FIG General Assembly

Minutes

44th General Assembly - 2021

Sunday 20 and Friday 25 June 2021

INTRODUCTION

FIG 44th General Assembly was held online and consisted of 4 sessions. All sessions were recorded and are available through youtube. The agenda included agenda items both from the 43rd General Assembly which was postponed to 2021 and the 44th General Assembly.


General Assembly Sessions

Session 1 called “Presidents and council session” – took delegates through the General Assembly agenda including the Presidents report, the Financial Report, matters and other General Agenda items.

Session 2 "Get to know your candidates" – the session introduced the candidates for the Vice President positions and the Commission Chair candidates and explained the voting procedure. The voting for the destination 2025 was cancelled which is explained in session 1

-  Votings started after this session and took place during the eWorking Week days 21-24 June 2021   -

Session 3 "FIG Governance". The session presented the results of the voting. Hereafter the session was dedicated to the Task Force on Governance; the report from the Task Force, and the response from Council. There were discussions in breakout rooms on three different selected topics:

  1.  Understanding and defining the FIG brand
  2. Outlining the Benefits of FIG to members
  3. Increasing and enabling Young surveyors to transition post the YSN

Session 4 "The work of FIG". FIG as an organization is very broad in its scope. We are active from grass-root surveying to high level science, from local to UN-activities. We are seen as an important international organization representing the field of surveyors. This session will highlight some of our achievements and involvements.  It is impossible to cover all. In this session we will hear from FIGs work related to Global Land Tool Network (GLTN), Land Administration Domain Model (LADM), international boundaries, African water governance, Surveying history, FIG Volunteer Community Surveyor Program (VCSP) and we will also celebrate 20 years of FIG Foundation


GENERAL ASSEMBLY RELATED PROGRAMME ITEMS

Member Association Forum

This forum is held each year for member associations and regional bodies with topics of current interest. Two main topics were on the agenda:

  • How to attract young people to the profession, and
  • the impact of COVID 19 on member associations
Report
Council special session:
Reimagining the future of the Surveying Profession Post 2020 
 A focus on the skills and talent that we need to remain relevant as we move toward 2028.  The achievements of the past 18 months brings into sharp focus an important question for our profession today; as we look to the future of surveying, What skills and talents will we need to possess to solve the problems of the 21st century, and why.The session aimed to draft a statement addressed to Council for inclusion in the Future 2028 strategy deliberations and to gain knowledge, to achieve results with land and property organisations, to exchange knowledge and to be inspired.
Statement note
Director Generals Forum The annual FIG Director Generals Forum brings together Chief Executives or Director Generals of national (or provincial) agencies and FIG Affiliate Members that have responsibility over mapping, cadastral, valuation, planning and development, land administration and management from around the world. The Forum allows peer-to-peer engagement to address the present challenges and opportunities, including the responsibility of national agencies to stay relevant and effective. In line with the overall theme of the Working Week, the DG Forum this year will focus on sharing a vision on the role of our profession in land and water management and the challenges in a new reality.

Minutes

of the 44th General Assembly 2021 (agenda) - also including the 43rd General Assembly 2020 (agenda)

Minutes in pdf


List of Agenda Items

  1. OPENING PROCEEDINGS
  2. ROLL CALL
  3. APPOINTMENT OF TELLERS
  4. ADOPTION OF THE AGENDA
  5. ADOPTION OF THE MINUTES OF THE 42nd GENERAL ASSEMBLY
  6. MEMBERSHIP
  7. PRESIDENT’S REPORT 2020 AND 2021
  8. APPOINTMENT OF HONORARY MEMBERS
  9. CO-OPERATION WITH THE UNITED NATIONS AND THE WORLD BANK
  10. LIAISON WITH INTERNATIONAL PROFESSIONAL ORGANISATIONS
  11. FIG ACCOUNTS FOR 2019 AND 2020, AUDITOR'S REPORTS AND BUDGETS 2021-2024
  12. SUBSCRIPTION RATES FOR 2022 AND 2023
  13. FIG FOUNDATION
  14. FIG COMMISISONS
  15. FIG NETWORKS AND PERMANENT INSTITUTIONS
  16. TASK FORCE ON FIG AND THE SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS
  17. TASK FORCE ON FIG GOVERNANCE
  18. ELECTION OF TWO VICE PRESIDENTS FOR 2021-2024
  19. ELECTION OF COMMISSION CHAIRS ELECTS
  20. DECISION ON THE VENUE FOR FIG WORKING WEEK 2025
  21. OTHER ISSUES
  22. REPORT ON THE FIG CONGRESS 2022 IN CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA
  23. FIG PRESIDENTS MEETING
  24. (BY INVITATION ONLY)
  25. PRESENTATION OF CERTIFICATES OF APPRECIATION AND CLOSING CEREMONY

1. OPENING PROCEEDINGS

President Rudolf Staiger opened the 44th General Assembly. Please note that the minutes also include motions from the 43rd General Assembly 2020 which was postponed to 2021.  

