FIG General Assembly

Minutes

42nd General Assembly
22 and 26 April 2019, Hanoi, Vietnam

Minutes for the meetings held on Monday 22 April 2019 in Banquet Hall and on Friday 26 April 2019 in Room 318  at National Convention Centre, NCC, Hanoi, Vietnam

Introduction

This online version of the minutes includes link to all appendices in .pdf.

In addition to this online version, the minutes (without appendix) are attached as a .pdf file.

To download only the minutes in .pdf please click here: 

Minutes as uploaded on the web site on 19 July (pdf, 24 pages)

TThe individual appendix files can be downloaded below under each item in pdf format.

PLEASE NOTE: FIG Office has sent a letter to all FIG members that informs about this online version of the minutes. The letter also includes the Annual Review 2018 and postcards with information abut the latest publications. The letter has been sent on 20 July, so if you have not received the letter by mid August please inform the office. The information about the minutes incl link has also been sent by email to all FIG members.

Conference Proceedings: http://fig.net/resources/proceedings/fig_proceedings/fig2019/index.htm
Working Week 2019 web site: http://www.fig.net/fig2019

List of Agenda Items

Monday, 22 April, 09:00-13:00 and 14:00-16:30
  1. OPENING PROCEEDINGS
  2. ROLL CALL
  3. APPOINTMENT OF TELLERS
  4. ADOPTION OF THE AGENDA
  5. ADOPTION OF THE MINUTES OF THE 41st GENERAL ASSEMBLY
  6. MEMBERSHIP
  7. PRESIDENT’S REPORT
  8. APPOINTMENT OF HONORARY PRESIDENT
  9. APPOINTMENT OF CHAIR FOR FIG COMMISSION 4, 2019-2022
  10. FIG COUNCIL WORK PLAN 2019-2022
  11. REPORT OF THE PRESIDENT OF THE FIG FOUNDATION 2018-19 AND WORK PLAN 2019-2020
  12. TASK FORCE ON FIG AND THE SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS
  13. TASK FORCE ON FIG GOVERNANCE
  14. FIG NETWORKS - REPORT FROM 2018-19 AND PLAN FOR THE TERM 2019-2022
  15. FIG COMMISSION WORK PLANS 2019-2022K
  16. FIG PERMANENT INSTITUTIONS - REPORT 2018-19 AND WORK PLAN 2019-2022
  17. FIG ACCOUNTS FOR 2018 AUDITOR'S REPORT AND BUDGETS 2019-2022
  18. SIBSCRIPTION RATES FOR 2021
  19. NEW FIG PUBLICATIONS
  20. CO-OPERATION WITH THE UNITED NATIONS AND THE WORLD BANK
  21. LIAISON WITH INTERNATIONAL PROFESSIONAL ORGANISATION
  22. DECISION ON THE VENUE FOR FIG WORKING WEEK 2023 - PRESENTATION OF CANDIDATES
    Thursday 25 April 2019, 16:00-18:00
  23. FIG PRESIDENTS MEETING
    24. (BY INVITATION ONLY)
    Friday, 26 April, 9:00-12:30
  24. ROLL CALL
  25. MEMBERSHIP MATTERS
  26. DECISION ON THE VENUE FOR FIG WORKING WEEK 2023
  27. REPORTS FROM ASSOCIATION, AFFILIATE, ACADEMIC, CORPRATE, MEMBERS FORUM AND OTHER (IF ANY)
  28. REPORTS FROM COMMISSIONS
  29. REPORTS FROM NETWORKS, TASK FORCES, PERMANENT INSTITUTIONS, FIG FOUNDATION AND OTHER WORKING WEEK ACTIVITES (IF ANY)
  30. OTHER ISSUES
  31. REPORT ON THE FIG CONGRESS 2022 IN CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICE
  32. RREPORT ON THE FIG WORKING WEEK 2021 IKN ACCRA, GHANA
  33. REPORT ON THE FIG WORKING WEEK 2020 IN AMSTERDAM, THE NETHERLANDS
  34. OORESENTATION OF CERTIFICATES OF APPRECIATION AND CLOSING CEREMONY

Monday 22 April 2019

GENERAL ASSEMBLY 1ST SESSION

Monday 22 April, 09:00-13:00 and 14:00-16:30
Banquett Halle, National Convention Centre
Hanoi, Vietnam

1.. OPENING PROCEEDINGS

President Rudolf Staiger opened the 42nd General Assembly welcoming all delegates to Hanoi, Vietnam and to this first General Assembly of his term of presidency. The President expressed his gratitude to members and delegates for their participation. He acknowledged the hard and successful work of the local organisers from Vietnam Association of Geodesy, Cartography and Remote Sensing (VGCR) and the FIG office.

