India Elected Co-Chair of UN-GGIM Asia-Pacific, Strengthening Global Geospatial Leadership

In a significant recognition of India's growing stature in the global geospatial community, Shri Hitesh Kumar S. Makwana, IAS, Surveyor General of India, has been elected as Co-Chair of the Regional Committee of the United Nations Global Geospatial Information Management for Asia and the Pacific (UN-GGIM-AP). The announcement was made during the 14th Plenary Meeting of UN-GGIM-AP, held from 24–26 September 2025 in Goyang-si, Republic of Korea, hosted by the National Geographic Information Institute (NGII) of Korea.

This prestigious election marks a new milestone in India's leadership in geospatial policy, technology, and collaboration, reaffirming the nation's commitment to advancing innovation, sustainable development, and regional capacity building across the Asia-Pacific region.

India's Growing Influence in Global Geospatial Governance

The UN-GGIM-AP is one of five regional committees under the umbrella of the United Nations Committee of Experts on Global Geospatial Information Management (UN-GGIM). It represents 56 national geospatial agencies across Asia and the Pacific and plays a pivotal role in shaping regional cooperation, knowledge-sharing, and policy harmonization in geospatial information management.

India's election to the Co-Chair position reflects international confidence in its technical expertise, institutional strength, and proactive engagement in promoting data-driven governance, digital transformation, and sustainable development goals (SDGs).

Over the past decade, India has made remarkable strides in integrating geospatial technology into national development agendas, through initiatives such as the National Geospatial Policy 2022, Digital India, and the Gati Shakti National Master Plan—a geospatially enabled digital platform designed to ensure coordinated infrastructure development across ministries.

The 14th Plenary Meeting: Shaping the Regional Geospatial Agenda

The 14th Plenary Meeting in Goyang-si brought together senior delegates, policymakers, and experts from across Asia-Pacific to deliberate on key regional priorities. Discussions focused on strengthening geospatial infrastructure, building capacity for disaster risk reduction, and leveraging data interoperability for sustainable economic and social outcomes.

The meeting featured progress reports from the Executive Board, Working Groups, and partner organizations, highlighting collaborative initiatives in geospatial data sharing, geospatial innovation, and good governance frameworks.

India's strong participation throughout the event underscored its commitment to the principles of inclusivity, cooperation, and results-driven leadership.

A Message of Collaboration and Vision

Upon his election, Shri Hitesh Kumar S. Makwana expressed gratitude to member states for their trust and confidence in India's leadership. He said, "I am deeply honoured by the trust that the Member States of the Asia-Pacific region have placed in India. As we look ahead to the upcoming term, I wholeheartedly seek the continued cooperation and active support of all Member States, partners, and stakeholders."

He further emphasized that the coming three-year term would focus on inclusive and resilient geospatial governance, guided by the UN-GGIM Strategic Framework. "Together with my fellow Co-Chair, Vice-Chairs, and Committee members," he added, "we will work collaboratively to ensure our collective efforts promote leadership, secure digital transformation, and good governance."

Shri Makwana outlined three strategic priorities for India's tenure:

1. Strengthening Regional Collaboration – Enhancing the exchange of knowledge, best practices, and technological solutions among Asia-Pacific nations.

2. Advancing Secure Digital Transformation – Encouraging the adoption of interoperable, transparent, and secure geospatial systems for better policy implementation.

3. Capacity Building and Inclusivity – Supporting smaller and developing member states in building technical capabilities and institutional frameworks for effective geospatial management.

India's Leadership in Geospatial Transformation

India's election comes at a time when geospatial technologies are increasingly seen as critical enablers of economic resilience, environmental monitoring, and urban planning. The Survey of India, under the Ministry of Science and Technology, has played a leading role in developing high-resolution mapping capabilities, open data frameworks, and spatial analytics platforms that support governance and development across multiple sectors.

Key national initiatives such as:

• SVAMITVA Scheme – using drone-based mapping to provide property ownership rights in rural areas,

• PM Gati Shakti – integrating spatial data for multimodal infrastructure planning, and

• National Geospatial Policy (NGP) 2022 – establishing a progressive regulatory environment for public–private geospatial collaboration,

have positioned India as a global model in leveraging geospatial data for inclusive growth and governance transformation.

Enhancing Asia-Pacific Geospatial Cooperation

Under India's co-chairmanship, UN-GGIM-AP is expected to accelerate efforts in several critical areas:

• Developing regional data-sharing standards to ensure interoperability among member states.

• Supporting the use of geospatial tools for climate resilience, disaster management, and sustainable urbanization.

• Facilitating joint research on AI and geospatial analytics, enabling smarter decision-making for governments.

• Promoting gender equality and youth engagement in the geospatial sector to foster an inclusive workforce.

Shri Makwana reiterated India's commitment to strengthening multilateral engagement, emphasizing that geospatial intelligence must serve humanity, by addressing challenges such as climate change, disaster risk management, and equitable urban development.

About UN-GGIM-AP and Its Global Role

The United Nations Global Geospatial Information Management (UN-GGIM) is the apex intergovernmental platform guiding international cooperation in geospatial data governance. Its regional arm, UN-GGIM-AP, works to maximize the economic, social, and environmental benefits of geospatial information through capacity building, innovation, and shared solutions.

By integrating geospatial data into national and global policy frameworks, UN-GGIM supports the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, providing critical insights for sectors such as agriculture, infrastructure, climate policy, and urban management.

A New Era of Regional Leadership

India's election as Co-Chair of UN-GGIM-AP marks a defining moment in its journey as a geospatial powerhouse. It reaffirms the country's role not just as a user, but as a global leader and enabler of geospatial innovation and cooperation.

As the Asia-Pacific region continues to navigate the challenges of digital transformation and climate adaptation, India's leadership promises to bring a vision of inclusivity, technology-driven governance, and regional solidarity to the forefront of global geospatial management.