New head of EuroGeographics aims to put official geospatial data on the map in the heart of Europe

EuroGeographics today (22 October 2020) announced European affairs advisor Léa Bodossian as its new Secretary General and Executive Director.

In addition to a passion for geography, Léa brings high-level representation, communication and management skills to the Brussels-based membership association for European National Mapping, Cadastral and Land Registration Authorities. Her previous roles include Secretary General of the Airport Regions Council and a number of positions within the European Commission and Parliament.

Commenting on her appointment, Léa said: “Official national geospatial data and cadastral services provided by members of EuroGeographics are a fundamental part of our everyday lives – whether or not we realise it.”

“For example, they are currently supporting national responses to the global pandemic by delivering up to date, accurate data and expertise for government management and monitoring of COVID-19. We need to ensure these valuable contributions are widely recognised and understood so that all areas of society can benefit fully from our members’ activities and expertise.”

“As a geographer and a lover of maps, it is of course an honour to join EuroGeographics, which enables the connection between maps, people and policies in Europe and beyond. I am, however, also thrilled to be part of an association which has a strong culture of collaboration and cooperation at its heart. In these uncertain and rapidly changing times, this unity is key to raising awareness among politicians and policymakers of our members’ collective value in delivering better data for better lives.”

President of EuroGeographics, Colin Bray added: “We are delighted to welcome Léa to head up our Association. We know that her extensive experience in successfully securing EU grants and delivering projects, as well as contributing to consultations and expert groups, and participating in hearings and meetings at the European Parliament, will help to ensure our members’ roles, capabilities and concerns continue to be understood across the world.”

Léa succeeds Mick Cory who is retiring after successfully leading EuroGeographics since 2015.

EuroGeographics is an international not-for-profit organisation (AISBL/ IVZW under Belgian Law. BCE registration:  833 607 112) and the membership association for the European National Mapping, Cadastral and Land Registry Authorities. It currently brings together members from 46 countries, covering the whole of geographical Europe.

UN-GGIM framework for effective land administration welcomed by EuroGeographics

EuroGeographics, which represents Europe’s National Mapping, Cadastral and Land Registration Authorities (NMCAs), has welcomed a new framework for effective land administration that recognises the importance of providing secure land and property rights to people across the world.

The adoption of the Framework for Effective Land Administration (FELA) at the tenth session of the United Nations Committee of Experts on Global Geospatial Information Management (UN-GGIM), follows an extensive consultation to which EuroGeographics and its members contributed.

Mick Cory, Secretary General and Executive Director, EuroGeographics says: “The greater majority of humanity do not enjoy secure land rights.  The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development is a global plan of action: effective land administration underpins and supports leaving no one behind - the commitment of the 2030 Agenda.  Many EuroGeographics’ members focus on property rights and registration, and we have an active knowledge network of cadastral and land registration experts.”

“We are pleased by this recognition that secure land and property rights for all is a crucial component for an economically, socially and environmentally sustainable society through  FELA’s full alignment with the Integrated Geospatial Information Framework which supports the Sustainable Development Goals for both developing and developed countries.”

“We encourage the Expert Group to consider how best to actively engage with wider stakeholders and decision makers outside the geospatial community to promote and advocate the importance of effective and efficient land administration and management.

He continued: “In Europe, we see a need where – based on the existing level of maturity – next steps can be defined following the nine pathways of the Integrated Geospatial Information Framework (IGIF).  As the membership association for European NMCAs, we continue to follow the progress of the FELA and welcome opportunities for future cooperation, particularly through our Knowledge Exchange Network on Cadastre and Land Registration which provides a valuable forum for sharing best practice and experiences.”

EuroGeographics is an international not-for-profit organisation (AISBL/ IVZW under Belgian Law. BCE registration:  833 607 112) and the membership association for the European National Mapping, Cadastral and Land Registry Authorities. It currently brings together members from 46 countries, covering the whole of geographical Europe.

EuroGeographics pledges support for UN-GGIM focus on authoritative geospatial data

EuroGeographics has welcomed the United Nations Committee of Experts on Global Geospatial Information Management's (UN-GGIM) intention to focus on issues concerning authority, custodianship and legal issues for data for the public good.

The Association, which represents Europe’s National Mapping, Cadastral and Land Registration Authorities, has pledged to support the UN-GGIM Working Group on Legal and Policy Frameworks in its aim to better understand the definition and importance of authoritative data. It is also offering access to its extensive network to help gather examples of best practice and to facilitate information sharing.

Mick Cory, Secretary General and Executive Director, EuroGeographics says: “The critical importance of trusted geospatial information to support decision-making at all levels and many areas of national and international concern is demonstrated by the current Covid-19 pandemic. However, there remains insufficient awareness of the importance of good quality data to addressing global challenges and addressing national and global economic and social goals.”

