Permanent Committee on Spatial Data Infrastructure for the Americas PC IDEA A Status Report presented at the 7 th Meeting of the Permanent Committee on GIS Infrastructure for Asia and the Pacific PCGIAP Tsukuba, Japan 24-27 April 2001 Prepared by Santiago Borrero, PC IDEA Chair Summary The objective of this report is to update PCGIAP members on the current status of the regional committee dealing with SDI/GIS issues in the Americas, PC IDEA. To satisfy this requirement, this paper: (i) after presenting a brief introduction concerning essential SDI background for Latin America, (ii) describes the current PC IDEA technical and organizational situation, out of the recent 2 nd PC IDEA and the 7 th UNRCC/A meetings (New York, 2001); (iii) outlines key aspects of the resolutions there approved, pertaining the need for cooperation at the regional and global levels. Finally, (iv) in looking for a cooperative effort between PC IDEA and PCGIAP, the author proposes a strategy including three basic elements to consider for SDI development. 1. Introduction The Permanent Committee on SDI for the Americas PC-IDEA was established on 1 March 2000, as the main result of the International Seminar on Spatial Data Infrastructures and the Workshop on Metadata events organized by the Agustin Codazzi Geographic Institute in Bogotá, Colombia. 1 Today, with 17 SDI initiatives identified at the national level, it can be stated that Latin America, is now looking seriously at the importance of having a regional spatial 1 To organize this Seminar and achieve this milestone, relevant support was provided by the World Bank Infodev Program, the Center for Inter American Agriculture Technologies -CIAT, the US Federal Geographic Data Comittee FGCD and the Pan American Institute for Geography and History -PAIGH. 1
data infrastructure. The use of spatial information all over is growing rapidly and, though there is a limited capacity to produce and consume digital information, the region is already immersed in the technology change. A 2000 survey conducted by Glenn Hyman and Kate Lane (CIAT), along the lines of the one elaborated by Prof. Harlan Onsrud for FGDC, amongst other aspects, picture the following situation for Latin America: - GIS/SDI issues are leaded by National Mapping Agencies, but are now challenged by other type of geographic information providers. - In the average, NSDI initiatives in the Region are the responsibility of 5 national organizations. - There is absence of policy concerning development of national spatial data infrastructures. - Industry and other type of technology providers are not yet involved in the development of these initiatives. - Basic layers that are most frequently considered as fundamental data are: Topographic mapping; roads; land cover and land use; administrative borders; hidrography. - There is a tendency towards cost recovery, as main factor for pricing data. - The major constraints for consolidation of these NSDI initiatives are legal issues and funding, lack of national standards for geodata, pricing and data access. Four years before, in 1997, however, the situation was notably different: South America was mostly covered by analog maps elaborated at small scales, averaging 1:500.000 Regional standards for data production and distribution were not a part of the cartographic tradition in the Americas Government budgets applied to mapping production were, in the average, marginal, in times of growing demands for education on geoinfomatics International technical cooperation had no clear policy regarding development of more open, advanced and integrated mapping systems in the Region Most nations did not have cadastral information structured or referenced Thematic mapping production characterized by diversification, lack of standards, quality problems and incomplete documentation, affecting access and dissemination. Concepts behind SDI difficult to digest. National mapping and surveying organizations were making changes in old organizational structures, with their specialists redefining data in the digital format from a local perspective but, basically, digitizing old data. Isolation, for instance, expressed in low levels of participation at the global level Therefore, there was no paved road for the promotion of SDI in the Americas, to execute significant efforts were in order. 2