In his opening proceedings Rudolf Staiger included information on the structure of the online format of the General Assembly including the voting procedure.   Rudolf Staiger announced the sad news that

The results of the votings presented by SimplyVoting certified reports:

2. ROLL CALL

The General Assembly was open for all interested participants. Member Associations were asked in advance to register their official delegate. With the appointment of an official representative, FIG considered the members as “present” at the General Assembly.
This delegate was furthermore the representative who received the voting emails.  

Out of the 104 Member Associations 73 members registered from 59 countries and are included as being present in the roll call.

 These 73 members amount to 89 votes in total due to the fact that members with over 1,000 claimed national members have two votes, and the members with 5,500 or more national members have three votes.  

Appendix to item 2: Roll Call including information on member associations that are not allowed to vote at the General Assembly because of unpaid membership fees for 2020 and earlier.

Motion: Those members who have assigned an official delegate are recorded in the minutes.

Decision: The motion was adopted

3. APPOINTMENT OF TELLERS

FIG Council suggested to appoint:

The voting sheets were prepared by FIG Office and the two appointed tellers together with FIG Director had access to the SimplyVoting system. It is important to note that nobody within FIG including the two tellers had access to details of the cast votes.

Motion: That the General Assembly appoints two tellers:

Decision: The motion was adopted

4. ADOPTION OF THE AGENDA

The General Assembly was announced through the newsletter and on FIG web site, and the Agenda for the General Assembly was published in April on the web site and sent by email to all members.

Motion: That the agenda for both 2020 and 2021 will be adopted

Decision: The motion was adopted

5. ADOPTION OF THE MINUTES OF THE 42nd GENERAL ASSEMBLY

The minutes from 2019 have been circulated previously. There are no minutes from 2020 due to the postponement of the General Assembly.

Appendix to item 5: Minutes of the General Assembly in Hanoi, Vietnam, April 2019.

Motion: That the minutes are adopted as recorded.

Decision: The motion was adopted.

6. MEMBERSHIP

6.1 Admittance of new Member Associations

FIG has received two applications for membership since the 42nd General Assembly.

Zimbabwe Institute of Geomatics - ZIG  MA-10137 

Zimbabwe Institute of Geomatics ZIG has applied for association membership. The association was established in 2018. Zimbabwe Institute of Geomatics, Zimbabwe, fulfils the criteria of FIG Member Association. In accordance with the Statutes and Internal Rules, the current member from Zimbabwe, Survey Institute of Zimbabwe has been consulted and has sent its support to include ZIG as member of FIG. ZIG has 20 members.  

Appendix to item 6.1.2: Application form

Motion: That the General Assembly admits Zimbabwe Institute of Geomatics – ZIG to become a member of FIG

Decision: The motion was adopted. In session 3 a thank you video recording from ZIG was played.

Association of Surveyors of the Solomon Islands - MA-10138

Association of Surveyors of the Solomon Islands has applied for association membership. The association was established in August 2017 and has currently 28 qualified members and 35 qualifying members.
 
Appendix to item 6.1.3: Application form

Motion: That the General Assembly admits Association of Surveyors of the Solomon Islands to become a member of FIG.

Decision: The motion was adopted. In session 3 a statement from the association was read aloud.

6.2 Other Member Association Issues

Tanzania Institution of Valuers and Estate Agents (TIVEA) - MA-10130 (from 2020)

Unfortunately, Tanzania Institution of Valuers and Estate Agents (TIVEA) has decided to resign from their membership  

Serbian Union of Surveyors MA-10072 was expelled at the General Assembly 2019. FIG Office has since then received payment and Serbian Union of Surveyors has been reinstalled.

Motion: That the General Assembly notes the update.

Decision: The motion was adopted

6.3 Expulsion of member associations

The General Assembly has power to expel from the Federation any member association whose fees are in arrears and shall under normal circumstances expel any member association whose fees are three years in arrears. (Article 4.3 of the Statutes). The FIG office has sent information to these associations informing that if their membership fees are still in arrears at the time of the General Assembly the General Assembly shall expel the above member associations at its meeting on 20 June 2021.