The President welcomed the immediate past president, Chryssy Potsiou and noted several greetings and apologies that were received from member associations and other members.

The President noted that again this year there had been visa issues especially with Nigerian participants despite the very big work done by VGCR. He explained that FIG and a local association can assist the visa process, but they cannot affect the final decisions of the embassies.

2. ROLL CALL

FIG Director Louise Friis-Hansen took the roll call. The roll call was done for member associations only. A list of member associations that were not allowed to vote was published and posted on the FIG Web site on 15 April. Some associations have after this date settled their arrears.

The Nigerian member associations NIS and NIQS and the affiliate member SURCON were present at the General Assembly but asked to be listed not-present in the roll call due to their dissatisfaction with the visa process.

58 member associations out of 105 were officially present at this session which is more than one third of the membership needed for the General Assembly to be constitutionally valid.

Appendix to items 2 & 24: Roll call including information on attendees, the number of votings per member associations and members not allowed to vote at the General Assembly because of unpaid membership fees for 2018 and earlier.

Motion: That members present are recorded in the minutes.

Decision: The motion was adopted.

3. APPOINTMENT OF TELLERS

The General Assembly shall appoint two persons as tellers for the entire General Assembly.  The tellers will represent the member associations hosting the current and the following General Assembly  

  • Mr Hoang Kim Quang, Vietnam Association of Geodesy - Cartography - Remote Sensing, Vietnam VCGR
  • Mr Roelof Keppel, Geo-Information Netherlands - GIN

Motion: That the General Assembly appoints Mr Hoang Kim Quang from Vietnam Association of Geodesy - Cartography - Remote Sensing, Vietnam and Mr Roelof Keppel, Geo-Information Netherlands as tellers for this General Assembly.

Decision:

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 also published on the web site and sent by email to all members.

Motion: That the agenda be adopted.

Decision: the motion was adopted.

5. ADOPTION OF THE MINUTES OF THE 41st GENERAL ASSEMBLY

The minutes have been circulated previously.

Appendix to item 5: Minutes of the General Assembly in Istanbul, Turkey May 2018, without appendices.

Motion: That the minutes be adopted as recorded.

Decision: The motion was adopted.

6. MEMBERSHIP

6.1 Admittance of new Member Associations

FIG has received one application for membership since the agenda was distributed and since the 401st General Assembly. This application was discussed at the FIG Council meeting on 20 April and council decided to bring this application forward to the General Assembly.

MA10135-American Association for Geodetic Surveying

American Association for Geodetic Surveying, US has applied for association membership. The association was established in 1981. Their total membership is 100 members + student memberships. American Association for Geodetic Surveying, US fulfils the criteria of FIG Member Association.

Appendix to item 6.1:

Motion: That the General Assembly admits American Association for Geodetic Surveying, US to become a member of FIG.

Decision: The motion was adopted

6.2 Other Member Association Issues

No other member association issues since the General Assembly in Istanbul May 2018 to report.;

Motion: That the General Assembly notes the update.

Decision: The motion was adopted

6.3 Expulsion of member associations

Subscriptions of following member associations are more than three years in arrears:  

  • Colegio de Ingenieros Topógrafos de Costa Rica, MA-10019
  • Union of Surveying Engineers of Serbia, MA-10072 
  • Cyprus Association of Property, MA-10111
  •  Distinctive Engineering Group, Rwanda, MA-10125

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 in Hanoi.  

After acceptance of new member associations and before expulsions the number of FIG member associations is 106 from 91 countries.

Motion: That the General Assembly expels:

  • Colegio de Ingenieros Topógrafos de Costa Rica, MA-10019
  • Union of Surveying Engineers of Serbia, MA-10072 
  • Cyprus Association of Property, MA-10111
  •  Distinctive Engineering Group, Rwanda, MA-10125

If no payment has been received before the General Assembly takes place.

Decision: The motion was adopted.
Between the two General Assemblies in Hanoi, FIG office received payment from Association des Géomètres et Topographes du Burkina (AGT-B), Burkina Faso, MA- 10014, and they were therefore reinstalled during the 2nd session of the General Assembly

6.4 Suspended status 2019

In accordance with its administrative measures, FIG Council, has deferred to continue for 2019 the issuance of a membership subscription invoice to the following members and FIG Council deem their membership to be in suspension:

  • the Order of Syrian Engineers and Architects, OSEA as all efforts to maintain contact with them has not yielded results and will deem their membership in suspension giving due consideration to its internal situation.
  •  Licensed Surveyors Association in Palestine

Public Union, Ukrainian Society for Geodesy and Cartography, MA-10088 has paid their membership fee and has now returned to normal membership status.

