From a UN Mandate to Commitment for Global Geodesy
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UN-GGIM – Subcommittee on Geodesy UN RESOLUTION In February 2015 the UN General Assembly adopted the resolution “A Global Newsletter Geodetic Reference Frame for Sustainable Development” – the first resolution recognizing the importance of a globally-coordinated approach to geodesy. July / August 2018 The UN-GGIM Subcommittee on Geodesy was inaugurated in Mexico City in November 2017. The subcommittee is now presenting the position paper defining appropriate governance arrangements for the GGRF, and has finalised 08 the roadmap implementation plan. unggrf.org From a UN mandate to commitment for global geodesy Without commitment by Member States, the Global Geodetic Reference Frame (GGRF) will be in danger of degradation over time and consequently gradually lose its required accuracy and fundamental role in societal and scientific applications. As demonstrated by the GGRF Governance Position Paper a UN GGRF convention could be the long-term solution to this problem. to upgrade their own contribution to GGRF to enhance its quality,” says Gary Johnston, co-chair of the UN-GGIM Subcommittee on Geodesy, representing Australia. BJØRN-OWE HOLMBERG While many countries have a willing- PHOTO: ness to cooperate in this way, currently no clear mechanism exists to facilitate cooperation, especially where the sharing of resources is required. Facilitate commitment “It is our belief that a UN convention on geodesy will create such a mechanism. Coupled with the possible NY-ÅLESUND: Dr. Zuheir Altamimi, France, is responsible for the international terrestrial creation of a UN trust account, which reference frame. He encourages nations to follow Norway’s and Australia’s examples. would provide a financial mechanism “The UN General Assembly resolution examples to follow by other nations”, for donor contribution to this on the GGRF for sustainable devel- says Zuheir Altamimi, France. effort, we believe many of the opment calls for commitments by current barriers to success will become Member States to improving national No one country can do this alone far more manageable, therefore geodetic infrastructure as an essential “For the global geodetic reference improving the outcome for all UN means to enhance the global geodetic frame to be sustainable all countries Member States, and the eventual reference frame. Without commitment need to play a role, with many of the successful and sustainable enhance- by Member States, the GGRF will be developed countries providing assis- ment of the Global Geodetic in danger of degradation over time tance to the less developed countries Reference Frame”, says Johnston. where possible, while also continuing and consequently will gradually lose “The legal framework allowable by a its required accuracy and fundamental UN convention should provide a basis role in societal and scientific applica- for the coordination of joint work of tions. The current developments and Member States in the field of global ANDRICK LAL investments to enhance the geodetic geodesy. It will also provide govern- infrastructure in Australia, and more PHOTO: mental support and attention to the recently the inauguration of the development of the GGRF both at new geodetic Earth observatory in the national and the global level”, Ny-Ålesund by Norway are concrete says Alexey Trifonov, co-chair of the PACIFIC ISLANDS: GPS for defining UN-GGIM Subcommittee on Geodesy, territorial sea baseline on the Gilbert Islands of Kiribati. representing the Russian Federation. United Nations Committee of Experts on ggim.un.org UN-GGIM Global Geospatial Information Management Newsletter 08 UN-GGIM – Subcommittee on Geodesy #GGRF / @unggrf / unggrf.org The Global Geodetic Reference Frame – towards sustainability 2015: 2016: 2018: Next step: Mandate Plan Action Commitment The UN General Assembly The UN-GGIM Committee The UN-GGIM UN-GGIM facilitates adopted the resolution of Experts endorsed the Subcommittee on Geodesy Member State commitment ‘A global geodetic Road Map for the Global presents the GGRF Road to the GGRF in accordance reference frame for Geodetic Reference Frame Map Implementation plan with the UN General sustainable development’. (GGRF) and noted the and the Governance Assembly Resolution need for an appropriate Position Paper to the (A/RES/69/266) and the governance structure in UN-GGIM Committee GGRF Road Map order to effectively of Experts. recommendations. implement the Road Map. “In a formal program evaluation in ”In order to ensure long-term 2018 the Government of Canada noted policies related to the development of significant program integrity concerns the GGRF in developing countries like about global and (thereby) our national Argentina, the GGRF UN-convention geodetic reference systems, echoing is an essential governance mechanism concerns raised at the UN-GGIM level. that will encourage legislators Canada views the establishment of and stakeholders to invest in a stronger governance in Geodesy as an more homogeneously-distributed important means to ensure integrity of geodetic infrastructure.” the fundamental systems that support Diego Piñon, Argentina the Global Geodetic Reference Frame (GGRF) and client access to this frame.” Calvin Klatt, Canada ARGENTINA: Recent relative-gravity campaign to strenghten the GGRF. The GGRF Governance Position Paper PHOTO: INSTITUTO GEOGRÁFICO NACIONAL ARGENTINA Recommends to: “The establishment of a GGRF UN- convention will most likely have positive 1. Start an investigation regarding impact outside of the GGRF. Successful the establishment of a GGRF UN- establishment of such a convention will convention to enable Member States clearly demonstrate the importance of to commit to the development UN-GGIM and the UN-GGIM decisive- BJØRN-OWE HOLMBERG and sustainability of the GGRF ness and ability to act. It will likely raise 2. Investigate the future need the awareness and profile of geospatial PHOTO: for a professional operations data in general.” organisation for the GGRF Laila Løvhøiden, Norway, lead of the GGRF Governance 3. Strengthen the subcommittee on MALAWI: Towards an accurate, Focus Group. Geodesy as a governance arrange- sustainable and accessible global geodetic reference frame. ment for the GGRF by revising the subcommittee Terms of Reference. 4. Initiate the establishment of a “A global reference frame is key if you want to be able to compare data UN GGRF trust fund to support and from all continents; and to empower scientists from all parts of the world promote Member State activities – to really give precise information, to make the planet a better place.” Erik Solheim, Executive Director, United Nations Environment Programme United Nations Committee of Experts on ggim.un.org UN-GGIM Global Geospatial Information Management.