Is the Hydrographic Geospatial Data Deemed Suitable for Utilization Meet the Standards?
In an effort to address global challenges related to marine geospatial information management and utilization, the United Nations has established the Working Group on Marine Geospatial Information (UN-WGMGI). This initiative is part of the United Nations Committee of Experts on Global Geospatial Information Management (UN-GGIM), which was established in 2017.
The first joint meeting of UN-WGMGI and the International Hydrographic Organization's (IHO) Marine Spatial Data Infrastructures (MSDI) Working Group (MSDIWG) took place in Busan, Republic of Korea in early March 2021. The meeting emphasized the need for fundamental change and improvement in how marine geospatial information is viewed and managed.
The IHO's 2025 Work Programme reflects ongoing coordination and multi-lateral cooperation intentions under its strategic plan (2021–2026), which is aligned with supporting marine data infrastructure and hydrographic information management. This framework likely underpins cooperative efforts related to marine geospatial information, governance, and sustainable ocean management, foundational to achieving relevant Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
However, the most recent available information from 2025 does not explicitly mention the UN-WGMGI or detail its specific activities or progress. Similarly, direct references to collaboration efforts between the UN-WGMGI, the Open Geospatial Consortium (OGC), and the IHO within the provided documents are not detailed.
While IHO maintains active governance and strategic work supporting marine geospatial information and marine environment management relevant to the SDGs, explicit reported progress of the UN-WGMGI and its collaborations with OGC and IHO as of 2025 is not evident in the sourced document. For the latest and detailed updates on UN-WGMGI and its partnerships (OGC, IHO), checking dedicated reports from the UN Secretariat, OGC, and latest IHO assemblies or plenary meetings beyond 2025 would be necessary.
The hydrographic community is encouraged to make their data more freely available and manage it in a way that supports a wider range of products and services. Embracing this new way of working, national hydrographic offices can form part of an overall 'marine geospatial data ecosystem'. However, national hydrographic offices face a challenge in adapting their processes and making data central to their operations, assessing their responsibilities, and connecting with other data authorities.
The UN-WGMGI aims to continue building a hydrographic marine geospatial information community that is forward-thinking, inclusive, responsive, and meets the aims of the UN-GGIM and beyond. The group encourages the use of internationally agreed frameworks, systems, and standards to improve relationships between people and the marine environment.
UN SDG 14 refers to Life Below Water, and several other SDGs have a marine component. The United Nations seeks to improve access to fit-for-purpose geospatial information to meet the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The Open Geospatial Consortium (OGC) Marine Domain Working Group was established in 2016 to act as a focal point for OGC activities within the marine geospatial community.
Data quality, lifecycle, and governance are key success factors for national hydrographic offices as data originators, value-added resellers, and for a wide range of users. The basic principles of MSDI, such as managing data centrally, to consistent standards, and improving data exchange between stakeholders, apply equally to applications beyond navigational safety.
In conclusion, the UN-WGMGI, IHO, and OGC are working together to improve marine geospatial information management and utilization. While the specific details of their collaborative efforts and the progress of UN-WGMGI as of 2025 are not fully detailed in the available documents, the strategic context of IHO’s activities supports international governance and management of marine environments through establishing standards and data sharing protocols. For the latest updates, it is recommended to check dedicated reports from the UN Secretariat, OGC, and latest IHO assemblies or plenary meetings beyond 2025.
[1] Source: [Provide the link to the document or report here]
- The UN-WGMGI aspires to foster a progressive hydrographic marine geospatial information community, aligning with UN-GGIM's objectives and beyond.
- The IHO's 2025 Work Programme underscores the necessity of multilateral cooperation for marine data infrastructure and hydrographic information management.
- Embracing a broader approach to marine geospatial data management, national hydrographic offices can contribute to a comprehensive 'marine geospatial data ecosystem'.
- The UN strives to enhance access to tailored geospatial information to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including SDG 14: Life Below Water.
- The Open Geospatial Consortium (OGC) established its Marine Domain Working Group in 2016 to cater to the marine geospatial community's needs.
- Key factors influencing the success of national hydrographic offices are data quality, lifecycle, and governance across various applications, not just navigational safety.
- The UN-WGMGI encourages adherence to internationally agreed frameworks to strengthen relationships between people and the marine environment.
- Renewable energy, finance, real-estate, and education sectors can benefit from the improved marine geospatial information management and utilization, as represented by UN-WGMGI, IHO, and OGC collaborations.
- Climate-change and environmental-science studies require accurate marine spatial data for comprehensive analysis and decision-making in the housing-market, business, and energy-investing sectors.
- Data-and-cloud-computing technology and online-education platforms offer opportunities for lifelong-learning and self-development in marine geospatial information management and related industries.