The situation with these associations will be reconsidered by Council again in 2020.

Motion: That the General Assembly notes the members with suspension status.

Decision: The motion was adopted.

6.5 Other membership issues

6.5.1 Affiliate members

There have been there applications for affiliate membership since the General Assembly 2017.

  • National Survey Authority of Oman, AF-20067
  • Department of Lands & Surveys, Anguilla, Government of Anguilla,  - AF-20068

  • State Committee on Property Issues of the Republic of Azerbaijan – AF-20069

The council has expelled the following affiliate members because of unpaid membership subscriptions:

  • Office of the Surveyor General, Namibia, AF-20013
  •  General Direction of Land Registry, mapping and Cadastre, Benin, AF-20055
  • Scientific-Production Center of Land Cadastre, Kazakhstan, AF-20061

General Commission for Survey (GCS), General Directorate of Geodesy and Land Survey (GLS), Saudi Arabia (AF-20050) has resigned, because in 2018 they were approved as member association by the General Assembly.

After these changes the number of Affiliate members is 44 from 40 countries.  

6.5.2 Corporate members

FIG Council has admitted the following Corporate Member:

  • GeoPlus, Canada – CM-30071 in the Category E - Basic level
  • SuperMap, China - CM-30072 in the Category B - Gold level 

  • Dynamic_Vision_Afghanistan in the Category D – Bronze level

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

  • Innovation for Trading and Contracting, Egypt, CM-30058
  • DataLife Environmental Services, Nigeria CM-30059

After these changes the number of corporate members is now 27.

NEH Vietnam CM-30056 – paid their membership fees during the Working Week as was reinstalled as corporate member.

6.5.3 Academic members

FIG Council has admitted one application to become Academic member since the General Assembly 2018:

  • British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT), Canada - AC-40151

The council has expelled the following three Academic Members due to lack of payment:

  • Kaduna Polytechnic University, Nigeria, AC-40137
  • Federal University of Technology, Nigeria AC-40139
  • Tafe NSW - Riverina Institute, Australia  AC-40148

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 83 from 50 countries.

Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Ghana, AC-40136 paid their membership fee and were reinstalled as academic member.

6.5.4 Correspondents

The number of correspondent members is still 4.

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

Decision: The motion was adopted.

7. PRESIDENT’S REPORT

President Rudolf Staiger has prepared the President’s report on the activities of the Federation since the General Assembly in Istanbul, Turkey, may 2018.

Appendix to item 7:

  • President’s report - hand-outs of the presentation

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

Decision: The motion was adopted.

8. APPOINTMENT OF HONORARY PRESIDENT

The Technical Chamber of Greece has sent FIG Council a proposal that it makes a nomination to the General Assembly of appointing Prof. Chryssy Potsiou, the immediate Past President of FIG as an Honorary President of the Federation. The letter is attached as appendix to agenda item 8. FIG Council has decided to bring forward this proposal to the General Assembly, noting that Chryssy Potsiou fulfills the criteria for an Honorary President and her achievements as the President have contributed the Federation to extend that she deserves to be appointed as a FIG Honorary President

Appendix to item 8:

Motion: That the General Assembly appoints Chryssy Potsiou as FIG Honorary President.

Decision: The The motion was adopted. FIG President Rudolf Staiger presented a FIG Certificate and the special FIG Gold Pin to Chryssy Potsiou, and thanked her for her steady work over many years, since 1983, but especially during the past four years 2015-2018 as President of FIG.

9. APPOINTMENT OF CHAIR FOR FIG COMMISSION 4, 2019-2022

In 2018 at the General Assembly, the Chairs for the commissions 1, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10 were elected and the Chair of commission 2 appointed. At the time of the General Assembly 2018, there were no candidates for the position of chair for FIG Commission 4. The General Assembly decided that Council in consultation with the commission would find a suitable candidate during the months following the General Assembly. FIG Council has appointed Prof. Dr. Mahmud Mohd Razali, Malaysia.

Appendix to item 9.1: The nomination from PEJUTA, Malaysia

Motion: That the General Assembly records the appointment of Prof. Dr. Mahmud Mohd Razali, Malaysia as Chair of FIG Commission 4 for the term 2019-2022.

Decision: The motion was adopted.