Unless FIG Office receives payment from the associations.

After acceptance of new member associations, the number of FIG member associations is 102 from 86 countries.

Motion: That the General Assembly notes that at this General Assembly there are two members to expel unless FIG office receives payment from the associations:

Decision: The motion was adopted.

6.4 Suspended status 2020 and 2021

In accordance with its administrative measures, FIG Council, has deferred to continue for 2020 the issuance of a membership subscription invoice to the following members and FIG Council deem their membership to be in suspension:

Council has decided to also move

to suspended status as again an international ban makes it impossible for them to transfer the registration fee.

The situation with these associations will be reconsidered by Council again in 2022.

Motion: That the General Assembly notes the members in suspension.

Decision: The motion was adopted

6.5 Other membership issues

6.5.1 Affiliate members

There has been one application for affiliate membership since the General Assembly 2019.  

Two affiliate members have been expelled:

After these changes the number of Affiliate members is 44 from 43 countries.

6.5.2 Corporate members

FIG Council has admitted one application for corporate membership:

SuperMap, China, has changed their corporate member level from gold (category B) to bronze (category D) (2020)

Geoweb S.p.A, Italy has changed their corporate member level from silver (category C) to basic level (category E) (2020)

FIG Council has expelled the following members due to lack of payment of membership fee:

COWI – Corporate member category D- Bronze level has unfortunately terminated its membership per 31.12.2020.

Thomsen Reuters (Earlier ILS) – Corporate member Category C – Silver Level has decided to terminate their membership.

After these changes, the number of corporate members is now 22.

6.5.3 Academic members

FIG Council has admitted five applications to become Academic member since the General Assembly 2019:

The payment structure of the Academic Members was changed in 2013 so that Academic Members would be invoiced every 4 years instead of every year. The four-year payment will reward the members with a 50% discount. Academic members were invoiced in 2014, and again in 2018.

The number of Academic Members after these changes is 89 from 51 countries.

6.5.4 Correspondents

The number of correspondent members has increased from four to five. The current correspondents are coming from Maldives, Pakistan, Rwanda and Tonga.

One new correspondent has been admitted:
Society of Geodetic Engineers, Geomatics and Surveyors of Venezuela (SIGGMA) – a recently formed new association for surveyors in and outside Venezuela. As a result of the very deep economical and political crisis in Venezuela, many professionals and students have had to move worldwide. The exodus is between 5 and 6 million people. Nowadays many surveyors, geodesists, geomatics, geospatial professionals, and students are trying to settle down in different countries. SIGGMA was created to gather and provide strategic support to all of them.
As long as the society is under development Council has decided to include them as correspondent member, working towards becoming a member association over time.

Motion: That the General Assembly notes the actions that the Council has taken with other membership matters.

Decision: The motion was adopted.

The results of the online voting:

 

7. PRESIDENT’S REPORT

President Rudolf Staiger has prepared the President’s report on the activities of the Federation since the General Assembly in Hanoi, Vietnam April, 2019.  

President Rudolf Staiger presented his report in session 1.

President Rudolf Staiger presented his report in session 1. Appendix to item 7:

Motion: That the General Assembly accepts the President’s report 2020-2021.

Decision: The motion was adopted.

8. APPOINTMENT OF HONORARY MEMBERS

The Council has received three nominations for Honorary Members:

Appendix to agenda item 8: The nomination letters for:

According to the Statutes paragraph 3.1.7 an individual who has materially assisted the development and promotion of the surveying profession at the international level can be appointed as an honorary member. Nomination for this appointment shall be made by a member association or the Council, which will consider it and submit it to a vote of the General Assembly.

The Council has considered all three proposals and decided to propose to the General Assembly that it appoints Dr Robin McLaren, Mr. Jim Smith and Prof. Michael Barry as Honorary Members of the Federation for the outstanding services they have provided to the Federation in different positions and functions.

Motion: That FIG General Assembly appoints Dr Robin McLaren, Mr Jim Smith and Prof. Michael Barry as Honorary Members of FIG.

Decision: The motion was adopted. FIG President Rudolf Staiger presented the three candidates in session 1 and thanked them for their steady work over many years for FIG. The three new honorary members thanked for the appointment in session 3.

9. COOPERATION WITH THE UNITED NATIONS AND THE WORLD BANK

Update from 2019-2020 can be found here:
https://fig.net/organisation/general_assembly/agendas_and_minutes/2020/agenda.asp#9

Update 2020-2021

FIG has continued to collaborate with the World Bank and various agencies and structures within the United Nations.

