FIG’s agenda for 2023 to 2026 is driven by the imperative for a sustainable profession that delivers services sustainably, addresses the global sustainable development agenda, and acts decisively on the climate agenda. Yet, our world is characterized by more forceful changes that appear quicker, trigger more interconnection and widespread impacts, and often strike all at once.
Transformative forces- In recent years, several transformative forces have converged, compelling our profession to redefine how we create, deliver, and communicate value within the context of sustainability. The accelerated impact of these trends has created a strategic imperative for our profession to ensure and create long-term value by addressing the expectations of a broader range of stakeholders.
The Plenary Sessions provide thought leadership applicable across all of our broad community of surveyors and geospatial experts. The three plenary topics highlights these transformative trends. This year our key notes will be from leading professionals seeking to unpack what it means to champion a digital generation
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7 April 2025 |
8 April 2025 |
9 April 2025 |
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| 9.00-10.30 | Opening Ceremony incl opening of exhibition | 9.00-11:00 | Plenary Session 2 | Plenary Session 3 |
| 10.30-11.00 | Coffee/tea
Break |
11.00-11.30 | Coffee/tea Break | Coffee/tea Break |
| 11.00-13.00 | Plenary Session 1 | 11.30-13.00 | 11 parallel Technical Sessions | 11 parallel Technical Sessions |
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PLENARY SESSION 1: MONDAY 7 APRIL 2025 11:00 - 13:00 Geography Championing a Digital generation; creating value and collaboration in a geospatial ecosystem |
Seeks to set the tone of the 3 days conferencing in the context of the power of Geography and geospatial ecosystem. This encompasses the physical features of the earth and its atmosphere, as well as the human activity/ populations and effects, resources and economic activities.
Chair: FIG Vice President Qin Yan, China
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Mr Greg Scott, Australia PVBLIC FoundationExecutive Director of the SDG Data Alliance Geography and the Geospatial Ecosystem: Enabling Opportunities for a Digital Generation This presentation will provide context to the role of geography and the geospatial ecosystem in ‘sustainable development’ over the past decade. It will then on one hand, provide insights into some of the systemic challenges and impediments countries continue to face that limit their ability to address the adverse impacts of climate change, inequality, limited resources, vulnerability to external shocks, geographic remoteness, and institutional challenges. On the other hand, the presentation will consider how the wave of technological change and digital disruption is providing us with significant opportunities to make change, especially for developing countries, both real and impactful. Finally, the presentation will demonstrate some of the enabling opportunities that the SDG Data Alliance is applying for developing countries and SIDS, seeking ways in which our ‘location-based’ data value chain can be mobilized and applied in such a way that countries can make better, more informed decisions, and take action that has impact. Greg Scott joined PVBLIC Foundation as the Executive Director of the SDG Data Alliance in January 2024 and is leading the expansion of the Alliance into a new phase for developing countries, including increased engagement with Small Island Developing States (SIDS). This appointment followed 12 years in the United Nations as the strategic advisor and Secretariat lead in the establishment and development of the United Nations Committee of Experts on Global Geospatial Information Management (UN-GGIM) in New York. Prior to joining the United Nations, Greg spent 25 years in Geoscience Australia delivering Australia’s national mapping and geospatial programs and providing independent scientific analysis and advice to government in the use of geospatial information for environmental and emergency management, and critical infrastructure protection. Greg has a Graduate Diploma in Geography from the Australian National University, and PhD in Geomatics Engineering from the University of Melbourne. He is also a long-standing member of CSDILA’s Advisory Committee at the University of Melbourne. |
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Mr Stamatis Kotouzas,
Korea Senior Land Administration Specialist, World Bank Land and Climate Action: Global Experiences in Securing Land Rights and Climate Goals The presentation explores the critical role of land in achieving climate goals. It highlights the significant reliance on land-based solutions, particularly reforestation and afforestation, for carbon dioxide removal. The presentation emphasizes the need for improved land tenure, sustainable land management, and equitable access to land for climate actions. The presentation will focus on global experiences in achieving climate goals and securing land and territorial rights of Indigenous Peoples. Stamatis Kotouzas joined the World Bank in 2012 as a Junior Professional Associate at the Latin America and Caribbean Agriculture and Rural Development Unit. Since 2015, as a Land Administration Specialist, he led the design of investment projects that aim to strengthen land tenure rights for urban dwellers, rural landholders, and vulnerable communities. He has also provided