10. FIG COUNCIL WORK PLAN 2019-2022

The Council has prepared the FIG Council Work Plan for 2019-2022. Together with the Commission Work Plans the Council Work Plan will form the FIG Work Plan for the next four years. The proposal for the Council Work Plan 2019-2022 is attached to the minutes and is based on preparations made in one Council seminar in September 2018, ACCO meeting and Council meeting in January 2019. The Council Work Plan has been coordinated with the Commissions', Networks', Task Forces’ and Permanent Institutions’ Work Plans.

President Staiger will present the Work Plan at the meeting.   The Council has also decided on responsibilities of individual Council members. This list is included as an appendix to the Council Work Plan. An up-to-date list will always be available on the FIG web site.  

Appendix to item 10:

Motion: That the General Assembly adopts the Council Work Plan for 2019-2022.

Decision: The motion was adopted.

11. REPORT OF THE PRESIDENT OF THE FIG FOUNDATION 2018-19 AND WORK PLAN 2019-2020

Mr. John Hohol, President of the FIG Foundation has prepared a report on the FIG Foundation activities from MAY 2018 to March 2019. He made a brief report orally at the General Assembly. Mr John Hohol also gave a short report on the planned activities for 2019-20.

Appendix 11:

Motion: That the General Assembly:

  •  adopts the 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;
  •  adopts the plan for the term 2019-2020

Decision: The motion was adopted.

12. TASK FORCE ON FIG AND THE SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS

The Council has established two new 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 a session in the technical programme at the Working Week. Members of the Task Force will be appointed by the Council and brought to the General Assembly for endorsement.

Appendix to item 12:  Hand-outs of presentation

Motion: That the General Assembly records the Council’s decision of establishment of the Task Force on FIG and the Sustainable Development Goals, appointment of Ms. Paula Dijkstra to chair the Task Force and its terms of reference for information.

Decision: The motion was adopted.

13. TASK FORCE ON FIG GOVERNANCE

This second Task Force will be an internal Task Force focusing on an evaluation and proposal of potential changes of the current FIG Governance. This Task Force is chaired by Vice President Diane Dumashie from United Kingdom. Its work will be based on the results from the previous Task Force on Commission Structure. At the General Assembly in 2018 an outline of terms of reference based on the results from the Task Force on Commission Structure were presented by Vice President Mikael Lilje, and the General Assembly 2018 decided to leave the decision how to take this work onwards to the new council. This Task Force will in contradiction to the former Task Force not only focus on the structure of the commissions. It will furthermore investigate the entire structure of the federation. The Task Force will have its first meeting in Hanoi where members of the Task Force will be appointed by the Council and brought to the General Assembly for endorsement.

Appendix to item 13: Hand-outs of presentation

Motion: Force on FIG Governance, appointment of Vice President Dr. Diane Dumashie to chair the Task Force and its terms of reference for information.

Decision: The motion was adopted.

14. FIG NETWORKS - REPORT FROM 2018-19 AND PLAN FOR THE TERM 2019-2022

14.1 Young Surveyors Network

FIG Young Surveyors Network is for the term 2019-2020 chaired by Ms. Melissa Harrington, New Zealand. She gave a status report on the activities of Young Surveyors Network and presented the Work Plan for the Young Surveyors Network.

Appendix to item 14.1: Hand-outs of presentation of report 2018-19 and work Plan 2019-2020

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

Decision: The motion was adopted

14.2 Standards Network

The chair of the Standards Network David Martin was not able to attend, and therefore the report to the General Assembly of the activities 2018-19 and the Work Plan 2019-2022 was included in the report under item 16.1. 

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

Decision: The motion was adopted under item 16.1

14.3 FIG Regional Capacity Development Networks

The chairs of the two networks gave a report on the status of the networks and the Work Plans for the term 2019-2022:

  •  Africa Network (Jennifer Whittal)
  • Asia/Pacific Network (Rob Sarib)  

Appendix to item 14.3 –

Motion: That the General Assembly records the report from the networks and records its thanks to the Chair of the Task Force and its members.
 Decision: The motion was adopted

15. FIG COMMISSION WORK PLANS 2019-2022

The Commission Chairs have prepared their Commission Work Plan for 2019-2022 based on discussions at their Commission meetings at the FIG Congress in Istanbul. After Istanbul the Work Plans have been coordinated with the Council Work Plan and with other Commission Work Plans at the meeting of Commission chairs and the FIG Council in January 2019.

All Commission Work Plans have now been finalised and synchronised with the Council Work Plan and were presented for the General Assembly for its approval in Hanoi in April 2019.

