Over recent decades, climate change has increasingly been recognised as one of the defining challenges of our time, exposing critical gaps in countries’ capacities to anticipate, monitor and respond to emerging risks. These challenges are particularly acute in coastal countries and Small Island Developing States (SIDS), where sea-level rise, coastal erosion, saline intrusion and the growing frequency and intensity of extreme weather events are placing unprecedented pressure on communities, infrastructure, ecosystems and national economies.
The impacts of these hazards extend far beyond immediate physical damage. They contribute to displacement, food and water insecurity, disruptions to critical infrastructure and essential services, and the erosion of hard-won development gains. As risks become increasingly interconnected and cascading in nature, governments face growing challenges in balancing economic development, environmental stewardship and societal resilience. Addressing these challenges requires timely, integrated and actionable information that supports risk-informed decision-making across sectors.
In this context, geospatial information and technologies have emerged as critical enablers of climate resilience, disaster risk reduction and sustainable development. Global frameworks, including the , , the and , highlight the importance of integrated data, innovation and evidence-based decision-making in addressing complex and interconnected challenges, particularly in SIDS and other vulnerable coastal contexts. This direction is further reinforced by the Pact for the Future and its Global Digital Compact, which emphasise the role of data, digital technologies and international cooperation in advancing sustainable development, resilience and inclusive digital transformation. Translating these global commitments into action requires accurate, reliable and authoritative geospatial information to address national priorities and global agendas. Within the United Nations system, this responsibility rests with the Committee of Experts on Global Geospatial Information Management (UN-GGIM). Established by ECOSOC resolution and subsequently strengthened through resolutions and 2022/24, UN-GGIM has long provided global leadership. The United Nations Integrated Geospatial Information Framework () builds on this mandate by providing Member States with an action-oriented framework to strengthen geospatial governance, improve interoperability and support the effective use of geospatial information for decision-making and sustainable development.
While progress in UN-IGIF implementation continues to advance, significant differences remain across SIDS and coastal countries, reflecting varying capacities, resources and national circumstances. At the same time, growing attention to integrated land–coast–ocean governance has highlighted the need for more coordinated and scalable geospatial approaches to support coastal and marine management, ecosystem stewardship, disaster risk reduction, climate adaptation and sustainable blue economy development.
Against this backdrop, the International Symposium on Geospatial Knowledge and Innovation for Climate Resilience and Sustainable Development is being convened as a platform for policymakers, national geospatial authorities, technical experts, United Nations entities and development partners to exchange experiences, strengthen partnerships and showcase innovative geospatial solutions. Through discussions on GeoAI, Earth observation, integrated land–coast–ocean governance, biodiversity monitoring and disaster risk reduction, the Symposium aims to advance the implementation of the UN-IGIF and promote the effective use of geospatial information in support of climate resilience, sustainable development and integrated land–coast–ocean management.
The four-day programme (21–24 September 2026) will comprise a one-day workshop followed by a three-day International Symposium, with the final two days (23–24 September 2026) taking place alongside the Fifteenth Plenary Meeting of UN-GGIM-AP. Bringing together policymakers, geospatial experts, academia, development partners and other key stakeholders, the event will offer a platform to exchange experiences, showcase innovative practices, strengthen partnerships and advance the application of geospatial information and technologies for integrated land–coast–ocean governance, climate resilience and sustainable development, with the following objectives:
- Strengthen awareness and understanding of the UN-IGIF as the primary operational framework for developing integrated national geospatial ecosystems across land, coastal and ocean domains.
- Promote the adoption and operational use of advanced geospatial technologies and innovations — including Geospatial Intelligence, Earth observation and digital platforms — to support integrated land–coast–ocean monitoring, ecosystem management and climate resilience.
- Strengthen national institutional, technical and coordination capacities to generate, integrate and apply geospatial information in support of public policy, sustainable development planning and evidence-based decision-making across sectors.
- Foster knowledge exchange, regional cooperation and multi-stakeholder partnerships to accelerate the implementation of the UN-IGIF in support of climate resilience, disaster risk reduction and sustainable development.