ISPRS Congress Approves Beijing Declaration

A Declaration approved by delegates at the ISPRS Congress calls on international communities to work together and commit adequate resources to promote the peaceful use of geospatial technology for the benefit of society and the environment. The document reaffirms the ISPRS commitment to realise the full potential of information from imagery through research and development, scientific networking, international co-operation, inter-disciplinary integration and education and training. It also sets out a number ways in which the ISPRS and international communities can work to this end.  

The Declaration was made by the General Assembly of ISPRS at its XXIst Congress held in Beijing, and was announced at a press conference on 11th July, attended by the former minister of Science and Technology of China, Xu Guanhua and some 30 members of the Chinese press.

 

The Declaration draws attention to the wide application of Earth observation technologies in fields such as socio-economic sustainable development; management of natural disasters, conservation of cultural heritage; sustainable use of water resources; and environment and health. During the past four years new forms of co-operation and knowledge-sharing have emerged, most notably the Group on Earth Observation (GEO) and its program to establish a Global Earth Observation System of Systems (GEOSS). These initiaties must be supported  and developed. The importance of geospatial data is also recognized by the International Council for Science (ICSU).

 

The Declaration affirms the importance of photogrammetry, remote sensing and spatial information sciences for sustainable development in the 21st century. It recognises the responsibility of non-governmental organisations to promote the peaceful use of space, airborne and terrestrial technology. It also highlights the importance of increasing public recognition of photogrammetry, remote sensing and the spatial information sciences and calls on international communities to work together to achieve these aims.

 

 

Download isprs-declaration-beijing.pdf
Download isprs-declaration-beijing.