The Inauguration Ceremony of the United Nations Global Geospatial Knowledge and Innovation Centre

Excellencies, distinguished delegates, ladies and gentlemen

It is my great pleasure to express my congratulations to the establishment of the United Nations Global Geospatial Knowledge and Innovation Centre in Deqing, China. This is an important milestone on our journey to build and expand global geospatial capacity, competence and capability.

As you gather to witness and celebrate this Inauguration Ceremony, I thank the Government of China for graciously hosting this global Centre, together with my Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA).

As I stated in my opening video message to the first United Nations World Geospatial Information Congress, convened in this very location in Deqing in November 2018, the data needs for the SDGs are great, and time is no longer on our side. Geospatial data, methods, frameworks, tools, and platforms are urgently needed. Reliable, timely, accessible and disaggregated geospatial information can help to measure progress, inform decision-making, assist in the implementation of the SDGs, and transform our world for the better.

I wish to thank the Government of China for their dedication and vision for realizing this global Centre, especially for the tremendous preparation work over the past several years. Successfully delivering such a large milestone is not possible without the leadership and experiences from government and industry experts, such as yourselves.

Excellencies and distinguished delegates

I wish you a successful Inauguration Ceremony and smooth operation of the Centre as it becomes established. I believe the Centre will play a key role in contributing to the utilization of geospatial information.

As we embark on this new journey, we continue to chart the path towards the ‘Geospatial Way to a Better World’.  Indeed, the World will now permanently meet Deqing, and geospatial information management will permanently meet the World.

Thank you.