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	  News in 2024
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	The Romanian Surveying Week 2024
		23 - 26, October, 2024, Bucharest , Romania
		The Romanian Surveying Week 2024, held from October 23 to 26 in 
		Bucharest, was a landmark event for the fields of geodesy and surveying 
		in Romania. Organized by the Romanian Surveyors Union (UGR) in 
		collaboration with the Faculty of Geodesy at the Technical University of 
		Civil Engineering Bucharest, the conference encompassed the 
		International Symposium GeoPreVi 2024, the FIG Young Surveyors European 
		Meeting, and workshops hosted by FIG Commission 9 and the European Group 
		of Surveyors (EGOS). 
		
		
		In his opening address, Mircea Afrăsinei, President of the Romanian 
		Surveyors Union, welcomed participants and highlighted the importance of 
		international cooperation in advancing geodetic and surveying 
		professions. His address emphasized Romania’s commitment to 
		strengthening ties with global partners and included a warm welcome to 
		the representatives from the Republic of Moldova, underscoring the 
		event's regional significance and its role in fostering collaboration 
		across borders.
		
		
		The event brought together leading experts from academia, industry, 
		and government, who explored current developments in geodesy, cadastral 
		work, property valuation, and land management. Central to the 
		discussions were the opportunities and challenges presented by new 
		technologies such as GIS, photogrammetry, remote sensing, and artificial 
		intelligence. Numerous lectures and technical sessions illustrated how 
		these innovations can enhance efficiency and accuracy in surveying. 
		A key highlight was the participation of distinguished international 
		representatives. Notable speakers included Peter Ache 
		from the FIG International Federation of Surveyors, Nikolaos 
		Zacharias of EGOS, Jean-Yves Pirlot, Director 
		General of the Council of European Geodetic Surveyors (CLGE), 
		and Hans Neuner from the Technical University 
		of Vienna. In a panel discussion, they addressed fundamental 
		issues concerning the future of surveying professions, emphasizing the 
		importance of international collaboration in advancing the profession 
		through technical innovation, ethical practices, and unified standards. 
		This discussion established a foundation for a shared understanding of 
		future needs and opportunities in geodesy, land management, and 
		valuation.
		
		
		The FIG Commission 9 presented innovative approaches 
		to promoting transparency in the real estate sector through automated 
		valuation models (AVMs) and AI-driven analytical methods. These 
		technologies aim to improve fairness and accessibility in property 
		valuation. The sessions highlighted the necessity of well-defined, 
		ethical standards and effective regulation to bolster public confidence 
		in the real estate market and ensure long-term market transparency.
		The Romanian Surveying Week 2024 provided a valuable 
		platform for knowledge exchange and networking among professionals 
		across Europe, establishing a robust foundation for the continued 
		advancement of geodesy and surveying.
		
		7th FIG Young Surveyors European Meeting
		The Young Surveyors European Meeting (YSEM) took place in Bucharest, 
		Romania, on the 23rd and 24th of October 2024, under the engaging theme 
		“Building Together: Surveyors Leading Tomorrow's Challenges.” This 
		landmark event attracted over 60 students, young professionals, seasoned 
		experts, and leaders from across Europe to delve into pressing issues, 
		share fresh perspectives, and chart a path forward for the surveying 
		profession. Significantly, this YSEM was the first in-person meeting 
		since the pandemic, making it a special opportunity for participants to 
		reconnect face-to-face, strengthening bonds that had previously been 
		sustained online.
		
		
		 
		FIG Commission 9 chair Peter Ache 
		November 2024