data infrastructures within national geospatial information infrastructures, including standards and guidance for mapping the seas and oceans and integrating marine observations.