September 15, 2020 -- EuroGeographics, which represents Europe’s National Mapping, Cadastral and Land Registration Authorities (NMCAs), has welcomed a new framework for effective land administration that recognises the importance of providing secure land and property rights to people across the world.

The adoption of the Framework for Effective Land Administration (FELA) at the tenth session of the United Nations Committee of Experts on Global Geospatial Information Management (UN-GGIM), follows an extensive consultation to which EuroGeographics and its members contributed.

Mick Cory, Secretary General and Executive Director, EuroGeographics says: “The greater majority of humanity do not enjoy secure land rights.  The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development is a global plan of action: effective land administration underpins and supports leaving no one behind - the commitment of the 2030 Agenda.  Many EuroGeographics’ members focus on property rights and registration, and we have an active knowledge network of cadastral and land registration experts.”

“We are pleased by this recognition that secure land and property rights for all is a crucial component for an economically, socially and environmentally sustainable society through  FELA’s full alignment with the Integrated Geospatial Information Framework which supports the Sustainable Development Goals for both developing and developed countries.”

“We encourage the Expert Group to consider how best to actively engage with wider stakeholders and decision makers outside the geospatial community to promote and advocate the importance of effective and efficient land administration and management.

He continued: “In Europe, we see a need where – based on the existing level of maturity – next steps can be defined following the nine pathways of the Integrated Geospatial Information Framework (IGIF).  As the membership association for European NMCAs, we continue to follow the progress of the FELA and welcome opportunities for future cooperation, particularly through our Knowledge Exchange Network on Cadastre and Land Registration which provides a valuable forum for sharing best practice and experiences.”

EuroGeographics is an international not-for-profit organisation (AISBL/ IVZW under Belgian Law. BCE registration:  833 607 112) and the membership association for the European National Mapping, Cadastral and Land Registry Authorities. It currently brings together members from 46 countries, covering the whole of geographical Europe.