India has been elected as the Co-Chair of the Regional Committee of United Nations Global Geospatial Information Management for Asia and the Pacific (UN-GGIM-AP), marking a significant milestone in the country’s growing leadership in the global geospatial sector. India was represented in the election by Hitesh Kumar S. Makwana, IAS, Surveyor General of India.
The elections took place during the 14th Plenary Meeting of UN-GGIM-AP, held from September 24–26, 2025, in Goyang-si, Republic of Korea. The event, hosted by the National Geographic Information Institute, brought together delegates from member states, technical experts, and observers to deliberate on key issues in geospatial information management across the Asia-Pacific region. Reports and progress updates were presented by the Executive Board, working groups, and partner organizations.
India’s election as Co-Chair is a recognition of its contributions to advancing geospatial innovation, capacity building, and regional collaboration. With the backing of all member states in the region, India will serve a three-year term aligned with the UN-GGIM Strategic Framework.
“I am deeply honoured by the trust that the Member States of the Asia-Pacific region have placed in India,” Makwana said in his address. “Together with my fellow Co-Chair, Vice-Chairs, and Committee members, I am committed to ensuring our collective efforts are inclusive, resilient, and results-driven.”
Makwana outlined India’s vision for the upcoming term, emphasizing strong leadership, secure digital transformation, and good governance. He stressed the importance of promoting data-driven decision-making, transparency, and inclusivity while strengthening partnerships and building capacity to create measurable impact across the region.
India’s elevation to the Co-Chair position is expected to further enhance its role in shaping policies and strategies for effective geospatial information management across the Asia-Pacific.
UN-GGIM-AP is one of five regional committees under the United Nations Committee of Experts on Global Geospatial Information Management (UN-GGIM). Representing national geospatial agencies of 56 countries in Asia and the Pacific, the committee works to maximize the economic, social, and environmental benefits of geospatial information through cooperation, capacity development, and shared solutions.
UN-GGIM serves as the apex intergovernmental mechanism for decision-making on geospatial information policy, aiming to address global challenges and support development agendas through enhanced use of geospatial data and technologies.