The main activities in the co-operation with the United Nations and the World Bank during this period have been:

Participation to FAO and the Voluntary Guidelines, VGGT.
Under a Letter of Agreement, several sessions were planned for the FIG Working Week 2020. Instead, a webinar was successfully held in June 2020 on land consolidation legislation – FAO legal guide and its application at country level with more than 550 participants.
Again in 2021 joint FIG/FAO sessions are included in the technical programme of FIG e-Working Week.

Participation to Global Land Tool Network GLTN:

Participation to the work of UN-GGIM

Participation to the work of the International Committee on Global Navigation Satellite Systems (ICG)
Participation to UN-OOSA, Co-chairing WG-D

 FIG had planned participation at the World Bank Conference in March 2020 which was cancelled in 2020 due to COVID 19. FIG had planned a side event.

Motion: That the General Assembly adopts the report on the co-operation between FIG and the United Nations, its agencies and the World Bank and records its thanks to all those who have contributed to this co-operation.

Decision: The motion was adopted. The agenda item was included in the presidents report. Furthermore, in session 4 an interview with Diane Dumashie was included on the cooperation with GLTN. Currently, FIG Vice President Diane Dumashie is co-chairing the International Professional Bodies Cluster of GLTN.

10. LIAISON WITH INTERNATIONAL PROFESSIONAL ORGANISATIONS

Update from 2019-20 can be found here: https://fig.net/organisation/general_assembly/agendas_and_minutes/2020/agenda.asp#10

The Joint Board of Spatial Information Societies JB-GIS was formally established during the FIG Working Week in Cairo in 2005. The name was in 2017 changed to UN-GGIM-Geospatial Societies. The Geospatial Societies meet annually during the United Nations Committee of Experts on Global Geospatial Information Management meetings.

The meeting of UN-GGIM-GS in 2020 was held online.
FIG has taken over the lead of UN-GGIM-GS for the two year term (08.2020-08.2022) FIG has collaborative MoUs with several organizations who are part of the Geospatial Societies.  
FIG has collaborative MoUs with several organizations who are part of the Geospatial Societies. 

FIG has further bilateral agreements of co-operation with several other international associations like ECCE, ISM, IFHP, CIB, IAO, IHO, ION, ICEC, FIABCI, IFHS, PAIGH, PAQS, and UIA.

FIG Chair of Commission 10, Alan Muse, has been appointed chair of the International Construction Measurement Standards Standard Setting Committee. FIG is represented on the ICMS Trustee Board by the President

FIG is represented in International Land Measurement Standard Coalition by Mr. Maurice Barbieri.

FIG is member of the Ethics Standard Committee.

FIG is a member of the International Council for Science (ICSU) and is working together with ISO and International Valuation Standards Committee (IVSC) on standards.

Again in 2021 there were various activities around the world celebrating Global Surveyors day on and around 21 March 2021.

Motion: That the General Assembly records the report on the liaison with other international associations.

Decision: The motion was adopted. The agenda item was included in the presidents report.

11. FIG ACCOUNTS FOR 2019 AND 2020, AUDITOR'S REPORTS AND BUDGETS 2021-2024

In session 1 FIG Director Louise Friis-Hansen presented the financial report to the General Assembly.

Appendix to item 11:

Appendix 2021:

Appendix from the General Assembly 2020  

Motion: That the General Assembly:

Decision: The motion was adopted

Result of the online voting:

 

12. SUBSCRIPTION RATES FOR 2022 AND 2023

The General Assembly has to set levels of fees for member associations two years in advance of the year in which they become payable. Fees are payable in respect of each individual member up to a maximum of 5,500 members. Membership fees have been discussed as part of the finance report, appendix to item 11.

The 2019 General Assembly approved membership fees for 2021 as follows:

  Per capita fee Minimum fee Maximum fee
2021 € 4.80 per member up to a maximum of 5,500 members
Member associations from countries listed by the World Bank as low-income economies or lower-middle-income economies shall pay € 2.40 member up to a maximum of 5,500 members.
25 members or € 50 (whichever is greater) 5,500 members (€ 26,400)

The World Bank lists of the low-income economies and the lower-middle-income economies are available at: http://data.worldbank.org/about/country-classifications/country-and-lending-groups   

The General Assembly decided in 2017 to increase subscription fees with 8% for 2019 after subscription fees have been kept at the same level for the years 2012-2018. In 2018 and 2019 the General Assembly agreed to keep the level from 2019 for the 2020 and 2021 subscriptions, and Council suggest keeping this same rate for both 2022 and 2023. 