At the General Assembly 2 hours were reserved for the members to discuss the Work Plans and Commission activities with the Commission Chairs chaired by FIG Vice President Orhan Ercan

Appendix to item 15: Commission reports:

Hand-outs of presentations: Commission 1, 2, 7, 8, 9
Hand-outs of presentations: Commisison 3, 4, 5, 6, 10

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. Several delegates raised relevant issues, and the commission chairs noted the comments and questions for their further work. Vice President Orhan Ercan thanked for the engagement and participation and encouraged the delegates to participate in the commission meetings during the Working Week for more elaborate discussions.

16. FIG PERMANENT INSTITUTIONS - REPORT 2018-19 AND WORK PLAN 2019-2022

16.1   1.1.   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 since the General Assembly in Istanbul and the Work Plan for the coming term 2019-2022 for OICRF. He will make a short report to the General Assembly.

Appendix to item 16.1:

Report from the International Office of Cadastre and Land Records (Office International du Cadastre et du Régime Foncier) OICRF and plan for the coming term 2019-2022.
Hand-outs of presentation

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.

16.2 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 activities since the General Assembly in Istanbul, and the Work Plan for the coming term. Mr John Brock presented a short oral report to the General Assembly.

Appendix to item 16.2: Report from the International Institution for the History of Surveying and Measurement, Permanent Institution of FIG and plan for the coming term 2019-2022.  

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.

17. FIG ACCOUNTS FOR 2018, AUDITOR’S REPORT AND BUDGETS 2019-2022

FIG President Rudolf Staiger (in his former role as Vice President responsible for the finances) presented the report to the General Assembly. This report includes the auditor’s report from 2018, official accounts (income statement 2018) and balance sheet 31 December 2018, a summary of 2018 accounts, an updated budget for 2019 and proposals for budgets 2020-2022 and proposal for membership fees for member associations in 2021.

Appendix to item 17:

Report on Financial Issues (including 2018 accounts and budgets 2019-2022) (to be added)

Annexes:

Motion: That the General Assembly

  • adopts the audited accounts for 2018,
  • adopts the Finance Report, and
  • adopts budgets for 2019–2022

Decision: The motion was adopted.

18. SUBSCRIPTION RATES FOR 2021

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. The membership fee structure was changed in 2009. Membership fees have been discussed as part of the finance report, appendix to item 17.

The 2018 General Assembly approved membership fees for 2020 as follows:

  Per capita fee Minimum fee Maximum fee
2019 € 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 the General Assembly agreed to keep the level from 2019 for the 2020 subscriptions, and Council suggest keeping this same rate for 2021.

Motion: That the General Assembly adopts following membership fees payable by member associations in 2021:

  Per capita fee Minimum fee Maximum fee
2020

€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 per 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.

19. NEW FIG PUBLICATIONS

Three new publications will be presented at the FIG Working Week 2019.

Publication 72:
Best Practices 3D Cadastres 		Publication 73:
New Trends in Geospatial Information: The Land Surveyors Role in the Era of Crowdsourcing and VGI 		Publication 74:
Cost Effective Precise Positioning with GNSS

 Motion: That the General Assembly records the publications for information and records its thanks to editors and authors of these publications.

Decision: The motion was adopted.

20. CO-OPERATION WITH THE UNITED NATIONS AND THE WORLD BANK

Since the 41st General Assembly, 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.
At FIG Congress three special sessions, one of them being the FIG Academic Forum, were organised. The other two sessions covered a special session on Land Consolidation and a session on VGGT
At the FIG Working Week 2019 there will be three sessions and one Master Class in cooperation with FAO: FFIG Academic Forum, a session on Technology Contribution to Improve Tenure Governance, session on Strengthening Democratic Spaces to Balance Societal Priorities in Spatial Planning and a Master Class: Learning Session on the Use of Technology.

Participation to Global Land Tool Network GLTN:

  • Lead of Global Land Tool Network Professional Cluster 2016-18,
  • Participation in the GLTN International Advisory Board
  • STDM workshop in cooperation with FIG Young Surveyors
  • Participation in the Partners Meeting
  • Co-chair of the Land Tool Network Professional Cluster 2019-2020 together with Arab Union
  • Participation in the GLTN Steering Committee
  • Special sessions in the Working Week technical programme

UN-Habitat/GLTN-Young Surveyors Volunteer Community Surveyor Programme VCSP.
VCSP is an innovative volunteer program that is a powerful driver for both social impact and professional development. The VCSP leverages on the skills, experience, talents and education of young surveyors, matches this competence with the needs of GLTN, particularly in GLTN’s county level implementation plans and programs. 13 Young Surveyors from Senegal, Nigeria, Nepal, New Zealand Uganda, England, Namibia, Australia and Zimbabwe have successfully been working on GLTN Projects for 2-4 weeks in DR Congo, Kenya, Nepal, Uganda, Philippines and Zambia.

