By outdoor-nature-child.com In the picturesque setting of Mogan Mountain, Deqing County in Huzhou, Zhejiang Province has emerged from the surrounding metropolises to become one of China’s leading hubs for geographic information technology. The transformation of Deqing can be attributed to its strategic positioning, timing, and direction—key components in unlocking its potential.
On October 21, the first United Nations Geospatial Knowledge and Innovation Week (referred to as Geospatial Week) officially kicked off in Deqing County. This four-day event, themed “Geospatial IDEAS Benefiting Our World,” aims to explore the myriad ways geographic information can enhance global living conditions.
During the opening ceremony, Liu Guohong, Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Natural Resources of China, highlighted the country’s commitment to strengthening international collaboration. He noted China’s role in hosting the inaugural United Nations World Geospatial Information Congress, emphasizing the sharing of high-resolution surface data and knowledge services, as well as cooperation in satellite remote sensing technologies. These initiatives contribute to capacity building in developing countries and the advancement of global geographic information systems.
United Nations Assistant Secretary-General Navid Hanif addressed the audience, defining “IDEAS” as an acronym for Innovation, Digital Inclusion, Equity, Accessibility, and Stakeholder Engagement. He stressed that infrastructure for managing geospatial information is indispensable in the digital age and plays a critical role in promoting sustainable development worldwide.
“Maps serve as a universal language, and advancements in geographic information technology have strengthened our connections within the global village,” Hanif said, emphasizing the importance of the event as experts from various countries gather in this small town in northern Zhejiang to discuss pressing issues.
According to the “China Geographic Information Industry Development Report (2024),” the country’s geographic information sector has shown promising growth in 2023, with a total industry output value reaching 811.1 billion RMB, over 220,000 enterprises in the field, and more than 4 million employees.
During the presentation of sustainable development case reports, Dejan Jakovljevic, Chief Information Officer of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations based in Rome, discussed the application of geographic information technology in agricultural development. He highlighted its critical role in addressing global challenges such as climate change and natural disasters, stating, “The FAO is dedicated to assisting member countries in their digital transformation, and the geographic information industry plays a vital part in that process.”
Tiziana Bonapace, Director of the Information and Disaster Risk Reduction Division at the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific, pointed out that the Asia-Pacific region faces severe digital divides, particularly for developing nations in terms of access to innovative technologies. She urged greater cooperation in geographic information within the region to ensure that all countries can reap the benefits.
The Geospatial Week, organized by the United Nations Global Geospatial Information Knowledge and Innovation Center—the first United Nations entity established in China—plans to occur every two years starting in 2024. This initiative aims to build a global ecosystem for geographic spatial information.