Second United Nations World Congress on Geospatial Information

Emphasis was placed on the importance of “Community”, “Collaboration” and “Engagement” with the United Nations Integrated Geospatial Information Framework (UN-IGIF) in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, addressing climate-related challenges and not leave no one behind at the Congress organized by the Government of the Republic of India in Hyderabad. The Congress program, from October 11-13, included three plenary sessions with nine keynote speakers with diverse experiences and perspectives, coming from different backgrounds and geographies. Each addressed the main focus of the plenary sessions: supporting sustainable development and well-being of society, embracing digital transformation and technological development, environmental and climate challenges, and reinforced the importance of working together. Alongside the plenary sessions, there were four special sessions consisting mainly of panels with representatives of national agencies of the Member States, and another forty parallel thematic sessions. In total, there were 121 presenters. Within the week of the Congress, from October 10 to 14, two special events were held with a particular focus on children, youth and underrepresented groups. There were also eight side events and three formal meetings.