**Executive Summary**
On April 28, 2026, the Ministry of Rural Development hosted the Technical Expert Forum on “Advancing Geospatial Foundations for Future-Ready Ecosystem” in New Delhi. The event brought together Asia-Pacific policymakers and global experts to discuss the integration of geospatial data into governance, sustainable development, and land administration. Key outcomes focused on aligning national policies with United Nations frameworks and showcasing India’s technological advancements in land record modernization.
**Key Points / Main Content**
**Geospatial Systems in Governance**
* Geospatial information is recognized as a critical public good for informed decision-making and resilient infrastructure.
* Modern governance increasingly relies on accurate, interoperable, and reliable data systems to enable proactive management of agriculture, transport, and climate resilience.
* The transition moves geospatial tools from mere technical support to a central role in public service delivery and land administration.
**Adoption of Global Frameworks**
* The forum emphasized frameworks developed by the United Nations Committee of Experts on Global Geospatial Information Management (UN-GGIM).
* Key frameworks cited include the Integrated Geospatial Information Framework (IGIF), Global Geodetic Reference Framework (GGRF), and the Framework for Effective Land Administration (FELA).
* These tools provide practical roadmaps for countries to improve institutional coordination and align with international best practices.
**India’s National Initiatives and Reforms**
* India’s National Geospatial Policy aims to build an open, innovation-driven ecosystem.
* Significant progress was highlighted in land governance modernization through programs such as the Digital India Land Records Modernization Programme (DILRMP), SVAMITVA, and NAKSHA.
* The use of drones, aerial surveys, and GIS platforms is improving property documentation and planning in both rural and urban areas.
* The concept of an "Integrated Land Stack" is emerging as a model to unify multiple land-related datasets into a single GIS-enabled platform.
**Regional Cooperation and Future Goals**
* Delegates emphasized the need for stronger Asia-Pacific cooperation regarding climate adaptation, disaster resilience, and urban expansion.
* The forum served as a platform for exchanging technological innovations and institutional best practices.
* The ultimate goal is to build integrated, interoperable, and citizen-centric geospatial systems across the region.
**Impact Analysis**
**Policymakers and Government Agencies**
**Impact**
They are empowered to shift toward proactive governance and efficient public service delivery through the use of interoperable geospatial data.
**Action Required**
Must align national policies with global frameworks like IGIF and FELA while implementing the National Geospatial Policy to build open data ecosystems.
**Land Administration Authorities**
**Impact**
Affected by the modernization of record-keeping through drones, digital mapping, and the Integrated Land Stack.
**Action Required**
Need to adopt GIS-enabled digital platforms to improve land records and property ownership documentation in rural and urban sectors.
**Asia-Pacific Member Countries and International Delegates**
**Impact**
Impacted by the increased need for regional collaboration on shared challenges like coastal vulnerability and agricultural sustainability.
**Action Required**
Engage in the exchange of experiences and technological innovations to strengthen regional geospatial foundations.
Key Entities Referenced
National Geospatial Policy: The primary regulatory framework guiding the development of an open, interoperable, and innovation-driven geospatial ecosystem in India.
UN-GGIM (United Nations Committee of Experts on Global Geospatial Information Management): The international body responsible for shaping global geospatial norms and frameworks like the Integrated Geospatial Information Framework (IGIF).
Digital India Land Records Modernization Programme (DILRMP): A core government initiative focused on modernizing land governance and digitizing land records using geospatial technologies.
SVAMITVA: A national scheme utilizing drones and digital mapping to provide property ownership documentation and improve rural planning.
Department of Land Resources: The primary government department under the Ministry of Rural Development leading geospatial reforms and land governance modernization.
