Geospatial data has become increasingly crucial within the governmental framework of the UAE, serving as a key driver for realizing the nation's ambitious development vision. Our wise leadership has placed an importance on the collection and analysis of this data, recognising its growing significance in shaping strategic and data-driven decisions. This pertains particularly to areas such as sustainable urban development, infrastructure development, environmental management, national and food security, emergency response, and other vital fields.
In alignment with this focus, the Federal Geographic Information Centre (FGIC) was established under Federal Decree Law No. 5 of 2019 to oversee the management and organisation of geospatial information at the federal level in the UAE. This contributes to the strategic objectives of the "We the UAE 2031" vision, the "UAE Centennial 2071," and other national agendas, fostering the UAE's prosperity and its evolution into a knowledge-based, innovative, and globally leading economy over the coming decades. It also aims to build a brighter present and future for the people of the UAE while ensuring a better tomorrow for future generations.
Since its establishment, the FGIC and its strategic partners have achieved significant milestones, elevating the UAE's position in the geospatial information sector. These achievements underline local and global efforts to advance this crucial sector, aligning it with sustainable development goals and the welfare of society. The Centre continues to work toward its national objectives outlined in its 2023-2026 strategic plan, translating its vision into the establishment of an integrated and sustainable spatial data infrastructure that serves national strategies and decision-making processes.
In its new strategy, the FGIC emphasizes participation and collaboration among various stakeholders in the UAE, including data providers and users. The Centre aspires to elevate spatial information and services from the local to the federal level by 2026, establishing legislative and regulatory frameworks and federal procedures and policies to govern, manage, unify, disseminate, integrate, and protect spatial data. This involves leveraging the best global technologies and practices, guided by institutional values focused on excellence, creativity, cooperation, and partnership. This facilitates access to essential digital geographic information for government entities, institutions, and authorities.
The FGIC is steadfast in its commitment to promoting knowledge exchange and capitalising on expertise within the spatial data sector, both locally and internationally. The Centre actively seeks collaboration with the private sector and cooperation with various international organisations and other relevant regional and global bodies while increasingly harnessing AI applications. A comprehensive training plan for national staff in spatial data is in development, with the aim of raising awareness across society about the significance of spatial data and its benefits, particularly when it comes to natural resource utilisation, asset management, and addressing challenges.
Throughout its journey, the FGIC has launched a number of transformative projects, including the Union Atlas, offering a database of reliable geospatial and statistical information. This empowers government and private entities in vital sectors, facilitating operational improvements and future planning. Additionally, the National Geospatial Features Catalogue has been introduced, serving as a reference for sharing information and promoting the creation of a strategic data guide for the exchange of geographic information at the national level. These initiatives solidify the UAE's leading position role in geospatial data utilisation and development on a global level.