RESOLUTIONS ADOPTED BY THE 13th UNRCC - BEIJING, 1994

A. List of resolutions

B. Texts of resolutions

The Conference,

Concerned about the continuing environmental degradation at global, regional, national and subnational scales,

Mindful of the continuing growth of population, particularly in urban areas in developing countries, with all its problems such as poverty, unemployment, lack of adequate shelter and pressure on the environment,

Mindful also of the risks of natural resource depletion in the world if timely measures are not taken,

Recalling the need for a much greater public awareness concerning the above matters as well as the need for action to achieve sustainable development,

Acknowledging the fundamental importance of technical cooperation at both global and regional levels, programme coordination and experience-sharing between countries of the region to meet the goals of Agenda 21, ² which is a blueprint for sustainable development,

Convinced that such development cannot take place efficiently without proper inventory and monitoring of human and land resources in their proper spatial geographical context,

Aware of the effective and cost-efficient role surveying, mapping and charting play in the registering, monitoring and depicting of earth-related phenomenon and the powerful role of maps and map-related images in the information stream to decision makers, planners and the public at large,

1. Calls upon the cartographic disciplines to share their experiences and to join their efforts to contribute to the solution of the problems mentioned above;

2. Calls upon existing international scientific and professional organizations to continue to offer support wherever possible;

3. Urges Governments and international organizations to fully support cartographic efforts that contribute to the alleviation of recognized environmental degradation and human predicaments;

4. Recommends that the United Nations continue to support surveying and mapping activities in the region;

5. Also recommends that donor countries and non-governmental organizations offer expertise and facilities to support developing countries in capacity-building (manpower development and technology transfer) in the surveying and mapping disciplines.

Note:
² Report of the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development, Rio de Janeiro, 3-14 June 1992, vol. I, Resolutions Adopted by the Conference (United Nations publication, Sales No. E.93.1.8 and corrigendum), resolution 1, annex II.

Back to List of Resolutions

The Conference,

Recognizing the contribution of the United Nations Regional Cartographic Conferences for Asia and the Pacific as essential for capacity-building, transfer of technology and technical cooperation and for the promotion of global and regional strategies for sustainable development,

Mindful of the efforts made by the countries of the region to formulate and implement action programmes to fulfil the strategy for sustainable development and, consequently, of the drafting of the Agenda 21 of individual countries,

Recognizing the important contribution made by the United Nations Regional Cartographic Conference for Asia and the Pacific to strengthening technical cooperation and transfer of technology within the countries and economies of the region in the light of rapid technological advances,

Noting with appreciation that the background papers presented at the Thirteenth United Nations Regional Cartographic Conference for Asia and the Pacific were informative and effective in establishing a framework for subsequent discussions on related agenda items and for future agendas,

Expressing its appreciation for the commendable work of the United Nations Secretariat, especially the Sustainable Development and Environmental Management Branch of the Department for Development Support and Management Services, in preparing for the Conference and providing the necessary resources to facilitate its accomplishment, and commending also its increased level of cooperation with international scientific and professional organizations,

Bearing in mind the conclusions and recommendations contained in the report of the Working Group of the Thirteenth United Nations Regional Cartographic Conference for Asia and the Pacific on future regional cartographic conferences,

1. Recommends that the Economic and Social Council should convene the Fourteenth United Nations Regional Cartographic Conference for Asia and the Pacific in mid-1997, with a primary focus on the contribution of surveying, mapping and charting in support of the implementation of Agenda 21;

2. Also recommends that the United Nations should continue to provide the secretariat for future united Nations Regional Cartographic Conferences for Asia and the Pacific and sponsor the preparation of background papers, the selection of which should be done with the assistance, inter alia, of international and professional organizations;

3. Further recommends that financial resources should be allocated by the United Nations within existing resources to host a United Nations Regional Cartographic Conference for Asia and the Pacific that is five days long.

Back to List of Resolutions

The Conference,

Recognizing that this Conference is designed to cover Asia and the Pacific,

Noting with concern that the least developed and other developing countries with low per capita income were not adequately represented at the Twelfth and Thirteenth United Nations Regional Cartographic Conferences for Asia and the Pacific,

Recommends that the United Nations assist the least developed and other developing countries with low per capita income to attend future Conferences through direct financial assistance, within existing resources, and encourage them to submit reports on their special needs along with their country reports.