implementation support and provided land policy and administration guidance to several multisectoral operations including for municipal development and disaster risk management. During his tenure at the World Bank, he has led or contributed to analytical initiatives in several areas, including the use of ICT for land management and land governance in the context of mining. In 2020, he moved to the East Asia and Pacific region, based in Seoul. He is currently leading regional analytical engagements on property valuation and taxation in ASEAN, smart and green cities, and the intersection of land administration, geospatial and resilience in Pacific Island Countries. Beyond his experience at the World Bank, he has worked at the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) as a Policy Adviser for responsible business conduct in agricultural and mineral supply chains. Stamatis holds master’s degree in international development and economics from Johns Hopkins University’s School of Advanced International Studies and a bacherlor’s degree in political science and Russian from University College London. |
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Dr Li Pengde, China Head of the United Nations Global Geospatial Knowledge and Innovation Centre (UN-GGKIC) in Deqing, China. Innovating Global Geospatial Knowledge to Bridge the Digital Divide In this presentation, I will talk about the Pact of the Future and Global Digital Compact related to digital revolution of global goverance. Geospatial data is essential to good governance. With the new development of AI, geospatial knowledge is becomming more and more important to give geospatial service with high reliebility. I would call for international cooperationss to establish common geospatial knowledge fundation. Dr. Pengde Li was the former Deputy Director General of the China Geological Survey under the Ministry of Natural Resources of China. As the Deputy Director General of National Administration of Surveying, Mapping and Geo-information from 2011 to 2018. He was the Co-Chair of the United Nations Committee of Experts on Global Geospatial Information Management (UN-GGIM) from 2014 to 2018.He served as the Principal of China to the Group on Earth Observations (GEO) from 2015 to 2020. Dr.Li studied Computer Science in Wuhan University from 1979 to 1983. He has obtained Master of Science Degree in Geographic Information Systems in 1992 in ITC, the Netherlands. He got his PhD in photogrammetry and remote sensing in Wuhan University in 1999. Dr.Li worked in various regions and organizations in the domain of geospatial information in China. He was the Member of the Standing Committee of the 12th and 13th National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) for ten years and a Deputy to the 10th and 11th China People’s Congress for 10 years. |
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Ms. Linda Foster,
USA Director, Land Records/Cadastre Solutions ESRI GIS and the Geospatial Ecosystem: Creating the World You Want to See Accelerated technological innovation is presenting an opportunity for geospatial professionals to transform some of the world’s most pressing challenges and create the world they want to see. Linda Foster oversees Esri’s worldwide strategic vision for land records, cadastre, surveying, and land administration. A leader in professional organizations, she is currently president-elect of the National Society of Professional Surveyors. Foster is a registered land surveyor and certified GISP. She also holds a B.S. degree in Geological Engineering and a Master’s degree in GIS from Penn State University. |
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Ignite Presentation Ms. Lisa Bush, Australia Geoscience Australia From silos to synergy: Building Australia’s first national geospatial information ecosystem with the Digital Atlas of Australia Explore how the Digital Atlas of Australia, the Australian Government’s new geospatial platform, is transforming how we connect, manage and use location data. Take a look under the hood at its Integrated Geospatial Infrastructure (IGI) - a national digital ecosystem seamlessly connecting data across borders, systems, and technologies. See how the Digital Atlas is breaking down data silos, to provide easy access and use of hundreds of trusted national datasets in a central location to foster collaboration, efficiency, and innovation. Lisa Bush is the Head of Geoscience Australia's National Location Information Branch, leading efforts to enhance Australia's geospatial capabilities and deliver key government initiatives including the Digital Atlas of Australia. With postgraduate qualifications in Geographic Information Systems environmental management and strategic studies, Lisa has a wealth of expertise, driving national geospatial advancement. Lisa’s passion is realising the potential of location in time and space across multiple and disparate data sets to achieve organisational outcomes. |
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PLENARY SESSION 2: TUESDAY 8 APRIL 2025 9:00 - 11:00 Creating value through collaboration and resilience in the people to land relationships; in the climate action context |
Continuing the climate focus, it seeks to create and define what is a
resilient relationship between land, climate change and people.
As professionals leading in the land, marine and built environment, it is
imperative that we rethink core assumptions, challenge established norms,
and ensure future-proof practices and standards.