  Motion: That the General Assembly adopts following membership fees payable by member associations in 2022 and 2023:

  Per capita fee Minimum fee Maximum fee
2022 + 2023 € 4.80 per member up to a maximum of 5,500 members
Member associations from countries listed by the World Bank as low-income economies or lower-middle-income economies shall pay € 2.40 member up to a maximum of 5,500 members.
25 members or € 50 (whichever is greater) 5,500 members (€ 26,400)

Decision: The motion was adopted.

13. FIG FOUNDATION

Mr. John Hohol, President of the FIG Foundation presented FIG Foundation in session 4.

Appendix to item 13:

Reports from the General Assembly 2020:

Motion: That the General Assembly adopts the written report of the President of the FIG Foundation and records its thanks to the President and members of the Board of Directors of the FIG Foundation for their past year’s work

Decision:  The motion was adopted.

14. FIG COMMISSIONS

The Commission Chairs had for the agenda prepared a written report and video presentation. The online and changed format of the General Assembly did not make it possible to include live, oral reports from all commissions. Instead, general assembly session 4 was composed with a selection of the work that has been undertaken in the recent years by commissions, networks, task forces and permanent institutions.  

Appendix to item 14: Commission reports:

Commission 1 Report Presentation handouts
Commission 2 Report Video presentation
Commission 3 Report Video presentation
Commission 4 Report  
Commission 5 Report Video presentation
Commission 6 Report Video presentation
Commission 7 Report  
Commission 8 Report  
Commission 9 Report  
Commission 10 Report  

 

Go to Commission reports from 2020

Motion: That the General Assembly adopts the reports of the Commission Chairs and records its thanks to the chairs and other officers of the Commissions for their ongoing contributions.

Decision: The motion was adopted

Included in session 4 concerning FIG Commissions was:

15. FIG NETWORKS AND PERMANENT INSTITUTIONS

15.1 Young Surveyors Network

FIG Young Surveyors Network was for the term 2019-2020 chaired by Ms. Melissa Harrington. In 2021 Kwabena Asiama took over as chair of YSN. Attached to this agenda is a report on the FIG Young Surveyors activities during the past year.

Appendix to item 15.1:

2021: Young Surveyors Report

Go to 2020 report: Young Surveyors Report

Motion: that the General Assembly adopts the report, and thanks all the many active Young Surveyors.

Decision: The motion was adopted.

15.2 Standards Network

The Chair of the network, David Martin has prepared a written report to the General Assembly of the activities 2019-21.  

Appendix to item 15.2 –

Motion: That the General Assembly adopts the report from the Network and records its thanks to the Chair of the Network and its members.

Decision: The motion was adopted.

15.3 FIG Regional Capacity Development Networks

The chairs of the two networks have prepared reports on the status of the networks.

Appendix to item 15.3

2021:

2020:

Motion:That the General Assembly adopts the reports from the networks and records its thanks to the Chair of the Network and its members.

Decision: The motion was adopted.

15.4 International Office of Cadastre and Land Records (Office International du Cadastre et du Régime Foncier) OICRF

Prof. Dr. Christiaan Lemmen, Director of OICRF has prepared a report on the OICRF activities.

Appendix to item 15.4:

2021: Report from the International Office of Cadastre and Land Records (Office International du Cadastre et du Régime Foncier) OICRF

2020: Report from the International Office of Cadastre and Land Records (Office International du Cadastre et du Régime Foncier) OICRF

Motion: That the General Assembly adopts the report and records its thanks to the members of OICRF for their past year’s work and contribution.

Decision: The motion was adopted.

15.5 International Institution for the History of Surveying and Measurement, Permanent Institution of FIG

Mr. Jan de Graeve, Director of the IIHSM, Mr. John Brock and Mr. Jim Smith have prepared a report on the IIHSM.

Appendix to item 15.5:

2021: Report from the International Institution for the History of Surveying and Measurement, Permanent Institution of FIG

2020:  Report from the International Institution for the History of Surveying and Measurement, Permanent Institution of FIG.

Motion:That the General Assembly adopts the report and records its thanks to the Director and the members of the permanent institution for their past year’s work and contribution. 

Decision: The motion was adopted.

In session 4 Jan De Graeve and Jim Smith introduced seven volumes on the History of Surveying. These seven volumes cover 35 years of research and include notes on the History of Determining the Size and Shape of the Earth Using Meridian Arcs spanning over 2,700 years as well as Meridian Arcs in East & Southern Africa with Emphasis on the Arc of the 30th Meridian and Connection Between the Struve Geodetic Arc and the Arc of the 30th Meridian.

