Some of you might be aware that ICA is a member of the Joint Board of Geospatial Information Societies (JBGIS).
It is a coalition of the Presidents, Secretary-Generals or equivalent office bearers or their nominees that lead recognized international organizations involved in the coordination, development, management, standardization or regulation of geospatial information and related matters. Currently there are nine members. The chair is rotating among the societies.
The Joint board has always been our voice toward the UN. The UN-GGIM has now formally recognized us as one of their thematic groups.
The other groups are an academic network and a private sector network. Because of this recognition we have changed our name from JBGIS to UN-GGIM: Geospatial Societies (UN-GGIM GS).
– Menno-Jan Kraak
President of the International Cartographic Association
