Geospatial Information and Services for Disasters

Background

Tbhis is a side event of the Sixth Session of the United Nations Committee of Experts on Global Geospatial Information Management (UN-GGIM).

At the time of a crisis, all required geospatial information should be accessible from authoritative sources to support decision making processes. The stakeholders, involved in the process, use the same geospatial information to ensure a common operational picture of the situation during the emergency response as well as the recovery and reconstruction phases.

A fact finding and analysis study, conducted by the Secretariat, has revealed that geospatial data, information and services necessary to support decision-making processes were generally not in place, particularly during the response phase. This issue was magnified in recent large scale events, such as Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan, 2013), Ebola outbreak (2014-2015) and the complex emergency situations in Iraq.

Given the above, UN-GGIM adopted the decision 5/110 at its Fifth Session in August 2015 for establishment of a working group to develop and implement a strategic framework on geospatial information and services for disasters. The working group, co-chaired by Philippines and Jamaica, was created, with representatives of 44 Member States and other related organizations. The working group formulated a UN-GGIM Strategic Framework on Geospatial Information and Services for Disasters for 2016-2030.

The goal of the strategic framework was defined as the timely availability of quality geospatial information and services in support of coordinated decision-making and operations across all sectors and phases of the emergency cycle; as well as the five strategic priorities for action to ensure its effective implementation across various levels of decision-making: (1) Governance and Policies, (2) Awareness Raising and Capacity Building, (3) Data Management, (4) Common Infrastructure and Services, and (5) Resource Mobilization.

Please be informed that the draft version of Strategic Framework on Geospatial Information and Services for Disasters 2016-2030 (presentation slides and document), and the draft version of Review of Framework, Rules, Legislation and Policies on Geospatial Information and Services for Disasters (document) are available on the UN-GGIM website.

Intended Audience

This is an open workshop and all Session Attendees are invited.