Back to List of Resolutions

The Conference,

Recalling the Declaration at Barbados ³ and the Programme of Action for the Sustainable Development of Small Island Developing States, ⁴ adopted by the Global Conference on the Sustainable Development of Small Island Developing States, held at Bridgetown, Barbados, from 25 April to 6 May 1994,

Acknowledging the critical contribution of surveying, mapping and charting and related technologies to predicting and alleviating the potential for environmental damage,

Noting with concern that both the Twelfth and Thirteenth United Nations Regional Cartographic Conferences for Asia and the Pacific were attended by very few of the small island developing States of the Pacific,

Aware of the financial difficulties involved in attending this Conference,

Conscious that owing to their exclusive economic zone boundaries, these States are responsible for environmental management of extensive ocean areas of the Pacific region,

Recognizing the special benefits that are being realized by the less affluent countries from the technical advances in cartography and related disciplines that have been reported at this Conference,

Appeals to the United Nations to assist the Pacific small island developing States by:

(a) Redirecting financial assistance to help with costs for attending future Conferences within existing resources;

(b) Including special agenda items relevant to such States;

(c) Facilitating, inter alia, group workshops and seminars between Conferences.

Note:
³ Report of the Global Conference on the Sustainable Development of Small Island Developing States, Bridgetown, Barbados, 26 April-6 May 1994 (A/CONF.167/9) (United Nations publication, forthcoming), chap. I, resolution 1, annex I.

⁴ Ibid., annex II.

Back to List of Resolutions

The Conference,

Acknowledging that Governments have a right to withhold, restrict or recover the cost of spatial information in the national interest, and for security reasons,

Recognizing that many national and international agencies and organizations have a need to hold and use spatial data to ensure effective action in member States related to economic and social well-being and development,

Noting that satellite-based systems now allow comprehensive spatial data sets to be independently compiled by extranational agencies,

Concerned that the costs of compiling and maintaining such data sets are likely to remain prohibitively high for some member States and organizations, particularly the smaller and/or more vulnerable member States,

1. Calls upon relevant authorities in member States to authorize their national survey and mapping agencies to make more widely available, in timely, affordable and appropriate form, such spatial information as is needed by national and international agencies and organizations to enable United Nations resolutions to be effectively implemented;

2. Urges all member States and agencies possessing spatial data sets with potential value to the economic and social welfare of other member States and national and international agencies and organizations to continue their efforts to improve the means of making such data sets available to all;

3. Recommends that the access to information start with making small-scale maps and geographical data of one-kilometre resolution available to interested countries.

Back to List of Resolutions

The Conference,

Emphasizing the importance of Agenda 21 as the blueprint for sustainable development, its defined roles for the surveying, mapping and charting community, and the responsibility of all institutions and organizations to support its objectives,

Recognizing the relevance of surveying, mapping and charting in implementing Agenda 21,

Recommends that national surveying and mapping organizations, institutions and professionals, when reviewing and revising their list of corporate responsibilities, and their objectives and work plans, heed the directives of Agenda 21 regarding, inter alia:

(a) Access by individuals to appropriate information, and encouraging public awareness and participation by making information widely available, as set forth as well in the Rio Declaration on Environment and Development; ⁵

(b) Developing/strengthening legal frameworks for land management, and access to land resources and land ownership (chapter 3 on combating poverty) ;

(c) Increasing exchange of information between institutions (chapter 5 on demographic dynamics and sustainability) ;

(d) Undertaking national inventory of land resources to establish a land information system (chapter 7 on promoting sustainable human settlement development);

(e) creating efficient and accessible land markets by improving land registry systems and streamlining land transaction procedures (chapter 7 on promoting sustainable human settlement development);

(f) National mapping programmes (chapter 10 on an integrated approach to the planning and management of land resources) ;

(g) Developing integrated information systems for environmental monitoring, accounting and impact analysis (chapter 12 on managing fragile ecosystems: combating desertification and drought);

(h) Developing methodologies for establishment of databases, description of land uses (chapter 14 on promoting sustainable agriculture and rural development) ;

(i) Developing and maintaining databases for assessment and management of coastal areas, and adequate coastal and ship-routing charting for navigational safety (chapter 17 on protection of the oceans);

(j) Transformation of existing information into forms more useful for decision makers (chapter 40 on information for decision-making) .

