HOME > International Projects > Global Map : Development and Application

International Projects

Global Map : Development and Application

Officlal Development Aid (ODA)

By & Multi countrles cooperation

Related Bureau's Information

Data & Links

Topics of Infrastructure Development

Topics of International Cooperation

Contact Us
International Policy Unit for Infrastructure, Policy Bureau,
Ministry of Land,
Infrastructure and Transport,
Government of Japan
( kokusai_ken@mlit.go.jp )

Global Map : Development and Application

Status of Global Mapping Project as of 9 Mar,2006

Status of Global Mapping Project as of 15 January 2004

Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, is internationally promoting Global Mapping Project to develop global
basic digital geographic information for monitoring and analyzing global environmental problems.

1. What is Global Map

In order to cope with global environmental problems, reliable geographic information of the whole globe is indispensable as stated in Agenda 21. In 1992,Global Mapping project was advocated by Ministry of Construction of Japan (current Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport of Japan) with the aim of developing digital geographic data sets (Global Map) of the whole globe. The purpose of the Global Map is to accurately describe the present status of the global environment in international cooperation of respective National Mapping Organizations (NMOs) of the world.

For this purpose, International Steering Committee for Global Mapping (ISCGM) was established in 1996. ISCGM Secretariat is placed at The Geographical Survey Institute (GSI), Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport. Since then, ISCGM has been playing a central role in development of Global Maps. The Global Maps are produced by converting country- specific data sets as well as existing geographic information into Global Map Specifications. So far 21 Countries has developed their Global Map data which are downloadable from the website of ISCGM.

As an registered partnership initiative of WSSD (World Summit on Sustainable Development), ISCGM sets the target of global coverage of Global Maps by 2007.

For more information please see the Website of ISCGM.

2. Global Mapping Partnership Program (GMPP)

(1) Summary

Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport (MLIT), Government of Japan started the "Global Mapping Partnership Program (GMPP)" from FY2002. With the annual budget of about 150,000 US$, GMPP purposes further strengthening of partnerships to promote Global Mapping activities. The types of partnership are not specifically defined but partnership between developing countries and developed countries, Global Mapping project and other sister organizations, and data providers and users are apparently included.

To realize the purpose above, GMPP includes following activities:

1)	Holding international workshops for Global Mapping (Meeting of participating countries);
2)	Holding seminars for technical transfer to the developing countries;
3)	Dispatching experts to developing countries for technical transfer; and
4)	Promoting standardization of Global Mapping data.

GMPP has currently three main focus areas.

1)	Promotion of Global Mapping activities in Africa is considered important. Since some of African countries have not participated in the Global Mapping project yet, it is crucial to enroll them in the Global Mapping project to achieve whole GM coverage of Africa while supporting them technically.
2)	Coordination with sister SDI initiatives is required to efficiently implement Global Mapping activities to avoid overlaps and gaps of data development.
3)	Since enhanced dialogues between data providers and data user bring user-oriented perspectives to Global Mapping implementation, the Program would like to invite representatives of users (both actual and potential) of Global Map data to its activities.

GMPP is planned to continue its activities by 2007 at least, which will be the target year of global coverage of Global Map, as pledged at WSSD in 2002.

(2) The Global Mapping Seminar in Africa

Among the activities of GMPP implemented so far, the Global Mapping Seminar in Nairobi is most remarkable one, because it was the first technical transfer opportunity for Global Mapping in Africa. The first Seminar was held in August 2002 and second one was held in August 2003.

1) 1st Global Mapping Seminar in Nairobi

The first Global Mapping Seminar was held in Nairobi, Kenya from 19 to 23, August 2002. 20 experts from 18 African countries attended the seminar to learn about the policy and technical perspective of Global Map and its promotion. The seminar was regarded as an important step for further promoting Global Mapping and spatial data initiatives in African countries. Results(PDF 2P/14KB) of the Seminar is Available.

2) 2nd Global Mapping Seminar in Nairobi

The Second Global Mapping Seminar wad held in Nairobi, Kenya from 25 to 28, August 2003. The Seminar was participated by 19 experts from the National Mapping Organizations of 17 African countries. The outcomes of the 4-day Seminar are hoped to be the basis for further development of Global Maps and the establishment of Spatial Data Infrastructure for their countries.
Result(PDF 2P/8.6KB), Program(PDF 4P/298KB), Participants(PDF 2P 8.1KB) are available

3) 3rd Global Mapping Seminar in Nairobi

The Third Global Mapping Seminar wad held in Nairobi, Kenya from 8 to 11, November 2004. The Seminar was participated by 18 experts from the National Mapping Organizations of 15 African countries.
Outline(PDF 1P/24KB), Program(PDF 3P/75KB), Participants(PDF 2P/393KB) are available

4) 1st Global Mapping Seminar in Dakar

The First Global Mapping Seminar wad held in Dakar, Senegal from 21 to 22, November 2005. The Seminar was participated by 8 experts from the National Mapping Organizations of 5 African countries.
Outline in English(PDF 1P/12KB), Outline in French(PDF 1P/14KB), Program in English(PDF 2P/296KB), Program in French(PDF 2P/56KB), Participants in English(PDF 2P/15KB) and Participants in French(PDF 2P/15KB) are available

The opening of the Seminar was declared by H.E, Mr. Yosuke Tsuruho, Parliamentary Secretary for Land, Infrastructure and Transport, Government of Japan.

A session in the Second Global Mapping Seminar.

Page Top