In 2011, with resolution 2011/24, the United Nations Economic and Social Council, of which the Committee of Experts on Global Geospatial Information Management is a subsidiary body, “encouraged Member States to convene regular high-level, multi-stakeholder discussions on global geospatial information, including through global forums, in order to promote comprehensive dialogue among all relevant actors. In response to this mandate, the United Nations World Geospatial Information Congress (UNWGIC) was established as a flagship global forum to provide a convening, participatory and inclusive environment that enhances communication, understanding, knowledge-sharing and the application of geospatial information management.
The inaugural United Nations World Geospatial Information Congress was held in Deqing, Zhejiang Province from 19 to 21 November 2018. The inaugural UNWGIC, organised by the United Nations, was hosted by the Government of China through its Ministry of Natural Resources and supported by the Zhejiang Province. The 1st UNWGIC in Deqing substantively improved and strengthened the role of geospatial information management, innovation and related technologies towards implementing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and to keep the promise to leave no one behind. The theme, "The Geospatial Way to a Better World", resonated with over 2000 participants and exhibitors from all continents, who resolved to work together to develop a human data and geography community for a shared and better future, and to keep the promise to leave no one behind by fostering effective cross-sector and interdisciplinary international, regional and local collaboration and partnerships, and to support national development priorities.
The Second United Nations World Geospatial Information Congress was hosted by the Government of the Republic of India through its Ministry of Science and Technology in Hyderabad from 10-14 October 2022, bringing together global leaders, policymakers, industry experts, and the geospatial community under the theme “Geo-Enabling the Global Village: No One Should Be Left Behind.”
The Congress served as a vital platform to advance dialogue on integrated geospatial information management, digital transformation, and sustainable development. It showcased innovative applications of geospatial technologies in addressing global challenges, while fostering international collaboration, knowledge exchange, and capacity development. It brought together over 2,000 participants from more than 120 countries, reflecting its truly global reach and significance. The 2nd UNWGIC reaffirmed the critical role of geospatial information in supporting evidence-based decision-making and achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, leaving a lasting legacy for future editions of the Congress.
The Congress convenes under the theme “Navigating the Next Frontier: Embracing the Digital Renaissance and a New Geospatial Paradigm,” bringing together the global geospatial community to collectively explore and shape the future of geospatial information management.
16-19 November 2026