Note:
⁵ Report of the United Nations conference on Environment and Development, Rio de Janeiro, 3-14 June 1992, vol. I, Resolutions Adopted by the Conference (United Nations publication, Sales No. E.93.I.8 and corrigendum), resolution 1, annex I.

Back to List of Resolutions

The Conference,

Recognizing the important role women play in surveying, mapping and charting,

Noting the underrepresentation of women at professional and educational conferences and in networking activities,

Recommends that national surveying, mapping and charting organizations create increased opportunities for women to participate in such activities and to create opportunities for women for career advancement.

Back to List of Resolutions

The Conference,

Recalling resolution 4, on regional geodetic reference systems, of the Twelfth United Nations Regional Cartographic Conference for Asia and the Pacific,

Recognizing the emergence of the Global Positioning System as a key geodetic technique which can be employed to strengthen or complete national geodetic infrastructures,

Noting the current use of the World Geodetic System 84 (WGS-84) for mapping, charting and navigation by many nations world wide, and its adoption by the International Civil Aviation organization (ICAO) and the International Hydrographic organization (IHO), for aeronautical charting and nautical charting respectively,

Bearing in mind that the International Terrestrial Reference Frame (ITRF) is recommended by the International Association of Geodesy (IAG),

Cognizant of the convergence of these two systems over time and the ongoing evolution of global geodetic reference systems,

Recommends that all countries in the region adopt a geocentric reference system, as soon as practicable.

Back to List of Resolutions

The Conference,

Recalling resolution 9, on hydrographic surveying and nautical charting, of the Eleventh United Nations Regional Cartographic Conference for Asia and the Pacific, and resolution 6, on promotion of hydrographic surveying and nautical charting services in the region, of the Twelfth United Nations Regional Cartographic Conference for Asia and the Pacific,

Noting with concern that a significant lack of adequate hydrographic surveying data and nautical charts is a serious impediment to the sustainable development of the maritime nations of the Asia and Pacific region,

Noting that the rate of economic development in the region is threatened by this lack of data, as reflected in the hindrance of efforts in such areas as improvement of port facilities, expansion of maritime trade, growth of tourism and recreational maritime activities, and delineation of offshore maritime boundaries,

Bearing in mind that a lack of adequate hydrographic survey data and nautical charts has a direct effect on safety of navigation, and that a number of recent maritime accidents have resulted in damage to the marine environment and coastal ecology,

Noting with satisfaction the initiative of the hydrographic offices of countries of the Association of South-East Asian Nations (ASEAN) with regard to the identification of the need for a maritime operations management project aimed at improving the safety of navigation,

Recognizing that the International Hydrographic Organization (IHO) continues to promote the proposal for a South China Sea Project (SCSP) to significantly improve the charts of this area of heavy maritime traffic,

Recognizing also that the project documentation drafted by the Hydrographic Office of the Philippines for the proposed South China Sea Project has been revised through cooperation among the member States of the East Asia Hydrographic Commission,

1. Recommends that the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) vigorously support the International Hydrographic Organization initiative for the proposed South China Sea Project by assisting in the identification of available resources, so that the project may move forward as a matter of priority;

2. Also recommends that the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific and the International Hydrographic Organization identify available resources to establish an Association of South-East Asian Nations maritime operations management project, as a second priority.

