While associations like the GSDI were already there, how (and why) was the need for a regional forum perceived?
In response to the 16th resolution of the the 13th United Nations Regional Cartographic Conference for Asia and the Pacific (UNRCC-AP) held in May 1994, PCGIAP was established in July 1995 as a forum of national mapping organizations of 55 countries and regions of Asia and the Pacific. Its foundation and activities, contributed to raise the awareness of Spatial Data Infrastructure (SDI). The significant role PCGIAP served in the region was formally acknowledged in one of the resolutions at the 6th UNRCC- for the Americas 1997, which effectively led to the PCIDEA in 1997 and CODI, for the America and Africa, respectively. GSDI came in 1996 amid the growing needs of SDI that PCGIAP had advocated at a regional level.

What are the goals and objectives of PCGIAP?
As an institution initiated through the UN resolution, our goals are aligned with those of the UN. For the sustainable development envisioned by the UN, PCGIAP seeks to: develop a regional geodetic framework and other basic data for SDI, prepare guidelines and strategies to assist member nations in their SDI endeavours, to document the GIS status of the member nations and develop a framework for exchange, to determine various needs and to explore opportunities for aid funding etc. Through these activities PCGIAP approaches the goals of maximizing benefits of geographic information in accordance with Agenda 21 by providing nations to: (a) cooperate in the development of a regional geographic information infrastructure; (b) contribute to development of a global geographic information infrastructure; (c) share and consult and (d) promote education, training, and technology transfer.

There are many international organizations working in similar fields. Does PCGIAP visualise any collaboration with them?

In addition to the UNRCC-AP, the linkages with the other relevant UN programmes and international bodies are important and indispensable. Further, we have also established a liaison relationship with PCIDEA and ISO/TC211. By inviting them to our meetings and presenting a PCGIAP paper at their meeting we exchange information and learn from the experiences and initiatives of the other regions and organizations. Effective and efficient regional SDI development and implementation greatly depends on interoperability and ready access facilitated by data sharing and standardization efforts among the nations and the organizations.

How has the PCGIAP been instrumental in influencing policy or legislation on availability of datasets or geospatial information?
PCGIAP has played an important role in influencing the thinking of decision-makers. The concept and practice of a spatial data infrastructure, core business for the PCGIAP, is now far better understood as a tool to assist in sustainable development in the region. The principle of sharing data in order to help resolve regional problems, unanimously adopted by PCGIAP, has been widely recognized and accepted. Experiences have influenced the thinking and capability and definately policy decisions in some manner.

Would you like to list a few achievements of PCGIAP since its inception?
At the outset the PCGIAP vision was defined and published as "PCGIAP Publication No.1: Spatial Data Infrastructure for the Asia and the Pacific Region" for a regional spatial data infrastructure. In the regional geodesy field through annual cooperative observation campaigns, a regional geodetic infrastructure has been enhanced providing an opportunity for countries to tie their national geodetic networks to the International Terrestrial Reference Frame (ITRF), while work has progressed towards the development of a regional gravity reference frame. In the area of regional fundamental data, firstly the policy for sharing the fundamental data was developed and then the administrative boundaries pilot project executed. For evolving Asia Pacific SDI Data Node a reference model has been developed. In support of the sustainable development and environmental management a cadastral template development project has been successfully completed. To promote and facilitate the efforts in the field of capacity building and institutional strengthening a training base was established in Hainan, China, which is expected to be fully utilized as a venue of seminars and workshops.

Permanent Committee on GIS Infrastructure for Asia & the Pacific

Was set up under the Resolution 16 of the 13th United Nations Regional Cartographic Conference for Asia and the Pacific in Beijing, 1994. It has 55 member nations and 4 working groups in Regional Geodesy, Fundamental Data, Cadastre and Institutional Strengthening For more information: http://www.pcgiap.org