16. TASK FORCE ON FIG AND THE SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS

The Council has established two Task Forces for 2019-2022. The first Task Force will focus on FIG and the Sustainable Development Goals. This Task Force is chaired by Ms. Paula Dijkstra from the Netherlands. The Task Force has organised several sessions in the technical programme at the e-Working Week. The Chair of the Task force has submitted a report and presentation.

Appendix to item 16:

2021:

2020: Report from the Task Force on FIG and the Sustainable Development Goals

Motion: That the General Assembly records the report and notes the updates.

Decision: The motion was adopted.

 

17. TASK FORCE ON FIG GOVERNANCE

The Task Force on the Future Governance of FIG is an internal Task Force focusing on an evaluation and proposal of potential changes of the current FIG Governance. Chaired by Vice President Diane Dumashie, it draws upon the work from earlier Task Forces, including the TF on Commission Structure. It aims to investigate the structure of the federation.

The Task Force has conducted several consultation rounds. A first round with the purpose to narrow down the topic, which resulted in the definition of three main areas and seven sub-topics; and a second round to get comments on these seven sub topics. Findings and recommendations are collected in the Task Force report.

17.1 Task Force report and Council response

Session 3 of the General Assembly focused on the findings of the report, the Council response and next steps.

Chair of the Task Force Diane Dumashie presented the findings and recommendations whereafter President Rudolf Staiger gave Councils comments to the report

Three breakout sessions were arranged and the participants of General Assembly session 3 were invited to join these breakout sessions:

  1. Understanding and defining the FIG brand, chaired by Diane Dumashie
  2. Outlining the Benefits of FIG to members, chaired by Louise Friis-Hansen
  3. Increasing and enabling Young surveyors to transition post the YSN, chaired by Kwabena Asiama  

Appendix to item 17.1:

Motion: That the General Assembly records the update report.

Decision: The motion was adopted. FIG President Rudolf Staiger concluded that the Task Force had finalised their work and that the Task Force will be closed down.

No major changes were suggested in the report, however there were several recommendations for both short term and long term amendments that will be further evaluated by FIG Council of which some can be adapted fairly smoothly, and some will need further elaboration.

FIG Council will decide on the next steps based on the reports and the outcome from the breakout sessions.

Rudolf Staiger thanked all task force members for their involvement and help and Diane Dumashie for chairing the Task Force.

17.2 Establishment of an Engagement Committee

One recommendation of the Task Force on Governance is to establish an informal Engagement Committee to create interest, motivate and encourage qualified people and member associations to apply for volunteer senior posts in FIG.

FIG Council suggests establishing already now an informal Engagement Committee as described in the Council response, Key issue E, for a trial period from now and until 2025. Appointed in June 2021, the committee could assist in promoting the search for the next President and two Vice Presidents (to be elected in 2022) and to help search for new Commission Chairs for the following term (2027-2030) that should be elected in 2024 or 2025 (if following the suggestion of council to postpone the election of commission chairs elects by one year. This suggestion needs further investigation and may be brought to the General Assembly for a final decision after further consultation and discussion at the General Assembly in 2022).

In General Assembly session 1 FIG President Rudolf Staiger presented Council’s considerations in regard to an Engagement Committee as described in the Task Force report and again as part of the council response to the Task Force findings and recommendations.  

The aim of the engagement committee will be to:

The tasks of the engagement committee will be to:

Motion: That the General Assembly agrees that Council establishes an informal Engagement Committee for a trial period until 2025 resulting in an evaluation whether to continue this model.

Decision: The motion was adopted.


18. ELECTION OF TWO VICE PRESIDENTS FOR 2021-2024 - PRESENTATION OF CANDIDATES

This election was included in the General Assembly agenda 2020, but was postponed to 2021. FIG Council decided that the current council members would continue until the General Assembly 2021. This means that the elected candidates will take over their post immediately after the General Assembly.

The three candidates for the two open posts of FIG Vice President for the term 2021 to 2024:

presented themselves with a short video presentation and in session 2 the delegates had the possibility to ask questions to each of the candidates.

The elections took place online and started shortly after session 2 on 20 June. Each election round was open for 24 hours and followed the FIG Statutes and internal rules with one position at a time. Two voting rounds were needed.