Back to List of Resolutions

The Conference,

Recalling the conclusions derived from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)/International Federation of Surveyors (FIG) round-table meeting and "Cadastral reform in rural economies in transition", held in Melbourne, Australia, in March 1994, just prior to the FIG Congress,

Bearing in mind that cadastral systems are not an end in themselves but are essential in order to support an efficient land market, and the provision of social justice, and to improve productivity, as well as to facilitate the efficient management of the environment,

Recognizing the need for all countries in the region to have an effective user-based cadastral system that is appropriate to local needs, as basic infrastructure for the sustainable management of land, the optimization of agrarian production, and the security of citizens,

Acknowledging that some countries of the region have limited funds, education and training, and limited ability to support sophisticated cadastral systems,

Convinced that the countries of the region should have access to and use of new cadastral technology where appropriate, as long as cadastral systems are both economically and technically sustainable,

Noting that a number of countries in the region are undertaking or planning cadastral reform,

Aware of the different levels of development of the countries of the region, as well as of difference in needs, culture, policy and law, and of the variation in effectiveness of national cadastral systems and capacity,

Recognizing that every country of the region may have different requirements for cadastral systems, but that there is sufficient commonality among the needs of countries,

1. Recommends that the United Nations with the expert assistance of the International Federation of Surveyors (FIG) and other relevant organizations support the preparation of a regional and global compilation of optional components of a cadastre, including legal aspects, land policy, institutional arrangements, technology and economics;

2. Also recommends the preparation of case-studies of cadastral systems and cadastral reforms, so that countries of the region engaged in establishing or reforming a cadastre may become aware of various options and learn from the successes and failures of others.

Back to List of Resolutions

The Conference,

Recalling the recommendation of the Twelfth United Nations Regional Cartographic Conference for Asia and the Pacific that Global Positioning System observations should be introduced into suitable photogrammetric block adjustment programmes to provide control for surveying and mapping in a more economical manner,

Recognizing the developments in the availability and operability of the Global Positioning System in aerial survey flying with respect to determining camera station coordinates,

Noting that such data can be used in aerial triangulation adjustment with a significant reduction of ground survey requirements for photogrammetric control,

Recommends to national surveying and mapping authorities the use of an in-flight Global Positioning System for the determination of camera coordinates, as soon as practicable.

The Conference,

Recognizing the continued development and application of digital photogrammetric data-collection systems, and the need for national surveying and mapping authorities to plan their longer-term equipment,

Noting that as digital photogrammetric data-collection systems develop, they will have evident advantages over analytical systems,

Recommends that member countries, in planning for equipment, note that in the future digital photogrammetric data-collection systems will become more and more applicable, while for the time being analog, analytical and digital photogrammetric data-collection systems and instrumentation will continue to be used in parallel for mapping and map revision.

Back to List of Resolutions

The Conference,

Noting the rapid development of mapping and geographical information systems in recent years,

Recognizing the need for efficient data acquisition for mapping and geographical information systems,

Emphasizing the importance of the standardization of mapping and geographical information systems for their further development and cost efficiency,

Encourages member nations in the region to participate in international geographical information system (GIS) standardization efforts.

Back to List of Resolutions

The Conference,

Recognizing the contribution that surveying, mapping and charting can make to a Government's strategic priorities and objectives in resource management and land development and to Agenda 21,

Recognizing also the role of new technology in enhancing the effectiveness and productivity of survey and mapping organizations,

Noting the need for greater opportunity in the region to share knowledge and experience so as to facilitate the transfer of technology,

Conscious that a well-focused programme covering both applied technology and user needs would enable a workshop to share and develop knowledge on surveying, mapping and charting applications relevant to sustainable development,

Conscious also of the difficulties of small island developing States and others in assessing the appropriate applications of technology for meeting both national and United Nations objectives and strategies for sustainable development,

Noting New Zealand's agreement and capability to organize such a workshop,

Recommends that a mid-term workshop on the contribution that applied cartographic technology can make to sustainable development be held in 18 months' time in New Zealand.

Back to List of Resolutions

The Conference,

Recognizing the importance of legislation on surveying and mapping for legal administration and the further development of cartography in all countries,

Recognizing also the need for the exchange of experiences on the drawing-up and implementation of laws or regulations on surveying and mapping,

Noting that many countries have promulgated laws or regulations on surveying and mapping and gained rich experience in their implementation,

Recommends that:

(a) Legislation should be one of the important topics for future cartographic conferences;

(b) The United Nations facilitate the organization of special seminars or symposia for legislation on surveying and mapping;

(c) The United Nations facilitate the collection of existing laws or regulations on surveying and mapping from all countries and publish a special issue of World Cartography on surveying and mapping legislation.

