Authoritative data in an evolving geospatial landscape: an exploration of policy and legal challenges (E/C.20/2023/16/Add.2)
The Committee of Experts on Global Geospatial Information Management, at its thirteenth session, in decision 13/112, endorsed the paper entitled 'Authoritative data in an evolving geospatial landscape: an exploration of policy and legal challenges', developed through a collaborative and inclusive global consultation process to address the issues related to authoritative data. The paper is intended as a policy and legal guide to help national geospatial entities, including national mapping, cadastral and land registration authorities, as well as the private sector and civil society, to better produce, sustain and govern the use of geospatial information that is deemed authoritative and trusted, and to be used as a supplement in the implementation of the UN-IGIF strategic pathways relating to authority and authoritativeness.
Compendium on Licensing of Geospatial Information
At its eighth session held from 1 - 3 August 2018, the Committee of Experts on Global Geospatial Information Management applauded the Working Group for its efforts, including a global consultation process, that allowed the finalization and endorsement by the Committee the Compendium on Licensing of Geospatial Information as contained in document E/C.20/2018/9/Add.2. The Compendium is a comprehensive document on the licensing of geospatial information, and able to assist Member States to understand legal and policy considerations that impact the collection, use, storage and dissemination of geospatial information, and can serve as a foundation document for several other initiatives, including developing good practices in the future.
Compendium on Licensing of Geospatial Information (E/C.20/2018/9/Add.2)
Integrated Geospatial Information Framework
At its eighth session, the Committee of Experts on Global Geospatial Information Management commended the Secretariat, World Bank and the many actors within the Committee for contributing to the formulation of the Integrated Geospatial Information Framework as an important and practical global guide and adopted Part 1, the Overarching Strategic Framework (E/C.20/2018/13/Add.1 Annex II), as a forward-looking Framework that provides the overarching strategic messages and expansive, integrated national framework, focusing on the policy, perspectives and key elements of geospatial information as a high-level reference document for growing geospatial awareness for policy and decision makers.
Resource to facilitate data sharing and exchange
UN-GGIM at its Twelfth Session, in its decision 12/112 (b), noted that the Working Group together with the Centre for Spatial Law and Policy and the Secretariat embarked on an initiative to prepare and develop draft legal instruments (agreement, policy, legislation) as resources that Member States can consider, adapt, and tailor to their national (or sub-national) circumstances when implementing the UN-IGIF. The context being to promote data sharing and exchange, and improve the availability, accessibility, and usability of geospatial information. This resource, a policy and legal resource kit, includes: a) annotated geospatial data sharing agreement; b) form geospatial information management policy; and c) model geospatial information management legislation; as resource materials. The resource kit will be made available to supplement the guidance and recommended actions within the UN-IGIF Implementation Guide - Strategic Pathway 2, support the development of country-level Action Plan, and the implementation of the UN-IGIF at the country-level (E/C.20/2022/16/Add.1; Paragraph 20 and 21)..