Appendix to item 18: Profiles of the Candidates

Kwame Tenadu, Ghana Nomination form Video presentation
Mohammed Mamman Kabir, Nigeria Nomination form Video presentation
Mikael Lilje, Sweden Nomination form Video presentation

 

Motion: That the General Assembly notes the presentations of the candidates, makes its careful consideration for the online election and elects two Vice Presidents for the term 2021-2024.

 Decision: The General Assembly elected as follows:

With 54.8% of the votes in the first round no second round was needed and Mikael Lilje is elected Vice President for the term 2021-2024.

With 74.1 % Kwame Tenadu secured the second post for Vice President for the term 2021-2024.

FIG President Rudolf Staiger thanked all candidates and their organisations for their engagement and willingness to serve FIG and congratulated Mikael Lilje, Sweden, and Kwame Tenadu, Ghana for the election. A special and heartfelt thanks was directed to Mohammad Mamman Mansur Kabir, Nigeria, for his nomination and positive spirit, and Rudolf Staiger encouraged Mansur Kabir and the Nigerian Institution of Surveyors to remain active and engaged as active persons like Mansur Kabir is an invaluable asset for FIG in the future.  

In the closing ceremony Rudolf Staiger also thanked Orhan Ercan, Turkey, for being part of FIG Council from 2017-2020 and that he agreed to extend his term of office until after the General Assembly 2021. Orhan Ercan has been a an active and engaged Vice President who has connected several new members to FIG and has represented FIG at many occasions and in various countries and regions, while he was also serving as Co-Conference Director for FIG Congress 2018.

19. ELECTION OF COMMISSION CHAIRS ELECTS

According to the FIG Statutes and Internal Rules the General Assembly appoints Commission Chairs at its meeting two years prior to the Congress. In 2020 it was suggested to postpone this election to 2021. These Chairs Elects will then automatically become Chairs of the Commissions for the next term of office. Thus, the General Assembly shall appoint at this meeting Commission Chairs Elects for term of office 1.7.2021-31.12.2022. Under normal circumstances, the elected Chair Elect will be elected as the Chair of the Commission at the FIG Congress 2022 for the period 2023-2026.

Member associations have made the following nomination for the open posts during the nomination period:

Commission 1: Timothy W. Burch
Nomination form
Support letter
Video presentation
NSPS USA
Commission 2: Dimo Todorovski
Nomination form
video presentation
GIN Netherlands
Commission 3: Sagi Daylot
Nomination form
video presentation
ALSI Israel
Commission 4: Malavige Don Eranda Kanachana Gunathilaka
Nomination form
video presentation
SISL Sri Lanka
Commission 5: Ryan Keenan
Nomination form
Support Letter
video presentation
SSSI Australia
Commission 6: Werner Lienhart
Nomination form  
video presentation
OVG Austria
Commission 7: Rohan Bennett
Nomination form
Support letter:  SSSI   -    Kadaster
Presentation
SSSI/GIN Australia/Netherlands
Commission 8: Kwabena Asiama
Nomination form
Support letter
video presentation
GhIS Ghana
Commission 9: Peter Ache
Nomination form
Support letter
video presentation
DVW Germany
Commission 10A: Anil Sawhney
Nomination form
video presentation
RICS United Kingdom

All nominated chairs elects presented themselves in session 2, and the appointment/election for Chairs Elects took place between Sunday 20 June 17:00 and Thursday 23 June 9:00 CEST.

 Motion: That the General Assembly agree to appoint the chair elects to all 10 commissions. 

Decision: The motion was adopted.

20. DECISION ON THE VENUE FOR FIG WORKING WEEK 2025

The FIG Working Weeks are organised by FIG together with a local member association. FIG will together with the local member association have full responsibility of the arrangements and of the financial result. This offers FIG better opportunities in terms of organising events and generating revenue. Therefore, the Council has to ensure that all candidates are aware of the role of FIG and split of responsibilities for organising the Working Week. This General Assembly will decide on the host for the FIG Working Week 2025.

This General Assembly should have decided on the host for the FIG Working Week 2025. The current uncertain situation caused by the COVID19 pandemic in regard to travelling and organising bigger events brought the organisers of the FIG Congress 2022 from South Africa together with FIG Council to reconsider the travel and conference situation.  

Already in 2020, FIG Council had to decide on changes in the future destination. The current situation has made it necessary for FIG Council to make further decisions on changes. There might be even further needs for changes.  