Back to List of Resolutions

The Conference,

Recognizing the importance of the international standardization of geographical names based on national standardization programmes of member countries,

Noting that such national programmes are based on sound toponymic knowledge and the importance of geographical names as a significant identification layer in national land information and geographical information systems,

Acknowledging the great benefit to participating countries resulting from the last training course on toponymy in Indonesia in 1989, particularly the formation of geographical names authorities, the inclusion of toponymy in technical syllabuses and the carrying out of place-names surveys,

Acknowledging also the great interest expressed by member countries of the Asia South-East and Pacific South-West Division of the United Nations Group of Experts on Geographical Names at the Seventh Meeting of the Division held in Beijing, 7 and 8 May 1994, on the need for a further training course on toponymy,

Recommends that the United Nations sponsor another course on toponymy to be held in the region some time in the period 1995-1996, within existing resources.

Back to List of Resolutions

The Conference,

Noting the rapid development and progress of geographical information systems in all countries in past years,

Bearing in mind that geographical information systems form a fundamental part of the information industry,

Recognizing the urgent need for regional and global geographical information system cooperation and the necessity for experience exchange and technology transfer on geographical information systems,

Recommends that within a year from now, with the initial administrative support of the United Nations Secretariat, directorates of national survey and mapping organizations in the region form a permanent committee to discuss and agree on, inter alia, geographical information system standards, geographical information system infrastructure and institutional development, and linkage of the prospective committee with related bodies in the world.

Back to List of Resolutions

The Conference,

Recognizing the need for the development, implementation and proper use of geographical information and land information systems for the sustainable development of urban infrastructure and urban land use,

Realizing that in some member countries, these activities have evolved in separate organizations without intensive coordination, as a result of existing laws and national security that must be respected,

Appreciating that such work is promoted by national and international scientific and professional societies in the cartographic field,

Recommends that through the United Nations (the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific) and within available resources an international group of experts be established to provide recommendations on standardizing data exchange formats, and on facilitating the exchange of digital cartographic data, and to initiate the study of the technical means by which geographical information-related databases can best be integrated at the international level.

Back to List of Resolutions

The Conference,

Recognizing the new priorities for sustainable development as set out in Agenda 21 and the changing services required of surveying and mapping organizations,

Recognizing also the pressures for organization reform in countries in the region and the growing requirements of developing functions and services to meet new-age needs,

Noting the importance of corporate management development in surveying and mapping organizations to ensuring relevant vision, mission, strategy and planning for a changing future,

Noting also the relevance of the processes and techniques now applied in the general management field,

Conscious that all countries in the region are at some stage of transition from traditional organizational systems to systems transformed through new technology,

Conscious also of the value of Countries' working cooperatively in the region to exchange information and use each other's experience and capability to advance institutional and organizational development,

Recommends that the United Nations assist in the establishment of a regional network to facilitate the assessment and priority of organizational development to encourage more effective transfer of technology in the region,

Back to List of Resolutions

The Conference,

Recognizing the past and ongoing level of investment in geospatial data and the importance of those data to the development and care of infrastructure and natural resources,

Recognizing also that effective creation, management and use of digital geospatial data require an authorized national institutional framework with agreed protocols of standards, availability and exchange of data,

Aware that the lack of an effective institutional framework causes inexorable waste of resources through duplication and incompatibility, and of the cost of flawed planning decisions because of incompatible, incomplete or inadequate geospatial data,

Noting that an effective institutional framework for geospatial data management with support at the highest possible level of government is essential for national development and natural resource care and management, and that the unacceptable cost of not achieving this arrangement will increase with time,

1. Recommends that the United Nations be requested to establish, and make known the availability of, an expert consultative and facilitation service available to countries seeking external assistance in achieving an effective geospatial data institutional framework;

2. Also recommends that countries with national, professional or environmental associations invite those associations to become involved in developing or reforming their institutional frameworks;

Back to List of Resolutions

Return to UNRCC Page

Return to Home Page

The contact point for this web page is sec@pcgiap.org
Copyright (C) PCGIAP
This page was last updated 31-03-1998.