UN Open GIS Initiative: Use cases of Open Mobile GIS solutions in the context UN peace operations
2021-09-30, 10:30–11:00, Aconcagua

The UN Open GIS Initiative started UN Open GIS Mobile Solution Pilot Project in 2020, which aimed at (1) evaluating the effectiveness of using Open Source Mobile solutions such as QField, KoBo Toolbox, and Geopaparazzi/SMASH in field data collection; (2) setting up the fundamental process for integration, implementation, and use of GIS mobile application under UN Open GIS Architecture; (3) testing the Mobile solution compatibility with the known Open Source systems such as QGIS, GeoServer and PostgreSQL/PostGIS. This project is expected to pave the way forward for better availability of open mobile solutions, better integrated open GIS solutions, and increased operational efficiency and effective support for UN operations' situational awareness and decision-making.

The pilot project has been implemented collaboratively by United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO), World Food Programme (WFP), and UN Geospatial Information Section (UNGIS) together with special supports from developers of mobile solutions, such as OPENGIS.ch and HydroloGIS.

This talk will share users' experiences through a pilot project of open-source Mobile GIS solutions.


Background: the UN Open GIS Initiative, established in 2016, is an ongoing partnership initiative and supported by the Member States, International Organizations including UN Agencies, Academia, NGOs, and the Private Sector. UN Open GIS aims to create an extended spatial data infrastructure by utilizing open source GIS solutions that meet the United Nations' operational requirements (UN Secretariat including UN field missions and Regional commissions) and then expands to UN agencies, UN operating partners, and developing countries.


Authors and Affiliations

Remi Kouakou (1)
Majur Anek Bior Achiew (2)
Epaphrodite Utabajimana (3)
Togarepi Rodwell Chireshe (3)
Dimitris Karakostis (4)
Matthias Kuhn (5)
Silvia Franceschi (6)
Timur Obukhov (7)
Gakumin Kato (7)

(1) United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS)
(2) United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)
(3) The United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO)
(4) World Food Programme (WFP)
(5) OPENGIS.ch
(6) HydroloGIS: https://www.hydrologis.com
(7) Geospatial Information Section, Office of Information and Communications Technology, United Nations (UNGIS)

Track

Use cases & applications

Topic

FOSS4G implementations in strategic application domains: land management, crisis/disaster response, smart cities, population mapping, climate change, ocean and marine monitoring, etc.

Level

1 - Principiants. No required specific knowledge is needed.

Language of the Presentation

English

Gakumin Kato, Associate Geospatial Information Officer, Geospatial Analysis Unit, Geospatial Information Section (GIS), Technology Operations Service, Operations Support Division, Office of Information and Communications Technology (OICT)

GIS Technician at the UN Mission in DR Congo responsible for development of web GIS solutions.