We are entering into an era of unprecedented changes that posit an existential threat to humanity. At this critical juncture, geospatial knowledge and its myriad applications play a pivotal role in combatting challenges and preparing us for the great transformation of 4IR that will reimagine our lives.
As we recover from pandemic disruption, the risk of climate change, geo-political turmoil and other unforeseen devastations still loom large, turning resilience into not just a watchword but a spirited call to action.
The key to a safe, secure, and inclusive world for future generations lies in constant planetary observation, monitoring, evaluation and coordinated action for impact. There is no alternative to the power of geospatial and Earth observation here, and the realm of endless possibilities unveiled by them.
Digital technologies such as Cloud, Big Data, AI, and IoT that have become the engines of the booming digital economy, have a symbiotic and mutually enriching relation with geospatial. Spatial component enhances and advances them, and they in turn expand the horizons for geospatial use.
Today, Location serves as the crucial pillar of 4IR, enabling disruptive innovations and driving smart solutions. The ‘Geospatial Way’ is the only way to collect, segment, process, analyze and utilize information for the realization of the Global Development Agenda.
Robust geospatial institutional infrastructure and policies that can promote technology adoption and implementation across all walks of life, is the need of the hour.
India’s integrated policy reform
India, home to 20% of the world’s population, is the world’s third largest economy by purchasing power parity. The country, in recent years, has been at the forefront of developing modern infrastructure and providing essential facilities to its citizens.
In 2019, the Indian Government laid out the ambitious Vision 2030 to become a 10 trillion dollar economy by 2030. Geospatial is at the core of this vision.
The New Geospatial Policy enacted last year was a momentous development as it liberalized India’s thriving geospatial sector, giving it a fresh impetus for dynamic growth. The draft Space Bill is also a step in the same direction.
Leveraging the power of geospatial information and technologies will help India expedite its multi-dimensional goals of financial growth combined with sustainable development. Geospatial Systems can make Indian industry more efficient and competitive, as PM Modi says.
2020 and 2021 have been seminal in the transformation of Indian geospatial industry. The Geospatial Data Guidelines, the Drone Rules 2021, and the Draft Policies on Geospatial, Remote Sensing, and Satellite Navigation will liberalize, democratize, and commercialize the use of geospatial data and information for planning and monitoring requirements within the country and boosting entrepreneurship.
The integrated policy reform will create an environment that promotes scalability of applications and amplification of impact, benefitting all the stakeholders.
Geospatial has become the base for innovation in mission mode projects like National Infrastructure Pipeline, National Hydrology Project, Gati Shakti National Master Plan for Infrastructure, SVAMITVA scheme (Survey of Villages and Mapping with Improvised Technology), Digital India Land Records Modernization Programme, Integrated Power Development Scheme, Namami Ganga Programme, the Smart Cities Mission and the Jal Jeevan Mission, among many others.
The global geospatial community is coming together in Hyderabad
As India celebrates 75 years of its independence, the Government of India takes great honor to host the Second United Nations World Geospatial Information Congress, scheduled for 10-14 October 2022 in the city of Hyderabad.
The Congress will promote comprehensive dialogue on global geospatial information management with all relevant governments, non-governmental organizations, the private sector and academia, as mandated by the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) to the Committee of Experts on Global Geospatial Information Management, a subsidiary body of ECOSOC.
With an overarching theme “Geo-Enabling the Global Village: No one should be left behind”, the programme has developed significantly over the last few months and includes a high-level Opening Ceremony, three Plenary Sessions and a comprehensive programme of Parallel Sessions related to the themes of the Congress.
The Plenary Sessions will be dedicated to how geospatial information is important for: Supporting Sustainable Development and the Wellbeing of Society; Environmental and Climate Challenges; and Embracing Digital Transformation and Technological Development. Two Special Sessions focus on the United Nations Integrated Geospatial Information Framework as a mechanism for strengthening of nationally integrated geospatial information management towards transformative change. The International Advisory Committee of the Congress has also developed a parallel session programme that is anchored on the nine Strategic Pathways of the Integrated Geospatial Information Framework.
The Indian geospatial community looks forward to share experiences and learnings with the global community at the Congress and contribute to the growing body of geospatial knowledge infrastructure.
If you are interested to join us and participate in the Congress, do register your interest at https://unwgic2022.in/registration.php before 23 September 2022.
