NAMRIA Administrator, Usec. Peter N. Tiangco, led the Philippine delegation to the Ninth Session of the United Nations Committee of Experts on Global Geospatial Information Management (UN-GGIM) held at the UN Headquarters in New York on 05-09 August 2019.  The annual event provides a venue for Member States, international organizations, private sector, academe, and other thematic groups to engage in discussions on global issues and trends in geospatial information management (GIM).  The session emphasized the great potential of geospatial information in support of the sustainable development goals and highlights the UN-GGIM Bureau’s initiative to bridge the apparent digital geospatial divide.  Over 400 representatives from around the globe with expertise in the field of geography, geospatial information, statistics and other allied topics participated in this year’s event.

 

Administrator Tiangco introduces the report of the Working Group on Geospatial Information

and Services for Disasters during the 9^th UN-GGIM Plenary Session.

 

Administrator Tiangco, as co-chair, introduced the biennium report (2018-2019) of the Working Group on Geospatial Information and Services for Disasters (WG-Disasters) during the Plenary Session.  The report highlights the progress of the activities of the working group leading to the implementation of the Strategic Framework on Geospatial Information and Services for Disasters.   A significant activity of the working group is the development of an assessment tool that will gauge the implementation of the Strategic Framework among Member States.  The assessment tool aims to understand the national geospatial information and services landscape across all phases of disasters within Member States and accordingly assists in the development of a national implementation plan.  Administrator Tiangco also cited the Philippines’ efforts through NAMRIA to raise awareness on the Strategic Framework among national agencies and other stakeholders with responsibility for disaster risk reduction and management.

 

 

At the working group’s side event on 05 August 2019, Administrator Tiangco also presided over the discussions on its future work direction.  The group agreed that geospatial information and services in support of disasters is an important issue and should be maintained as a work item on the UN-GGIM agenda.  With the working group members’ expertise, it is deemed critical to include knowledge sharing as part of the implementation of the Strategic Framework.

 

The Philippines, having steered the WG-Disasters for four years since 2015, is honored to have made a significant contribution to advancing geospatial information management in the area of DRRM.  As the working group progresses towards the implementation of the Strategic Framework, the Philippines believes that Japan, with its expertise in DRRM, will be in the position to effectively lead the working group as Co-chair together with Jamaica.  In turn, Japan graciously assumed the responsibility from the outgoing co-chair.  

 

Mr. Kyoung-Soo Eom, representing the UN-GGIM Bureau, expressed his appreciation to Administrator Tiangco, for his outstanding leadership and contribution to the UN-GGIM Committee of Experts as Co-Chair of the Working Group on Geospatial Information and Services for Disasters.  Mr.  Eom, likewise extended his appreciation to the members of the NAMRIA team, particularly Deputy Administrator Efren P. Carandang and Director John Santiago F. Fabic. 

 

The other members of the Philippine delegation were Ms. Kira Christianne D. Azucena, Chargé d'Affaires, a.i., Philippine Mission to the United Nations; Ms. Leila Lora C. Santos, Minister, Philippine Mission to the United Nations; Mr. Benjamin P. Balais, Assistant Director, Geospatial Information System Management Branch; Ms. Rosa H. Dolanas, Information Systems Analyst III, Geospatial Database Management Division; Ms. Rochelle N. Chen, Attaché, Philippine Mission to the United Nations.