EXPERTS FROM 23 COUNTRIES MEET TO DISCUSS GLOBAL MAPPING, TO HELP IMPLEMENT ENVIRONMENTAL AGREEMENTS

13 November 1996

Press Release
DEV/2127

EXPERTS FROM 23 COUNTRIES MEET TO DISCUSS GLOBAL MAPPING, TO HELP IMPLEMENT ENVIRONMENTAL AGREEMENTS

19961113 Seminar Is Organized by United Nations, Geographical Survey Institute of Japan and University of California, Santa Barbara

NEW YORK, 13 November (DDSMS) -- A four-day seminar of experts on global mapping began today in Santa Barbara, California. It is organized jointly by the United Nations Department for Development Support and Management Services (DDSMS), the Geographical Survey Institute of Japan, and the University of California at Santa Barbara.

The event is being attended by 80 high-level experts from 23 countries, among them participants from 13 developing countries and two with economies in transition. They represent governmental and non-governmental organizations dealing with such disciplines as mapping and charting, environmental protection, forest management and protection of the oceans from pollution.

The programme for the seminar was developed jointly by the United Nations and by the University of California at Santa Barbara. The participants were invited individually by the United Nations.

Experts at the seminar are to prepare the "Santa Barbara Statement", and a report to be submitted to the next year's special session of the United Nations General Assembly on Implementation of Agenda 21, the Programme of Action adopted at the 1992 Conference on Environment and Development.

The mapping of critical core data to support decision-making for sustainable human development is incomplete in many parts of the world, and non-existent in some developing countries. Even when data do exist, they can be difficult to find, and at times even more difficult to access. Advanced technologies exist, but some geopolitical, institutional and infrastructure issues remain unresolved. Recognizing that the pursuit of many of the objectives of Agenda 21 will not be effective without improved availability and accessibility of spatial data on a global scale, the participants will: examine the present status of the global mapping concept; assess the needs for development and maintenance of global data sets to cope with regional and

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global problems; and set in motion steps for the development of close cooperation in implementation of the concept among national mapping organizations, related private and public organizations in each country, as well as international bodies and academic associations.

The Department for Development Support and Management Services has a long history of assisting governments in the development and use of maps and spatial data, with a mandate in cartography which dates from 1955. It has also cooperated with governments in formulating and implementing relevant technical cooperation projects to apply the results of research and the latest technological development. A number of seminars and training courses for developing countries have been conducted. The Department will continue, within its mandate, to assist the development of the global mapping.

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