India elected as Co-Chair of the Regional Committee of United Nations Global Geospatial Information Management for Asia and the Pacific (UN-GGIM-AP) for 2025-2028 term
India elected as Co-Chair of the Regional Committee of United Nations Global Geospatial Information Management for Asia and the Pacific (UN-GGIM-AP) for 2025-2028 term
India represented by the Surveyor General of India, Shri Hitesh Kumar S. Makwana, IAS, has been elected to the prestigious position of Co-Chair of the Regional Committee of United Nations Global Geospatial Information Management for Asia and the Pacific (UN-GGIM-AP).
The elections were conducted during the fourteenth Plenary Meeting of UN-GGIM-AP held from 24-26 September, 2025 in Goyang-si, Republic of Korea, hosted by the National Geographic Information Institute (NGII), Republic of Korea. The Meeting brought together delegates from member states, technical experts and observers to discuss issues relevant in geospatial information management across the Asia-Pacific region. Reports were presented by the Executive Board, working groups, and partner organizations on their progress and future plans.
India’s election as Co-Chair highlights growing leadership of India in the global geospatial arena and acknowledges its contribution in advancing innovation, capacity building, and regional collaboration. With the support of all member states of Asia-Pacific region, India looks forward to a productive three-year term aligned with the UN-GGIM Strategic Framework.
Speaking on the occasion, Shri Makwana said; “I am deeply honoured by the trust that the Member States of the Asia-Pacific region have placed in India. As we look ahead to the upcoming term, I wholeheartedly seek the continued cooperation and active support of all Member States, partners, and stakeholders.
Together with my fellow Co-Chair, Vice-Chairs, and Committee members, I am committed to working collaboratively with each of you to ensure our collective efforts are inclusive, resilient, and results-driven. “
He further mentioned that, in the coming term, our initiatives will be closely aligned with the UN-GGIM Strategic Framework—focusing on strong leadership, secure digital transformation, and good governance. We will promote data-driven decision-making, inclusivity, and transparency, while strengthening partnerships and building capacity to deliver measurable impact across the Asia-Pacific region. He expressed gratitude for the continued confidence and support, and conveyed his eagerness to further collaborate in advancing a more connected, capable, and forward-looking geospatial community.
The election of the Surveyor General of India as Co-Chair is expected to further enhance India’s role in shaping policies and strategies for effective geospatial information management across the Asia-Pacific region.
About-UN-GGIM-AP: The UN-GGIM-AP is one of the five regional committees of the United Nations Committee of Experts on Global Geospatial Information Management (UN-GGIM). Representing the National Geospatial Information Agencies of 56 countries in Asia and the Pacific region, it works to maximize the economic, social, and environmental benefits of geospatial information through cooperation, capacity development, and shared solutions.
UN-GGIM is the apex inter-governmental mechanism for making joint decisions and setting directions with regard to the production, availability and use of geospatial information within national, regional and global policy frameworks. UN-GGIM aims to address global challenges regarding the use of geospatial information, including in the development agendas, to serve as a body for global policymaking in the field of geospatial information management.
