News in 2018

FIG Asia Pacific Capacity Development Network Report from the Congress

7 May 2018, Istanbul, Turkey

As the FIG Asia Pacific Capacity Development Network Chair a special forum on “Asia Pacific Capacity Development Network” was convened, and an invitation to participate in the United Nations Geodesy Sub-Committee on “Education Training and Capacity Building in Geodesy” forum as the FIG nominee was accepted .  As the titles suggest both forums were intrinsically linked with respect to geodetic capacity development activities and the plans for the future. The total number of the delegates at these forums was almost 60.

Although time was limited, there was some interesting discussions that occurred in each forum.  The dialogue by the participants was a result of “flash” but stimulating presentations, which were focused on topics such as -

• Geospatial challenges and trends
• Role and Activities of - Manufacturers, Survey & Mapping Agencies, Professional Organisations, UN GGIM
• Qualifications, Mutual Recognition
• Draft of the UN GGIM Geodesy Sub-committee Education, Training and Capability Building strategy
• Surveyors in the Digital World
• Women in Surveying
• Pacific Geospatial Surveying Council 10 year Strategy

Note - to view the presentations please navigate to the formal proceedings of both sessions that were held on Monday 7 May 2018 – http://www.fig.net/fig2018/technical_program.htm

From the discussions a summary of the forums outcomes for the FIG General Assembly was prepared, and is as follows –

Recognising the global geospatial information challenges and trends, such as

• Impact of rapid urbanisation, and smart cities
• Influence of disruptive technologies and digitisation
• Permeation of ubiquitous positioning into the community
• Earth dynamics and modernisation of geospatial reference systems
• Importance of building resilience for disasters / emergency management

Surveyors MUST enhance their capabilities to tackle these challenges.
To develop their capability Surveyors (and agencies) need to initially consider –

• Formulating a capacity building strategy, framework and implementation plans for the sub regions of Asia and the Pacific that focus on the needs / priorities
• Identifying core competencies for geospatial / geodetic surveying (see table below)
• Investigating who can provide the required professional development
• Examining mutual recognition of survey qualifications
• Further collaboration with FIG AP CDN, UN GGIM AP, UN ETCB

Moving forward the FIG AP CDN, UN GGIM AP Working Group 1, and UN ETCB will prepare proposals to the relevant hosts to convene a –

• Workshop for decision makers to discuss and form a capacity development plan for geodesists / surveyors in Asia and the Pacific. Location - Deqing, China Nov. 2018 @UN World Geospatial Information Congress; UN GGIM AP Plenary
• Technical workshop on GNSS CORS infrastructure and operations for the Pacific Island Countries and Territories. Location - Nadi, Fiji Sept / Oct 2018 @ Pacific Geospatial Surveying Council meeting.
  Furthermore follow up meetings should occur at -

FIG Working Week, April 22-26, 2019 in Hanoi, Vietnam. For more information, please visit www.fig.net/fig2019

Finally a special highlight at the FIG Congress was the presentation of the “Pacific Geospatial Surveying Council 10 year Strategy – Positioning the Pacific Islands for the Future” to current FIG President Ms. Chryssy Potsiou, and the incoming FIG President Mr. Rudolf Staiger by the Fiji’s Surveyor General Mr Asakaia Tabua. To view the strategy please navigate to here

Rob Sarib
June 2018

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