Changes that have been decided by FIG Council are:

  1. FIG Working Week 2021 was changed to The Netherlands in stead of Accra, Ghana, and was furthermore changed to a fully virtual format
  2. FIG Working Week 2024 was allocated to Accra, Ghana (instead of 2021)
  3. Congress 2022 will be in Warsaw, Poland instead of Cape Town South Africa
  4. Working Week 2025 will be in Brisbane, Australia
  5. Congress 2026 will be in Cape Town, South Africa

Instead of election of the destination for 2025 that is now not applicable, FIG Council asked the General Assembly to give FIG Council extraordinary power to work on and find the best possible solutions for the destinations for the years to come.  

Appendix to item 20

Brisbane Australia: Bidding document Presentation video
Warsaw Poland: Bidding document Presentation video

Summary report on the bids for FIG Working Week 2025

Motion: That the General Assembly:

  • Notes the Council decision that FIG Working Week 2024 will take place in Accra, Ghana organised by the two member associations from Ghana in cooperation with other members from Ghana.
  • Notes the Council decision to further changes to future destinations
  • The current situation is creating the need for flexibility and possible changes on a short term in regard to the destinations of the up-coming FIG Conferences FIG Council is therefore asking the General Assembly for their support to give Council extraordinary power to find the best possible solutions for the destinations for the years to come.

Decision: The motion was adopted.

Voting sheet question: Do you agree to give council extraordinary power to work on and find the best possible solutions for the destinations for the years to come:

21. OTHER ISSUES

There were no other issues that the members wanted to raise for discussion.

Motion: That the discussion will be recorded and the Council will consider action that will be required.

Decision:

22. REPORT ON THE FIG CONGRESS 2022 IN CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA

At the closing ceremony, Peter Newmarch, representing the Local Organising Committee from South African Geomatics Institute (SAGI) said a few words on the change of destination for the Congress 2022, and the Polish Association of Surveyors, represented by President Janusz Walo, Krzysztof Bakula and Ludmila (Milka) Pietrzak received the FIG Flag through the screen as a symbol for their agreement to organise already within a year the FIG Congress 2022.

Motion: That the General Assembly records the report.

Decision: The motion was adopted.


23. FIG PRESIDENT'S MEETING (By invitation only)

The meeting took place on Friday 25 June 2021 right before the General Assembly sessions start. 55 delegates attended the meeting. 25 delegates expressed their views. FIG President Rudolf Staiger introduced the meeting with a short introduction that included reflections on the installation of an Engagement Committee, and three questions that he would like the member associations to reflect and comment on:  

  1. Reflections and feedback on the reduction of the membership fees for 2021 by 20% due to the current pandemic situation
    There was a generally positive response to this, especially from the smaller associations and all appreciated this gesture and found it helpful.  
  2. How did this e-Working Week work for you as a member association
    1.  What is “the format” of the future?
    2.  What was the most positive/most negative for you during the week
    Several mentioned the challenge with a virtual conference that it was attended in parallel with normal work. Travelling and being away from your normal work makes it easier to concentrate on the conference.
    On the other hand, others mentioned the unique opportunity to be able to attend. Associations that are normally not able to attend in person were present at the General Assembly, the Working Week and at the Presidents meeting.
    The online voting worked well. It seemed that no one had problems using the system and it was easy to use. Several mentioned a future hybrid format is a real challenge, and it is difficult to integrate onsite and online participants.
    Most delegates missed the physical attendance and “lack of human touch” and were looking forward to meeting in person again.
    There was agreement that the virtual conference worked well, one noted: “the best platform I have seen”
  3. Feedback on the changes on the next venues due to COVID19
    The general comment was that these decisions were well received.

24. CLOSING CEREMONY

FIG President Rudolf Staiger closed the General Assembly and e-Working Week 2021 after General Assembly session 4 on 25 June 2021. He thanked all FIG members and participants for their attendance throughout this different e-Working Week and at the General Assembly.  

In his closing address, the President gave a brief summary and impression of the e-Working Week, and thanked the local organisers from the Netherlands, the partners from GIN, University of Twente and Kadaster for their continuous support to make this different e-Working Week come true.  

Paula Dijkstra, on behalf of the local organisers, revealed a drawing created by Sophie Druif which includes a summary of some of the keynote sessions.  

President Rudolf Staiger together with the Co-Conference Directors Paula Dijkstra and Louise Friis-Hansen formally closed the 44th (and 43rd) General Assembly of FIG e-Working Week 2021 with the FIG Fanfare.  

 


Data supplied by the FIG Office. 

Whilst every effort has been made to ensure that this data is accurate errors might exist. Requests for updates and corrections should be emailed to the FIG Office.

   

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