BRICS Geospatial Information Working Group: Objectives, Activities, and Challenges

The Geospatial Information and Applications Working Group is considered one of the least active cooperation mechanisms within the BRICS framework. To date, only three official meetings have been held—two in India (2016 and 2017) and one in Russia (2024). India currently serves as the coordinating country of this working group.

Key Areas of Focus

During the limited number of meetings, discussions have primarily focused on online data sharing mechanisms, particularly for disaster prediction, early warning systems, and risk reduction related to natural hazards such as tsunamis. Draft proposals for organizing specialized events and technical webinars have also been reviewed and approved.

Approved Actions and Work Programs

• Collection of geospatial data and provision of related electronic services
• Assessment of legal and institutional aspects of developing national spatial data infrastructures
• Technical processing and integration of geospatial datasets
• Application of innovative solutions in cartography and spatial visualization

Challenges and the Need for Strengthening Cooperation

Despite the significant potential of geospatial information technologies in disaster management, urban planning, environmental monitoring, and sustainable development, the working group remains at an early stage of institutional development. Enhancing coordination among member states and establishing a stable framework for data sharing could substantially increase the effectiveness and practical impact of this cooperation mechanism.