Participation to the work of UN-GGIM

  • UN-GGIM-Geospatial Societies – Member (Previously Joint Board of Spatial Information Societies JB-GIS)
  • Expert Group on Land Administration
  • Associate member of Sub-committee on Geodesy
  • Participation at the Eights Session of the United Nations Committee of Experts on Global Geospatial Information Management in New York, USA, August 2018
  • Participation at UNGGIM WGIC – Inaugurate World Geospatial Congress in Dequing, China

Participation to the work of the International Committee on Global Navigation Satellite Systems (ICG)
Participation to UN-OOSA, Co-chairing WG-D
Cooperation on Reference Frame in Practice Seminar, Pre-event at FIG Working Week 2019

Participation at the World Bank Conference in March 2019.
World Bank and FIG have organised two special sessions at the FIG Working Week 2019.

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.

21. LIAISON WITH INTERNATIONAL PROFESSIONAL ORGANISATIONS

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 2018 was held in August 2018. Some of the Geospatial Societies also met in Dequing, China at the UN-GGIM WGIC.

 FIG has collaborative MoUs with a number of the organizations who are part of the Geospatial Societies

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

In November 2018 FIG held its 140 anniversary and Hand Over event in conjunction with TUFE – a High-Level International Conference organised by the Technical Chamber of Greece in cooperation with the International Federation of Surveyors, the Working Party for Land Administration of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe, the International Union of Architects (Greek Section) and the European Council of Civil Engineers. At this conference a cooperation agreement between FIG, The Union of Architects and the Council of Civil Engineers were signed.Report: http://fig.net/news/news_2018/11_cooperation_FIG_UIA_ECCE.asp

FIG is represented in the International Construction Measurement Standard Coalition by Chair of FIG Commission 10, See Lian Ong who has been appointed chair of the Standard Setting Committee. FIG is represented in the 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 2019 there were various activities around the world celebrating Global Surveyors day on 21 March 2019

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

Decision: The motion was adopted.

22. DECISION ON THE VENUE FOR FIG WORKING WEEK 2023 - PRESENTATION OF CANDIDATE

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 2023 Working Week.

The FIG Council has received only one bid to host the FIG Working Week 2023, and FIG Council thanks NSPS for their special engagement and contribution to FIG.

The Council has discussed the incoming bid, and has evaluated it based on the considerations, as laid out in the invitation documentation:

  • Rotation of the conferences (region);
  • Country (hosting of earlier FIG events, experience);
  • Member association (its activeness, commitment to FIG and the Working Week, execution ability for local association);
  • Supporting organisations (local support to the Working Week, governmental support, financial support, general support);
  • Host city (characteristics and interest from congress programme point of view, host city attractiveness, host city offerings);
  • Venue (price/affordability, location of venue, internet availability suitability of rooms, size of venue, structure and layout of the venue, catering, value for money, hotels nearby facilities for exhibition);
  • Accessibility (flight connections, several access possibilities, security, visa issues, air fare to destination);
  • Safety and security (political stability, airport safety, city safety, political stability in the country - rating must be 3 or higher);
  • Proposed dates (must meet FIG requirements, Following FIG statutes, practical dates, availability of venue, other conferences at the same time)
  • Technical programme (coverage of all FIG Commissions, potential partners, originality, special ideas);
  • Technical tours (coverage of all FIG Commissions, originality, ideas proposed);
  • Social programme (attractiveness and variety, proposals for dinners, attractiveness of offered dinners, proposals for tours, is the programme following the overall FIG concept);
  • Attendance (expectation of international, regional and local attendance, realistic number of international and national participants);
  • Finances (estimate of surplus and financial risks, realistic fees proposed, fees in an acceptable price range, difference between international and national fees, realistic budget, estimated revenue);
  • Sponsorship (estimate sponsorship and exhibition income, proposed income, how realistic is proposed income, local sponsor offerings, sponsor interest to conference);
  • Why host (reason for hosting);
  • Objectives and outcomes (thought through why conference should be held at destination, difference to other destinations, short term outcome, long term outcome);
  • Suggested theme (thought of possible theme that fits to local/regional situation);
  • Events organised in the past three years (how experienced is the host in organising events)
  • Major events planned in the proposed city (many events might affect the price level):
  • Initiatives for sustainable conference environment (is host city, venue and local host paying attention to environmental issues);
  • New initiatives or activities (originality – but within the overall FIG concept)
  • What legacy to leave locally from the Working Week (with host, hosting city, for the surveying community)

The Council has made the conclusion that NSPS is well prepared and able to host the Working Week in the proposed city, Orlando, Florida, USA, organised by National Society of Professional Surveyors (NSPS)

The General Assembly is recommended to read the bid carefully.