2. The Formation of the PC IDEA: A three years process In 1997, during the Sixth United Nations Regional Cartographic Conference for the Americas (UNRCC/A), the delegates noting and recognizing the rapid global emergence of national and regional spatial data infrastructures and its contribution to maximize the benefits of geographic information for sustainable development, recommended the establishment of a Permanent Committee for SDI/GIS Infrastructure in the Americas, reporting for consideration to the following UNRCC/A meetings. In 1998, taking advantage of the UN Working Group Meeting held in Aguascalientes, Mexico, the delegates representing member states from the Americas established the Committee, in an ad-hoc manner, with Colombia elected as pro-tempore chair until full formalization of the committee was achieved, within the following year. However, this was not an easy goal to obtain. Promoters of the committee started then by convincing Latin-American state members about the need for harmonic spatial data infrastructure at the all levels and its contribution to economic, social and environmental sustainable development: Many factor contributed to the change required: (a) PAIGH and DIGSA (Directorate of National Mapping Agencies of South America), got involved in the promotion of enabling information technologies and spatial data infrastructures; (b) Optimism derived from good practice out SDI projects, i.e. SIRGAS geodetic reference system, IGDN-PAIGH electronic atlas and ICDE, the SDI of Colombia; (c) Growing awareness about the direct relation between information, economic growth and development; (d) Increased appetite for spatial data to support better project formulation and decisionmaking; (e) Impact of regional and global initiatives like the Global Spatial Data Infrastructure and Global Map. In 2000, facing this new situation in the Americas, delegates from 21 nations decided to formally establish its own regional permanent committee on GIS/SDI, called PC IDEA. As mentioned before this was the main result out of an international seminar on SDI, organized in Bogota, Colombia. There, provisional statutes were adopted and three working groups were initially organized: (a) Legal and economic affairs; (b) Communications and awareness and (c) Technical aspects. PC-IDEA was built on the experience observed in other regions, in particular, that of Asia-Pacific. On this regard, it is evident the influence of PCGIAP documents on statutes, rules of procedure and terms of reference for working groups. 3
3. PC IDEA today a. The Vision In a region used to a national interpretation of its territory, the role of the Committee, as Inter-American forum, is essential for the development of spatial data information capabilities, at all levels, in the continent. This is why the vision of PC-IDEA can be best summarized as the end of spatial information isolation in the Americas. It is in this context that in the Americas we are now trying hard to: (a) Increase production of spatial data, impacting R+D and sustainable development (b) Migrate from local data to national SDI, leading to regional spatial data sets (c) Locate geoinformation as one strategic sector for development, by convincing decision makers on the need to maximize benefits derived from geographic information (d) Increase knowledge capabilities for all in the American hemisphere community, by incrementing access to data and information (e) Contribute to the development of GSDI and Global Mapping capabilities b. The organization Alike PCGIAP organization, the following are the current PCIDEA authorities: Chair, Mr. Santiago Borrero (Colombia) Vice Chair, Ms. Guadalupe Lopez (Mexico) Legal/Economics WG, Cl. Romer Mena (Venezuela) Communication/Awareness WG, Ms. Mabel Alvarez (Argentina) Technical WG, Mr. Denis Fuentes (Panamá) Executive Secretariat, Dora-Inés Rey (Colombia) The technical working group operates through the following five subgroups: - Information Policy - Fundamental Data - Clearinghouse - Standards - Cadastre c. Meetings and agenda 4
Thus far, there has been two Committee meetings, with the next one taking place along with GSDI 5 and ISCGM 8. This is the summary of the meetings: 1. Bogota, Colombia. March 2000 2. New York, USA. January 2001 3. Cartagena, Colombia. May 2001 (forthcoming) 4. Aguascalientes, Mexico. September 2002 PC IDEA reports to the UN regional cartographic conferences, Thus, at the recent 7 th UNRCC/Americas, as part of the agenda, 2 nd PCIDEA took place (January, 2001). In synthesis, there are five aspects to outline from this meeting: (a) Approval of the web page and logo; (b) Creation of a subgroup on Cadastre; (c) Incorporation of Cuba, so there are 22 nations represented; (d) Election of new authorities for 2001-2002, to take place at Cartagena in May 2001 and (e) 4 th PC IDEA