Saudi Arabia highlights AI, global cooperation in geospatial information management at UN meeting

NEW YORK — Saudi Arabia highlighted the importance of international cooperation and emerging technologies in advancing global geospatial information management at the 16th meeting of the UN Committee of Experts on Global Geospatial Information Management. The Kingdom, represented by the General Authority for Survey and Geospatial Information (GEOSA), took part in the meeting in New York, with its delegation headed by GEOSA President Mohammed Al-Sayel. During the meeting, Al-Sayel emphasized the need to strengthen international cooperation, leverage modern technologies and artificial intelligence to support sustainable development, and develop an integrated global system for managing geospatial information. **media[2748263]** Saudi Arabia also reviewed efforts to implement the United Nations Integrated Geospatial Information Framework and addressed several areas of the sector, including the integration of geospatial and statistical information, land management, marine and hydrographic information, the Global Geodetic Reference Frame, and the use of AI and digital twins. The Kingdom also stressed the importance of standardizing geographical names as an element of national and cultural identity and in supporting data sovereignty. It highlighted its contribution to the Unified Geodetic Reference Framework for Arab States and shared developments related to the United Nations Geospatial Center of Excellence in Riyadh. Saudi Arabia concluded by inviting member states to attend the Third United Nations World Geospatial Information Congress (UNWGIC 2026), which the Kingdom will host in Jeddah from November 16 to 19.