At the session the candidate gave a 15 min. presentation of its proposal and framework of the Working Week and its bid.

Appendix to item 22 and 26

Since only one bid has been submitted and it fulfils the criteria, FIG proposed to General Assembly to adopt the bid. This will be done at the second General Assembly on 26 April. In case one or more members prefer a blind vote they were asked to inform Council either prior the General Assembly to Director Louise Friis-Hansen, [email protected] or during the Working Week to the President or Director of FIG and the latest on 26 April before the start of the General Assembly at 9:00. 

Motion: That the General Assembly notes the submission and the presentation, makes its careful consideration and decision during the second session of the General Assembly on 26 April.

Decision: The motion was adopted.

The first session of the 42nd General Assembly was finalised at 16:15.

THURSDAY 25 APRIL 2019

16:00 - 18:00

Trimble Room (210bc), NCC, Hanoi Vietnam

Presidents’ Meeting (by invitation only)

 

23. PRESIDENTS MEETING

A total of 57 delegates attended this President’s Meeting. This years meeting was organised differently from previous years. At the beginning of the meeting Jean-Yves Pirlot presented some of the discussion points that were included in the FIG Member Association, Regional Bodies and Regional Networks Forum. FIG President Rudolf Staiger thanked Jean-Yves Pirlot and the participants of the Forum.
 
There was general agreement that the structure with the Forum and the Presidents Meeting is good. There was also agreement to the change of time of the Presidents Meeting from the morning of the second General Assembly to the last afternoon of the technical programme.
 

Friday 26 APRIL 2019

Friday, 26 April, 09:00-12:30
Room 318 ,
National Convention Centre, Hanoi, Vietnam

 

24. ROLL CALL

FIG Director Louise Friis-Hansen took the roll call. The roll call was done for member associations only.

A list of member associations that were not allowed to vote was published and posted on the FIG web site 15 April 2019. Some associations have after this date settled their arrears.

At the second session of the General Assembly 57 out of 103 members were present. The Nigerian Member Associations NIS and NIQS as well as the affiliate member SURCON were present at the General Assembly but expressed again the wish to be recorded as not present in the minutes expressing their dissatisfaction with the way the visa procedure has been handled.

Appendix to items 2 & 24: Roll Call including information on member associations that were recorded present and member associations that were not allowed to vote at the General Assembly because of unpaid membership fees for 2018 and earlier.

Motion: Those members present are recorded in the minutes.

Decision:

25. MEMBERSHIP MATTERS

During the Working Week the Association des Géomètres et Topographes du Burkina (AGT-B), Burkina Faso, MA- 10014 that in the first General Assembly was expelled has paid.

This member association will therefore be reinstalled as member of FIG.
The number of members is hereafter 102.

FIG Office has received a new member application for affiliate membership from Cadastre of DR Congo. The application has been approved by Council.

The Corporate member NEH Vietnam (CM-30056) was expelled at the first General Assembly. They have now paid their membership fee and is therefore reinstalled.

Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Ghana, AC-40136 was expelled at the first General Assembly. They have now paid their membership fee and is therefore reinstalled.

Motion: That the General Assembly decides on the membership issues based on the proposal of the Council. 

Decision: The motion was adopted.

26.  DECISION ON THE VENUE FOR FIG WORKING WEEK 2023

The candidate for FIG Working Week 2023 has made its presentations in the first session of the General Assembly. The candidate is: Orlando, Florida, USA, National Society of Professional Surveyors (NSPS)

Since only one bid has been submitted and it fulfils the criteria, FIG proposed to General Assembly to adopt the bid. This will be done at the second General Assembly on 26 April. At the first General Assembly the President asked the delegates in case one or more members prefer a blind vote they were asked to inform Council either prior the General Assembly to Director Louise Friis-Hansen [email protected] or during the Working Week to the President or Director of FIG and the latest on 26 April before the start of the General Assembly at 9:00.  

On 26 April at 9:00 FIG President or Director had not received any inquiries. The president decided to not carry through a blind vote but to ask for an oral agreement from the delegates.

Motion: That the General Assembly decides the host and venue for FIG Working Week 2023.

Decision: The motion was adopted, and the local organisers from US tanked for the election.

