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Geospatial information services based on official statistics

Review paper by United Kingdom

In-depth review of developing geospatial information services based on official statistics
The CES Bureau carried out an in-depth review of developing geospatial information services based on official statistics in February 2016. The Bureau noted that geocoding statistical data and developing geospatial information services is gaining a lot of momentum, and statistical offices needs to consider how to advance linking of geospatial and socio-economic data. Linking statistical and geospatial data opens up new analytical possibilities and uses for data.
Outcome of the review
The Bureau concluded that UNECE would be well placed to coordinate of activities on statistics and geospatial information in the UNECE region. Furthermore, the integration of the geospatial dimension into key UNECE modernization standards would be useful.
The Bureau decided to seek input for further work from a discussion of the topic of developing geospatial information services based on official statistics at the 2016 CES plenary session in Paris.
Related initiatives
In 2016-2017, the Conference of European Statisticians and the United Nations Initiative on Global Geospatial Information Management in Europe (UN-GGIM Europe) have increased collaboration to advance work in this area. The United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) discussed future work in the integration of geospatial information and official statistics in April 2016. 
In 2015, Eurostat and the European Forum for Geography and Statistics (EFGS) launched a GEOSTAT 2 project to support the increased use of point data in the statistical process. The aim of the project is to deliver a generic model for a geospatial reference framework for geo-enabling statistics, which will most likely be based on the UNECE Generic Statistical Business Process Model (GSBPM).
The United Nations Committee of Experts on Global Geospatial Information Management (UN-GGIM) carries out work on developing a statistical-geospatial framework as a global standard for the integration of statistical and geospatial information.
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This page was last updated on: 21 March 2017