May 22, 2015 -- Integration of statistical and geospatial data is key to delivering a public information infrastructure that supports evidence-based decision making, experts have heard.

At their first joint meeting, representatives from UN-GGIM: Europe and the European Statistical System (ESS) set out a committment to using geospatial information to link and match together data from multiple sources. This integration will not only meet user demands for statistical information with higher geographical detail but will also significantly speed up its delivery.

Marcel Jortay, Eurostat Director of Sectorial and Regional Statistics said: “Geospatial information and geocoding is one way of linking information together. If all public administrative and statistical administration is geocoded to the same spatial reference framework, flexible production of various spatial statistics will be much easier.”

He added: “Location is a neutral concept and an easy way to integrate data from different sources. The integration process should help our users to answer the ‘where?’ in addition to the ‘what? and ‘when?’ which have traditionally been the focus of official statistics.”

Bengt Kjellson, Chair of the UN-GGIM: Europe Executive Committee explained that its aim is to ensure a joint working relationship between National Mapping, Cadastral and Land Registry Authorities and National Statistical Institutes in the European UN Member States, the European Institutions and associated bodies.

“Well managed geospatial information is required to improve the lives of people. Our close cooperation will improve its management and availability, as well as its integration with other information based on user needs,” he said.

“The European Location Framework, a technical infrastructure and delivery platform, is being developed by the National Mapping, Cadastral and Land Registry Authorities to meet demand for one access point to national reference datasets and services.”

“It continutes to a number of European initiatives such as the Digital Single Market, the INSPIRE Directive and the reuse of public sector information. On a global scale, it is considered part of Europe’s contribution to the UN Committee of Experts on Geospatial Information Management (UNGGIM) and the UN Global Map for Sustainable Development.”

Mr Jortay concluded: “Our main responsibility is to deliver public value. Our shared mission is to produce authoritative, high quality information for public use and policy making.”

“This common goal makes us natural partners who have more in common than we might initially think. Turning this cooperation into concrete actions must be our priority.”

The meeting was held in Luxembourg and hosted by Eurostat.

For more information visit www.un-ggim-europe.org