Chair: FIG Vice President Winnie Shiu, USA
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Dr. Charisse Griffith-Charles,
Trinidad & Tobago Head of Department at the University of the West Indies and President CASLE, Caribbean Region Resilience in human-land relationships in the face of powerful resource, climate, and social change As land professionals in land administration, we are especially aware of the strong emotive ties of people to land, including ownership, kinship, belongingness, culture, and pride. As the world faces drastic and evolving shifts in land resources, climate, and social structures, resilient land administration structures and the professionals who establish and maintain them must be able to respond to these shifts in a technical fashion without losing sight of the emotional purpose. This presentation explores how to keep people at the centre of the climate actions. Dr Charisse Griffith-Charles Cert. Ed. (UBC), MPhil. (UWI), PhD (UF), FRICS is currently Senior Lecturer in Cadastral Systems, and Land Administration, and Head of Department in the Department of Geomatics Engineering and Land Management, Faculty of Engineering, at the University of the West Indies, St. Augustine, where her research interests are in land registration systems, land administration, and communal tenure especially ‘family land’. She places importance on professional membership and is currently President of the Commonwealth Association of Surveying and Land Economy (CASLE), and a Fellow of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (FRICS) and member of the Institute of Surveyors of Trinidad and Tobago (ISTT). |
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Dr. Siobhan McDonnell, Australia Associate Professor, Director and Lead, The Australian National University Rethinking gender and climate change: implications for land use planning and resettlement The impacts of climate change are experienced as the combined impacts of existing structural vulnerabilities and the intersections of gender, race, class, being able bodied and other aspects of personal identity in profound and important ways. In this presentation I will consider approaches to understanding climate change and gender in a disaster context, by looking at case studies from the Pacific. Drawing on my own practical work and research on displacement, resettlement and land reform in the Pacific this presentation illustrates the critical importance of using intersectional approaches to vulnerability when designing land use planning and resettlement responses in post-disaster, and ongoing climate change contexts. Siobhan McDonnell is an Associate Professor and ARC DECRA Fellow at the Crawford School of Public Policy at The Australian National University. Siobhan is a lawyer and anthropologist who works on climate justice, disaster, resettlement, gender and land rights issues with Indigenous people in Australia and the Pacific. Since 2019 she has been a lead negotiator on climate change for Vanuatu, Fiji and Palau on issues of loss and damage and mitigation. In 2021 Siobhan drafted and launched the Loss and Damage facility for the Pacific at the Glasgow COP. Siobhan has run land cases for Indigenous groups, and in 2014 the Vanuatu government passed land reforms and Constitutional amendments she drafted to support better Indigenous land rights. Dr McDonnell has also advised other Pacific governments on land and environmental issues. In 2023 Dr McDonnell drafted Vanuatu's National Relocation and Resettlement framework. Her current Australian Research Council (ARC) project focuses on working alongside Pacific researchers to conduct a collaborative ethnography of the United Nations Conference of the Parties processes, and her previous ARC was focussed on gender and climate change issues. Since 2023 she has also developed and been leading a climate alumni program to support Pacific Islander and Indigenous Australian students attend Conference of the Parties meetings. |
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Mr Viliami Folau, Tonga Deputy CEO and Director of Surveying at the Ministry of Lands, Survey, Planning and Natural Resources Resilience through Land Management: Linking Land, Climate and People Tongans are costal area people depending on the ocean for their everyday subsistence and wellbeing. The relationship between land and people has been known as one of foundation for human society and social life, security and prosperity. The Tongan constitution is divided into three parts, The Declaration of Rights, The Form of Government, and Land. Male Tongans at the age of 16 can apply for land for residential and for farming. It is a hereditary title passing from male heir to male heir. Women can also own land but through leases, and life estate as the widow of the landowner or a daughter of a landowner without sons, these have conditions. Foreigners cannot own land in Tonga but only through leases. Sale of Land in prohibited. With issues like climate change, the frequent and more severe natural disasters and hazards and with recent tropical cyclones, tsunamis and sea level rise, the government and overseas donors have spent millions of dollars in the relief and response effort for affected population at high risk, low-lying coastal vulnerable areas. The power of the Minister of Land and Land Act do not see eye-to-eye with other legislations such as Spatial Planning Act, Environmental Act and Disaster Act and so forth. These legislations does not restrict the power of the Minister of Lands but broadens its view when in comes to allocation and registering residential land and key infrastructures. Where we live is very important, our safety and safety of our families is paramount. A robust land Use Policy will not only continue to uphold the very essence of our Land Act but also ensure that climate change and natural disasters and hazards are addressed, it will ensure resilience for all. Viliami Folau is currently the Deputy CEO and Director of Surveying at the Ministry of Lands, Survey, Planning and Natural Resources. Before that, I was DCEO and Head of Corporate Services, Chief Geodetic Surveyor and Chief Draughtsman. I graduated from the University of the South Pacific with a Diploma in Geomatics, BA Land Use Planning and Real Estate and MA in Urban Design from Queensland University of Technology. Member of the Pacific Geospatial and Surveying Council, member of the UNGGIM Task Team for Geospatial Information for Climate Resilience. FIG Correspondence member for Tonga before Tonga become a FIG Affiliate Member 2 years ago. |
