UN resolution on geospatial information services for disasters adopted

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines led the adoption of a United Nations resolution on the use of geospatial information and services that will help reduce and significantly minimize the social, economic, and environmental risks and impacts of disasters. 

The United Nations Economic and Social Council (UN ECOSOC) has adopted the resolution entitled “Strategic Framework on Geospatial Information and Services for Disasters” tabled by the Philippines and Jamaica.

The resolution endorses the Strategic Framework on Geospatial Information and Services for Disasters, which aims to guide all stakeholders and partners in the management of geospatial information and services in all phases of disaster risk management through five priorities for action: governance and policies, awareness raising and capacity building, data management, common infrastructure and services, and resource mobilization.

In introducing the resolution, deputy permanent representative to the UN Kira Christianne Azucena said, “We believe that the collective and coordinated work of all governments and stakeholders, and quality geospatial information and services that are accurate, available, and accessible in a timely and coordinated fashion are critical to developing successful disaster risk reduction and management plans and building safer, adaptive and resilient communities.”

The resolution, adopted by consensus, was co-sponsored by Thailand, Vietnam, the Netherlands, Ireland, Senegal, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.

The Strategic Framework was adopted by the UN Committee of Experts on Global Geospatial Information Management at its Seventh Session in August 2017, and presented to the UN ECOSOC in April this year. 

It draws from the principles in the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030, the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the UN General Assembly resolution on international cooperation on humanitarian assistance in the field of natural disasters, from relief to development, and other relevant instruments. 

The resolution also invites member states, their relevant government bodies, the United Nations System, international organizations, donors, private sector, academe, and non-governmental organizations with responsibility for disaster risk reduction and management, in accordance with their mandates, to adopt the Strategic Framework.