Global Geodesy Forum
Every day, humanity benefits from geodesy. Geodesy is the science of measuring the size, shape and orientation of our planet and it is a foundation for evidence-based policies, decisions and program delivery. Geodesy is used every day, in the fields of civil engineering, industrial automation, agriculture, construction, mining, financial transactions, intelligent transport systems, disaster response and emergency management, environmental studies and scientific research. Furthermore, geodesy enables accurate collection, management and alignment of nationally integrated geospatial information – a key requirement for societal, environmental and economic activities, the measuring and monitoring of progress of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction, the Small Island Developing States Accelerated Modalities of Action (SAMOA) Pathway, and other global, regional and national development agenda and initiatives.
The United Nations Global Geodesy Forum appropriately convened on Earth Day – 22 April 2021 with the title “The Power of Where: The Value of Geodesy to Society”. The virtual open forum organized by the Subcommittee on Geodesy will focus on the significance of geodesy for the wellbeing and betterment of society, environment and economy. The forum will highlight to policy- and decision makers, chief executives, director-generals and senior executives from Member States and relevant stakeholders the benefits enabled by an accurate and reliable Global Geodetic Reference Frame, and the crucial role of geodesy in providing safer and more resilient communities, in particular, to measure the cause and effect of sea level rise, storm surges, earthquakes and tsunamis, and assisting developing countries with effective land and environmental management and efficient digital economies.
The United Nations Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for the Ocean, His Excellency Ambassador Peter Thomson, who is also the Global Geodesy Ambassador, will provide the opening address.
Visit the Global Geodesy Forum event page to learn more.