| Mr. Michael Manikas, Australia General Manager at DLG SHAPE Technology in built environment and climate/ ne zero/ recruitment of indigenous peoples |
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Ignite Presentation Mr. Geoff Smith, Australia Chief Executive Officer, Australian Spatial Analytics Unlocking enormous potential: the neurodiverse geospatial workforce revolution Australian Spatial Analytics (ASA), a not-for-profit social enterprise, is revolutionising the geospatial sector by empowering neurodivergent talent. Hear from 2025 Queensland Australian of the Year, Geoffrey Smith, on how ASA's unique model creates fulfilling careers, addresses skill shortages, and delivers exceptional results for government and industry. Discover how any organisation can build a more (neuro)inclusive and prosperous future. Geoff Smith is a social entrepreneur and inclusion advocate committed to reducing unemployment and increasing tech skills for young adults from disadvantaged backgrounds. A data analyst by trade, Geoff puts into action the idea that technology can create work and wealth for disadvantaged communities. He views social enterprise as the vehicle for unlocking autistic talent pools for traditional employers. Geoff is also the 2025 Queensland Australian of the Year. |
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PLENARY SESSION 3: WEDNESDAY 9 APRIL 2025 9:00 - 11:00 Building foundational competencies that support and benefit people; in land, marine and built environments |
Will consider the professional standards, competencies and appropriate skills to ensure competent professionals in a digital generation. We need to ensure that our skills, training and development keeps us relevant, particularly in relation to transformation and technology that is essential across all our survey and geospatial disciplines.
Chair: FIG Vice President Michalis Kalogiannakis, Greece
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Professor Matt King, Tasmania Director of the Australian Centre for Excellence in Antarctic Science Ice Sheets and Future Shorelines: The Necessary Geodetic Revolution Every centimetre of extra sea-level brings approximately 1 million additional people globally into the zone impacted by the sea. Understanding future coastal sea levels requires a close examination of the change in the great ice sheets of Antarctica and Greenland, as well as vertical land motion around the coast. Both are not well known, but geospatial and geodetic observations provide critical insights into how the ice sheets are changing and offer the most accurate means to quantify vertical land motion. This presentation will explore how satellite geodetic data are increasingly able to define ice sheet changes and how these data, now of sufficient duration and robustness, can quite reliably be used for projections over the coming decades. At the coast, a combination of expanding GNSS networks and a revolution in synthetic aperture radar data coverage promises sub-millimeter-per-year accuracy with quasi-continuous spatial coverage at a continental scale, revealing previously unobserved subsidence and uplift. Together, these advancements place geospatial and geodetic knowledge at the heart of future projections and adaptation planning. However, this progress hinges on universities, governments, and industry addressing a shortage of expertise in these areas. Matt King holds a Bachelor of Surveying (Hons) from the University of Tasmania, where he developed the geodetic knowledge and skills that have underpinned his career in the UK and Australia. His work focuses on ice-sheet change, sea-level change, and Earth's deformation. He was part of the international team that produced the first reconciled estimate of the Antarctic Ice Sheet's contribution to recent sea-level rise, with this and several of his other papers helping establish the IPCC's evidence for the physical basis of climate change. Matt's GPS-based research has provided new insights into the changing shape of the Earth, from tidal timescales to millennia, including global vertical land motions essential for studying sea-level rise. His contributions have been recognised with prestigious medals and lectures from the Royal Society of London and the Australian Academy of Sciences. In 2012, Matt returned to the University of Tasmania as Professor of Polar Geodesy. Since 2021, he has also served as the Director of the Australian Centre for Excellence in Antarctic Science, a $25M multi-university centre dedicated to understanding climate risks emerging from East Antarctica and the Southern Ocean. |
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Ms. Melissa Harris, Australia CEO Geoscience Australia Australia's Geospatial foundations: supporting a connected world Ever wondered how cutting-edge location data shapes everything from disaster response to sustainable farming? Geoscience Australia is transforming raw data into actionable insights, empowering informed decisions across our vast nation. Discover how our groundbreaking initiatives, like the Digital Atlas of Australia and our advanced national positioning infrastructure, are revolutionising industries and communities. Join us to experience how Geoscience Australia is leading the charge, setting the standard for geospatial excellence and shaping the future of location intelligence in Australia. Melissa Harris PSM is the Chief Executive Officer of Geoscience Australia, a world leading science organisation that is the trusted source of critical information that supports the economy, safety and sustainability of Australia. Its activities are extensive and include the 35-year $3.4 billion Resourcing Australia’s Prosperity initiative that will find the critical