“A clear policy for geospatial information management, backed up by a robust legislative framework with appropriate resource, are significant enablers to effective and efficient geospatial information management, as envisaged as part of the Inetgrated Geospatial Information Framework (IGIF).  We warmly welcome, and stand ready to assist the Working Group in this work which will help the implementation of the IGIF and is a significant contribution to the global geospatial community.” 

EuroGeographics is an observer on the Working Group, which was formally renamed at the tenth session of UN-GGIM and is now known as the Working Group on Policy and Legal Frameworks for Geospatial Information Management to align with IGIF Strategic Pathway 2 – Policy and Legal.

EuroGeographics is an international not-for-profit organisation (AISBL/ IVZW under Belgian Law. BCE registration:  833 607 112) and the membership association for the European National Mapping, Cadastral and Land Registry Authorities. It currently brings together members from 46 countries, covering the whole of geographical Europe.

Online directory points way to national map, land registration & cadastral data from official sources

National Mapping, Cadastral and Land Registry Authorities (NMCAs) have launched an online directory to help users find official geospatial, land registration and cadastral information and maps from Europe.

Available via the website of EuroGeographics, the not-for-profit membership association for European NMCAs, users select their country of interest via the online map, and then click on a quick link to the national cadastre portal or geoportal.

Mick Cory, Secretary General and Executive Director, EuroGeographics says: “Our members’ data is important because it supports a range of legal, fiscal, security and other public administrative purposes, and provides reliable, consistent context and clarity to information about people and places. This takes users beyond the national map to a rich information resource used by governments, public authorities and citizens for important decisions and official purposes.”

“By providing links to the data available, our membership map is a simple way to signpost users to national maps, cadastral and land registration information across geographical Europe. It is just one of the ways we are facilitating access to our members’ data, services and expertise.”

Further information about each authority, including the latest case studies, can be found by clicking on the member name. The case studies are taken from EuroGeographics annual reviews and demonstrate the value and breadth of NMCA activities. Topics include open data, digital transformation, quality, interoperability and national spatial data infrastructures.

Please visit https://eurogeographics.org/our-members/ for more information.

EuroGeographics is an international not-for-profit organisation (AISBL/ IVZW under Belgian Law. BCE registration:  833 607 112) and the membership association for the European National Mapping, Cadastral and Land Registry Authorities. It currently brings together members from 46 countries, covering the whole of geographical Europe.

EuroGeographics highlights role of high value, authoritative, geospatial information in European Strategy for Data 

High value, authoritative, geospatial data from official national sources has a significant role to play in the European Strategy for Data.   

EuroGeographics, the not-for-profit membership association for Europe’s National Mapping, Cadastral and Land Registry Authorities, has highlighted that such data is ubiquitous across all the dataspaces and one of the the basic building blocks for digital transformation. 

Mick Cory, Secretary General and Executive Director, EuroGeographics said: “The value of data lies in its use and re-use. Making their information available for use and re-use by others is at the core of our members’public task and they are committed to this principle.” 

“Geospatial is one of the five High Value Datasets themes expected to be available free of charge in machine-readable format via suitable APIs. With sustainable funding, our members can ensure a continued supply, indeed an increase, in the provision of high value authoritative geospatial data for use and re-use.” 

“Their authoritative information can underpin and be used across all the dataspaces set out in the Strategy. For example, public administration relies on trusted authoritative sources to inform policy, transport needs authoritative geospatial datasets for cross-border requirements, and NMCA data forms an important component of the land parcel identification system, which supports the common agricultural policy. Furthermore, Cadastre and land registry data provide a basis for property tax in many countries, helping to combat national and international fraud and tax evasion.” 

Mick Cory continues: “Technical and policy duplication hinders progress, is costly and should be avoided. A horizontal, cross-sectorial governance framework for data, regardless of data theme or sector of origin, is therefore an appropriate step forward to the alignment of the different actions.” 

“Within EuroGeographics, our way of working is built upon the success of our enduring collaborative effort with our members to avoid gaps, eradicate duplications and contradictions, and avoid missed opportunities. We warmly welcome the important development of this overarching data strategy and we look forward to contributing to its success by using our experience in facilitating cross border data sharing and re-use of geospatial public sector data.”  

EuroGeographics full information paper is available here. 

EuroGeographics is an international not-for-profit organisation (AISBL/ IVZW under Belgian Law. BCE registration:  833 607 112) and the membership association for the European National Mapping, Cadastral and Land Registry Authorities. It currently brings together members from 46 countries, covering the whole of geographical Europe.