27. REPORTS FROM ASSOCIATION, AFFILIATE, ACADEMIC, CORPORATE MEMBERS FORUM AND OTHER (IF ANY)

During the Working Week there has been Member Association/Regional Bodies/Regional Networks Forum, the Director General’s/Affiliate Members Forum, Academic Members Forum, Regional Bodies Forum and Corporate Members Meeting. They may report back to the General Assembly on any issues that may need the endorsement of or are of general interest to the General Assembly.

Hand outs from:

Motion: That the General Assembly records the report(s)

Decision: The motion was adopted.

28. REPORTS FROM COMMISSIONS

During the Working Week there has been Member Association/Regional Bodies/Regional Networks Forum, the Director General’s/Affiliate Members Forum, Academic Members Forum, Regional Bodies Forum and Corporate Members Meeting. They may report back to the General Assembly on any issues that may need the endorsement of or are of general interest to the General Assembly.

Hand outs from the presentation presented by Winnie Shiu, ACCO Representative to Council 2019-2020.

Again in 2019 the Commisison 5/NavXperience Award was given to a selected Commission 5 paper. The prize winner was:
Allison Kealey et al: A Benchmarking Measurement Campaign in GNSS-denied/Challenged Indoor/Outdoor and Transitional Environments

Motion: That the General Assembly records the report.

  Decision: The motion was adopted.

29. REPORTS FROM NETWORKS, TASK FORCES, PERMANENT INSTITUTIONS, FIG FOUNDATION AND OTHER WORKING WEEK ACTIVITIES (IF ANY)

Networks, Task Forces, Permanent Institutions, FIG Foundation and others had their meetings and technical sessions in Hanoi. They may report back to the General Assembly on any issues that may need the endorsement of or are of general interest to the General Assembly. Any other activities from the Working Week may be reported back to the General Assembly on any issues that may need the endorsement of or are of general interest to the General Assembly.

Africa Regional Network (Ms Jennifer Whittal)
Asia/Pacific Regional Network (Mr Rob Sarib)
Young Surveyors Network (Ms Melissa Harrington)
Task Force on FIG and the Sustainable Development Goals (Ms Paula Dijkstra)
FIG Foundation (Mr John Hohol)
Russian Speaking Sessions (Mr Fedor Shkurov)

Motion: That the General Assembly records the report(s).

Decision: The motion was adopted.

30/. OTHER ISSUES

Any other issues that the members want to raise for discussion.

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

Decision: There were no further issues.

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

Representatives from the Local Organising Committee from the Local Organising Committee from South African Geomatics Institute (SAGI) gave a presentation on preparations of FIG Congress 2022.

Presentation hand outs

Motion: That the General Assembly records the report.

Decision:

32. REPORT ON THE FIG WORKING WEEK 2021 IN ACCRA, GHANA

Representatives from the Local Organising Committee from Licensed Surveyors Association of Ghana and Ghana Institution of Surveyors will give a presentation on preparations of FIG Working Week 2021.

Motion: That the General Assembly records the report.

Decision:: The motion was adopted.

33.. REPORT ON THE FIG WORKING WEEK 2020 IN AMSTERDAM, THE NETHERLANDS

Representatives from the Local Organising Committee from Geo-Information Netherlands, GIN gave a presentation on preparations of FIG Working Week 2020.

Presentation hand outs

Motion: That the General Assembly records the report.

Decision:: The motion was adopted.

34.. PRESENTATION OF CERTIFICATES OF APPRECIATION AND CLOSING CEREMONY

FIG President Rudolf Staiger thanked all FIG members and participants for their attendance throughout the Working Week and at the General Assembly.

President Staiger presented at the closing ceremony certificates of appreciation to the members of the local organising committee of the XLII FIG General Assembly and the FIG Working Week. Special thanks were recorded to the local host, VGCR and especially Mr. Hoang Kim Quang, Secretary of LOC, Dr. Prof. Dang Hung Vo, Senior Advisor of LOC, Dr. Phan Duc Hieu, Deputy Head of LOC, Dr. Tran Bach Giang, Deputy Head of LOC, President of VCGR, Dr. Prof. Vo Chi My, Deputy Head of LOC and finally Mr. Trinh Anh Co, Head of LOC and Co-Conference Director. Hereto a large thanks to the company DHA led by Ms. Nguyen Hong Hanh for the organisation of the conference, and finally to the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, MONRE.

President Rudolf Staiger presented his closing address that summarises the findings and the main outcomes of the FIG Working Week 2019. The President formally closed the 42nd  General Assembly of FIG Working Week 2019 with the FIG Fanfare.

Closing address handouts

Data supplied by the FIG Office. 

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