There is a growing and recognized consensus that interoperable, high quality and timely geospatial information and analysis are a prerequisite for good policymaking. The Policy briefs are developed to showcase the societal, environmental and economic benefits of geospatial information. The Policy briefs aim to showcase, through global perspectives and national use cases, the benefits of advancing and investing in geospatial information capacities for for informing critical policy issues, providing evidence for alternative policy interventions, and monitoring progress on current and future global agendas and national priorities, as aligned with Economic and Social Council resolution 2022/24.
The Policy briefs are developed at the request by Member States to help develop advocate and raise awareness on geospatial information, targeting policy makers and senior representatives, through simple communication materials. The development of Policy briefs are also rooted in decision 15/105 which welcomed the communication materials developed by the High-level Group, noting their importance in raising awareness and supporting global capacity-development efforts, and further encouraged Member States to contribute to the development of case studies demonstrating the benefits of the geospatial information and the implementation of the United Nations Integrated Geospatial Framework (UN-IGIF).
Wildfires are increasing in intensity, scale, and frequency across many regions of the world, driven by prolonged
drought, rising temperatures and extreme weather. These changes pose urgent threats to communities, infrastructure and ecosystems, with growing impacts on public health, economic activity and biodiversity.
Timely situational awareness, coordinated operational systems and clear evacuation protocols are essential to protect lives, properties, assets and ecosystems. Swift and strategic response by authorities, informed by reliable data and analysis during rapidly evolving incidents will safeguard communities and minimize risks.
Inclusive land governance is fundamental to equitable development, effective service delivery, and social cohesion in contexts where Indigenous peoples and traditional leaders play a central role in land management. While many countries formally recognise customary tenure and Indigenous rights, these commitments often remain weakly embedded within land administration, development planning, and infrastructure delivery systems. As a result, communities living under customary systems frequently experience persistent gaps in basic services, investment, and participation in decision-making.
Addressing these challenges requires moving beyond symbolic recognition toward institutionalised inclusion, coordinated planning, and strengthened governance arrangements. Embedding customary land rights within land administration and development processes, alongside meaningful participation of Indigenous and traditional authorities, can improve accountability, reduce conflict, and enable more inclusive and sustainable development outcomes.
Climate change and sea level rise represent an escalating and existential threat to coastal and island nations, urban settlements, infrastructure systems, and natural ecosystems. According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), global mean sea level is rising at an accelerating rate, driven by thermal expansion and ice-sheet loss, with disproportionate impacts on Small Island Developing States (SIDS) and low-lying coastal regions.
International frameworks—including the Paris Agreement, the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction, and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development—call for urgent, coordinated action to strengthen resilience, reduce exposure, and support adaptation. Yet, many countries remain constrained by fragmented institutions, limited decision-support systems, and insufficient integration of climate, land, infrastructure, and socioeconomic information.
Peace and security challenges are becoming increasingly complex and interconnected, driven by hybrid threats,
critical infrastructure vulnerabilities, cyber incidents, climate-related hazards, and cascading risks across
borders and sectors. These dynamics place growing pressure on governments to anticipate emerging risks,
coordinate responses across institutions, and maintain national resilience.
In many countries, however, peace and security responses remain constrained by siloed information systems, unclear institutional roles, and limited interoperability between defense (including Land, Air, Sea, and Space operations), emergency management, and civilian authorities. Without coherent approaches to information governance and coordination, governments face delayed decision-making, reduced situational awareness, and heightened exposure to systemic shocks.
Strengthening national frameworks for information governance and institutional coordination is therefore central to safeguarding populations, infrastructure, and stability.
Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI), including digital identity, instant payments, and data exchange, is widely recognized as a core driver of inclusive economic growth and sustainable development. These digital systems depend on microsecond-level timing and precise positioning to authenticate identities, timestamp financial transactions, and synchronize global communication networks. That accuracy is delivered by global navigation satellite systems (GNSS) such as Global Positioning System (GPS), BeiDou, and Galileo, whose signals are only reliable because they are anchored to mathematical models derived from ground-based Earth observation measurements. However, the resilience of these highly visible digital layers rests entirely upon a fragile, largely invisible foundation: the global geodesy supply chain. However, the resilience of these highly visible digital layers rests entirely upon a fragile, largely invisible foundation: the global geodesy supply chain. Currently operating in a governance vacuum and without binding international treaties or sustainable operational financing, this foundational layer is ageing and degrading. To fulfil the Pact for the Future’s commitments of “inclusive, responsible, safe, secure, and user-centred” DPI, Member States should recognize the importance of the global geodesy supply chain, coordinate multilateral action and ensure sustained investments to safeguard this foundational infrastructure to prevent catastrophic macroeconomic disruptions and secure the global digital economy.