meeting at Aguascalientes, Mexico from 10-12 September 2002, along with a jointly organized INEGI-PC IDEA-FIG Inter-Regional Workshop, as conveyed in Resolution 4, 7 th UNRCC for the Americas. It is relevant to point out, concerning the agenda for 3 rd PC IDEA (Cartagena, 2001), to note the main items involve: (a) An amendment to the provisional statutes; (b) consideration of the proposed technical subgroups on geographic names and capacity building ; (c) Election of authorities for 2001-2002 and (d) Co-operation with other SDI initiatives, in particular, UNGIWG. d. International activities The Committee is in the process of formalizing relations with all relevant international organizations, i.e. ISO, the regional committees, global and regional spatial data related initiatives and the UN system (UNGIWG). In particular PC IDEA, during its first year has established relations and taking responsibilities with, 15 th UNRCC/AP, 7 th UNRCC/A and Global Mapping Forum (Hiroshima, 2000). Status reports and background papers were submitted by the Chair at these conferences. Resolutions approved at the 7 th UNRCC for the Americas The following is a summary of the substantive resolutions adopted at the 7 th UNRCC for the Americas (New York, January 2001). A special reference is made in the case of those resolutions, directly involving considerations related to SDI at the regional level: 1. On Development Needs, recommends governments the need to support SDI as a strategic policy. 5
2. On Institutional Capacity Building, Education and Training, recommends PC IDEA to establish a working group on capacity building focusing on (i) educational activities, (ii) establishment of networks for exchange of knowledge and experience in GI ( facilitated by activities of national, regional and international organizations ), and (ii) improve leadership and managerial capabilities by promoting establishment of GI advanced management programs. 3. On Economic Aspects of Modern Surveying, Mapping, Geospatial Data Infrastructure and Land Administration, reaffirms Resolution 6 of he 15 th UNRCC-AP, concerning support the Workshop on SDI economic aspects to be hosted by the Government of India. 4. On Fundamental data: SIRGAS Project recommends member countries of the Americas integrate their national geodetic reference systems into one compatible with SIRGAS. 5. On Land Administration and Spatial Data Infrastructure, endorses the resolutions of the 15 th UNRCC-AP on the UN-FIG Bathrust Declaration and recommends member states to integrate land administration and topographic mapping programs within the context of a wider national strategy for SDI. 6. On Contribution of the Permanent Committee on Spatial Data Infrastructure for the Americas (PCIDEA), noting the works of similar regional organizations in Europe, Asia and the Pacific, recommends PC IDEA to: (i) develop a work plan, including adoption of SDI terminology in Spanish language, based on the GSDI framework book; (ii) to report to governments to secure visibility and sustainability of resources to SDI and (iii) to monitor implementation of resolutions of UNRCC/A conferences. 7. On Implementation of National Spatial Data Infrastructures in the Americas, recommends member states to share experiences and address common needs and interest within the Americas and with other regions of the World, through PC IDEA; promote the establishment of national geographic names authorities and to embrace NSDI concepts that support regional and global SDI initiatives.... 8. On Global Map, recommends member states not contributing to Global Map to consider participation with the assistance of PCIDEA and ISCGM. Also recommends to 8 th ISCGM delegates when evaluating GM phase 2, GM specifications in accordance to national, regional and global user requirements. 9. On United Nations Geographic Information Working Group, after expressing its suppor for the resolution adopted at the Fifteenth United Nations Regional Cartographic Conference for Asia and the Pacific in cooperation with the United Nations Geographic Database initiative, invites NMA s to provide cartographic information to the UN, showing framework data layers. 4. Elements for a PCIDEA/PCGIAP co-operative effort to promote SDI at the regional level Bearing in mind the spirit of these resolutions, the works of the UN Geographic Information Working Group and the need to derive benefits from regional cooperation among the committees representing the Americas and Asia and the Pacific, the following three elements for a strategy are proposed: 1. To develop a new and more effective working relationship with the UN system, by 6