minerals and strategic materials vital to our future and the transition to net zero. It also includes the Digital Atlas of Australia, the $200 million partnership with the United States on Earth observation through the Landsat Next program as well as the provision of accurate, centimetre level satellite positioning, through the Positioning Australia initiative. Melissa is an experienced chief executive who has worked in government for over 30 years leading change and innovation programs in land administration and planning. Prior to joining Geoscience Australia, Melissa was a senior executive in the Victorian Government including as Chief Executive & Head of Land Use Victoria and Registrar of Titles. Melissa is passionate about using geospatial data and technology to support data driven decision making, innovation in service delivery and improved policy outcomes, particularly given the challenges of climate change, urbanisation and financial sustainability. Melissa received the Public Service Medal in the 2023 Kings Birthday Honours for outstanding public service to state and local government, and transformation in the areas of geospatial, planning and land administration in Victoria. |
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Ms. Allison Craddock,
USA Member of the Geodynamics and Space Geodesy Group at the NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California, USA Where am I? Unlocking the Power of Geodesy with International Collaborations Our Earth is a living, breathing planet that is constantly changing, and our precise position on this changing planet creates a common language that translates so much about our existence into meaningful knowledge. While almost everyone uses geodetic data and information in some way, very few people understand the science and infrastructure that goes into providing geodetic data reliably and sustainably enough to fuel trusted positioning data. The surveying community is uniquely positioned to play a key role in amplifying the visibility of geodesy – join the efforts to ensure geodesy is visible and sustainable and help surveying and geodesy grow stronger together. Allison Craddock a member of the Geodynamics and Space Geodesy Group at the NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California, USA. Her work includes advocacy and coordination for interoperable, discoverable, and openly available Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) data; promoting geodetic infrastructure development; and amplifying the visibility of the global geodetic reference frame. She is the Director of the International GNSS Service (IGS) Central Bureau, Manager of External Relations for the International Association of Geodesy’s Global Geodetic Observing System, and a staff member of the NASA Space Geodesy Program. |
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Professor Anthony Yeh, Hong Kong Department of Urban Planning and Design, The University of Hong Kong, HKSAR China Big Data and Smart Cities The development of smart cities is a worldwide phenomenon. Smart cities have generated a lot of big data. The integration of these big data with GIS and artificial intelligence has produced many new methods and applications of data analysis and urban simulation. However, in order to use these data properly, we need to understand the issues and limitations in using them. Anthony G.O. Yeh is a Member of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and the Hong Kong Academy of Sciences, Chair Professor in Urban Planning and GIS at the University of Hong Kong. He has been Director of GIS Research Centre, Dean of Graduate School of t he University of Hong Kong. He is also a Fellow of TWAS (The World Academy of Sciences), Academy of Social Sciences in the UK, Hong Kong Institute of Planners (HKIP), Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI), Planning Institute of Australia (FPIA), Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) and Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT). One of his research areas is the applications of geographic information systems (GIS) as planning support system in smart city and urban development and planning. He has published over 30 books and monographs and over 180 international journal papers and book chapters. He has been President of Asia GIS Association, Founding Secretary-General of the Asian Planning Schools Association and Asia GIS Association, Founding President of the Hong Kong GIS Association, Chairman of the Hong Kong Geographical Association, Vice‑President of the Commonwealth Association of Planners, Vice‑President of the Hong Kong Institute of Planners, and Chairman of the Geographic Information Science Commission of the International Geographic Union (IGU). |
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Ignite presentation Miss Kass Boladeras, Australia Winyama - Marketing and Operations Manager, Digital Empowerment Program Manager Healing Country by Bridging the Digital Divide: The Power of Indigenous Mapping Country is sick, and Indigenous communities are facing a dual crisis—environmental devastation and a digital divide that limits access to the geospatial tools needed for land management. But when traditional knowledge meets technology, the opportunities for healing Country and strengthening communities are endless. Explore how Mob-led mapping is transforming land management, cultural preservation, and environmental protection. Through the Indigenous Mapping Workshop, First Nations people are harnessing cutting-edge geospatial technology to map their land, tell their stories, and reclaim data sovereignty. Kass Boladeras is a proud Ballardong Noongar yorga. Driven by a passion for equity and meaningful change, Kass is dedicated to improving outcomes for Mob. As the Program Manager for initiatives like the Indigenous Mapping Workshop, Kass plays a key role in turning strategy into action. She leads the development and implementation of programs that support Closing the Gap outcomes, ensuring Indigenous communities have access to the digital tools and opportunities they need to thrive. |
 
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