Ministry of Rural Development
Global Experts Convene in New Delhi to
Strengthen Geospatial Ecosystems and Land
Governance
Geospatial Systems Key to Future-Ready Governance: Shri
Narendra Bhooshan at International Forum in New Delhi
India Hosts Asia-Pacific Forum on Advancing Geospatial
Foundations for Sustainable Development
Posted On: 28 APR 2026 2:41PM by PIB Delhi
Addressing the Technical Expert Forum on “Advancing Geospatial Foundations for Future-Ready
Ecosystem”, Shri Narendra Bhooshan, Secretary, Department of Land Resources, emphasized that
geospatial information has emerged as a critical public good supporting informed decision-making,
resilient infrastructure, land governance, environmental management, urban planning, disaster response,
and sustainable development. He highlighted that modern governance increasingly depends on accurate,
interoperable, and reliable geospatial data systems to enable proactive and efficient decision-making
across sectors such as agriculture, engineering, climate resilience, transport, and land administration.The Technical Expert Forum on “Advancing Geospatial Foundations for Future-Ready Ecosystem” was
held at The Ashok, New Delhi, bringing together policymakers, technical experts, and international
delegates from across the Asia-Pacific region to discuss the growing role of geospatial systems in
governance, sustainable development, and public service delivery.
The event was attended by distinguished dignitaries including Shri S.K. Sinha, Surveyor General of India,
Dr. Victor Khoo, Director, Singapore Land Authority and Vice Chair, UN-GGIM Asia-Pacific Executive
Board, and along with delegates from member countries and international organizations.
The forum highlighted the importance of global frameworks developed under the United Nations
Committee of Experts on Global Geospatial Information Management (UN-GGIM), including the
Integrated Geospatial Information Framework (IGIF), Global Geodetic Reference Framework (GGRF),
Global Statistical Geospatial Framework (GSGF), and Framework for Effective Land Administration
(FELA). These frameworks provide countries with practical roadmaps for strengthening national
geospatial ecosystems, improving institutional coordination, integrating data systems, and aligning with
global best practices.
Shri Narendra Bhooshan said that geospatial information is no longer merely a technical support tool for
decision-making but is increasingly becoming central to governance. Across sectors such as climate,
agriculture, engineering, urban development, infrastructure planning, and disaster response, accurate and
interoperable geospatial systems are enabling governments to move toward proactive and efficient
governance.
Shri Narendra Bhooshan stated that India strongly values the role of the United Nations Committee of
Experts on Global Geospatial Information Management (UN-GGIM) in shaping global norms,
frameworks, and cooperation. He added that India’s National Geospatial Policy marks an important
milestone in building an open, interoperable, and innovation-driven geospatial ecosystem aligned with
international best practices.
India’s progress in geospatial reforms and land governance modernization was also highlighted during the
session. Key initiatives such as the Digital India Land Records Modernization Programme (DILRMP),
SVAMITVA, and NAKSHA were cited as examples of using drones, aerial surveys, digital mapping, andGIS platforms to improve land records, property ownership documentation, and planning in both rural and
urban areas.
The concept of an integrated Land Stack was also discussed as an emerging model for bringing together
multiple land-related datasets into a unified GIS-enabled digital platform for improved governance and
service delivery.
Remarks by Other Distinguished Guests
Earlier, Shri S.K. Sinha, Surveyor General of India, welcomed the participants and highlighted the
growing role of geospatial information in infrastructure planning, land governance, service delivery,
environmental management, and sustainable development.
Dr. Victor Khoo emphasized the importance of structured and coordinated approaches to geospatial
development and underlined the relevance of global frameworks such as IGIF and FELA.
India’s Commitment to Regional Cooperation
Delegates from the Asia-Pacific region emphasized the need for stronger cooperation in areas such as
climate adaptation, disaster resilience, coastal vulnerability, urban expansion, agricultural sustainability,
and modernization of land administration systems.
The forum provided an important platform for exchange of experiences, technological innovations, and
institutional best practices, while strengthening regional collaboration in advancing future-ready
geospatial ecosystems.
Concluding the session, participants expressed confidence that the deliberations would contribute
meaningfully toward building more integrated, interoperable, and citizen-centric geospatial systems across
the region.
****
RC/HR
(Release ID: 2256207) Visitor Counter : 266
Read this release in: Urdu , ही