a) Proposing a new policy framework, by which the UN agencies, state members and all those involved in the development of spatial data projects (i) focus on how SDI can contribute, at all levels, to better decision-making on issues relevant for sustainable development and (ii) promote national and regional sound and harmonic data infrastructures 2 b) Contribute to the success of the recently approved initiative for a new UN Geographic Database c) Re-engineer key aspects of the UNRCCs to stimulate bench-marking and comparison of achievements and strategies concerning surveying, mapping, cadastral and GIS activities, 2. To update the compromise from the international geographic organizations, in support of SDI development, by a) Proposing policy statements from each one of the main IGOs pertaining SDI b) Implementation of training and educational inter-regional activities in the context of SDI development, addressed in particular to developing nations on (i) specific SDI applications related to satellite imagery and (ii) institutional development and capacity, in the context of new ICT and SDI. 3. To jointly establish and execute an inter-regional PCGIAP and PC IDEA plan for regional SDI promotion, by a) Executing pilot projects, addressing relevant issues concerning spatial data production, delivery mechanisms and metadata standards. b) Elaborating an inventory of global/regional SDI related initiatives. Already there are too many not really efficiently integrated projects, requesting a need for a more clear vision and goals. 2 On the occasion of the UN Meeting on Geography (New York, 2000) the GSDI Chair, Mr. Derek Clarke sent a letter to the Organizer, stating the following words: It is hoped the UN system and the GSDI Steering Committee can establish a cooperative working arrangement to our mutual benefit. The UN is particularly requested to take cognizance of the ongoing work of the GSDI Steering Committee in spearheading the establishment of spatial data infrastructures at the national, regional and, ultimately, global levels. The UN s proposed geographic database will no doubt benefit from GSDI in terms of the collection and integration of various digital datasets 7
c) As there is need for structured and accessible regional framework data set, increasing the level of support for Global Mapping, by stimulating production and use of GM products. SELECTED BIBLIOGRAPHY Borrero, Santiago. (1998) Case Study of Transnational Initiatives: Latin America. 3 rd Global Spatial Data Infrastructure Conference. Agustin Codazzi Geographic Institute IGAC. Canberra, Australia. (1999) Case Study at the National Level: ICDE, the Colombian SDI. Cambridge Conference. Cambridge, England. (2000) La Infraestructura de Información Territorial (SDI): Un Desarrollo Esencial para la Sociedad del Siglo XXI. Agustin Codazzi Geographic Institute IGAC. International Seminar on Spatial Data Infrastructure and Workshop on Metadata. Bogotá, Colombia. (2000) Formation of the Permanent Committee on SDI for the Americas CPIDEA: A Report. 15 th UN Regional Cartographic Conference for Asia -Pacific. Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. (2000) Intervention at the Opening Session of the Meeting on Cartography and Geographic Information Science. United Nations, New York, United States. (2000) PC-IDEA, the Availability of Fundamental Data in the Americas and the GM Initiative. Global Mapping Forum 2000. Hiroshima, Japan. (2001) The Role of the Permanent Committee on Spatial Data Infrastructure for the Americas PC IDEA. A background paper for the 7 th United Nations Conference for the Americas. New York, United States. (2001) Follow up the Resolutions Adopted by the 6 th UNRCC for the Americas. New York, 1997. 7 th United Nations Conference for the Americas. New York, United States. 8
Comité Permanente para la Infraestructura de Datos Espaciales de Las Américas - CP IDEA, (2000) Estatutos Provisionales. URL www.igac.gov.co/cpidea Bogota, Colombia. Infraestructura Colombiana de Datos Espaciales ICDE. (2000) Reglamento Operativo. Bogota, Colombia. (2000) Actas de Acuerdo para Establecer y Promover el Desarrollo de la Infraestructura de Datos Espaciales ICDE. Bogota, Colombia. (2000) Políticas Generales para el Intercambio de Información Geográfica. International Seminar on Spatial Data Infrastructure and Workshop on Metadata. URL www.igac.gov.co Bogota, Colombia. Instituto Geográfico Agustín Codazzi, -IGAC (1999). Infraestructura Colombiana de Datos Espaciales Conceptos y Lineamientos. Bogota, Colombia. 9