EU & Other Organizations
The Department of Lands and Surveys represents Cyprus in the following Organizations:
1. EUROGEOGRAPHICS
EuroGeographics (www.eurogeographics.org), is an independent international non-profit organization that represents the National Mapping, Cadastral and Land Registration Organizations of Europe.
Eurogeographics represents the National Cartographic Services of 46 European countries and has a total of 63 member organizations. The Department of Lands and Surveys (DLS) is a member of the organization and actively participates in all its activities (working groups, knowledge exchange network, conferences, etc.). DLS also participates in five pan-European databases covering all of Cyprus with official geographical names and geospatial data. These databases are constantly updated and upgraded.
The organization participates and represents most of the bodies responsible for geodetic survey, topographic mapping, cadastral surveys and land recording in the geographical area of Europe, providing benefits for everyone, regardless of geographical, technical, business, political, organizational, and linguistic parameters within which they work.
An executive officer of the Department was elected as a member of the Management Board of the organization and actively participates in all meetings, presentations, planning, monitoring, promotion and decisions.
The organization supports the common interest by representing all its members, maintaining networks that help its members improve their capabilities and role, and facilitating access to and use of their geospatial data and services. It provides a single point of contact that allows interested persons and organizations to benefit from the collective expertise, products and services available.
2. European Land Registry Association
LRA (European Land Registry Association) is an International association without lucrative purpose which mission and primary purpose is "the development and understanding of the role of land registration in real property and capital markets". ELRA wants to promote mutual understanding and the knowledge of land registers, to help creating an open and secure Europe, serving and protecting citizens; Land Registries are a fundamental pillar of legal certainty and ELRA's commitment is to ensure the transfer of this principal into Community Law.
3. Permanent Committee on Cadastre – PCC
The "First Congress on Cadastre in the European Union" held in May 2002 under the auspices of the Programme of Activities of the Spanish Presidency of the E.U., was to propose the creation and start-up of the "Permanent Committee on Cadastre in the European Union".
The main objectives of the Permanent Committee on Cadastre in the European Union are:
The main objectives of the Permanent Committee on Cadastre in the European Union are:
- To constitute a network of information on Cadastre to facilitate the exchange of information, expertise and best practices among the members of the Permanent Committee on Cadastre: The directors of the Institutions that form part of the Permanent Committee will exchange available information, either in response to specific queries raised by other members, or by the general distribution of information to all members. Members will answer any survey and questionnaire that may be conducted in order to improve this information.
- To represent a privileged link between cadastral institutions and the organs of the European Union and other entities requiring cadastral information to carry out their activities: One of the principal functions of the Committee will be to study and present to the organs of the European Union coordinated proposals on diverse aspects affecting territorial databases. This function will be especially important when the subject of debate is proposed European regulations scheduled for future approval.
4. European Land Information Service – EULIS
EULIS provides subscribed land registry customers such as banks, lenders, estate agents and lawyers, reliable, direct and easy access to land and property information in member European countries.
The European Land Information Service (EULIS) is a European Economic Interest Group (EEIG) governed by members, each responsible for land and property information in its own country or region. It owns a service that provides easy access to land and property information.
5. Working Party on Land Administration – WPLA
The overall goals of the Working Party are the promotion and improvement of land administration and land management in the UNECE region. The Working Party aims at supporting security of tenure, improving and creating more effective land registries and promoting sustainable land use policies.
The overall goals of the Working Party are the promotion and improvement of land administration and land management in the UNECE region. The Working Party aims at supporting security of tenure, improving and creating more effective land registries and promoting sustainable land use policies.
6. (I.S.C.G.M.) International Steering Committee for Global Mapping
The ISCGM was established in February, 1996 to spearhead 'global mapping' in response to the call for urgent actions at the 1992 Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro for greater information support on 'the status and trends of the planet's ecosystem, natural resources, pollution and socioeconomic variables.
The mission of the ISCGM in the context of sustainable development agenda is "to examine measures that concerned national, regional, and international organizations can take to foster the development of Global Mapping in order to facilitate the implementation of global agreements and conventions for environmental protection as well as the mitigation of natural disasters and to encourage economic growth within the context of sustainable development".
Operationally, the ISCGM has two key tasks. First, it serves as the platform to "advocate the importance of Global Mapping, exchange views, facilitate coordination, and give recommendations". This is the 'advocacy' function of ISCGM. Second, the ISCGM has the responsibility to develop a 'Global Map', which is defined as "a group of geographical data sets of known and verified quality, with consistent specifications which will be open to the public". This is the 'production' function of the ISCGM.
7. International Cartographic Association
The mission of the International Cartographic Association (ICA) is to promote the disciplines and professions of cartography and GIS science in an international context.
The aim of ICA is to ensure that cartography and GIS science are employed to maximum effect and full potential for the benefit of society and science through promotion and representation of the disciplines and professions of cartography and GIS science internationally.
8. EUROGI
EUROGI vision is that Geographic Information with all its aspects should become a fully integrated component of the European knowledge-based society.
Το Τμήμα είναι ήδη μέλος του Ευρωπαϊκού οργανισμού Eurogeographics και ως μέλος του οργανισμού αυτού, έχει το δικαίωμα συμμετοχής στις εργασίες του οργανισμού EUROGI.
In order to ensure good governance, economic and social development, environmental protection and sustainability, and informed public participation, EUROGI mission is to maximise the availability, effective use and exploitation of GI (geographic information) throughout Europe.
This requires EUROGI to stimulate, encourage and support the development and effective use of GI and relevant technologies and policies, and to act as channel of the voice for the European GI community, private and public sectors alike.
9. EUROSTAT
Eurostat's mission is to be the leading provider of high quality statistics on Europe.
Eurostat is the statistical office of the European Union situated in Luxembourg. Its task is to provide the European Union with statistics at European level that enable comparisons between countries and regions.
Democratic societies do not function properly without a solid basis of reliable and objective statistics. On one hand, decision-makers at EU level, in Member States, in local government and in business need statistics to make those decisions. On the other hand, the public and media need statistics for an accurate picture of contemporary society and to evaluate the performance of politicians and others. Of course, national statistics are still important for national purposes in Member States whereas EU statistics are essential for decisions and evaluation at European level.
DLS supports the creation of GISCO (Geographical Information Database of the European Commission) in association with CYSTAT and EUROSTAT.
10. EuroSDR (European Organization for Spatial Data Research) πρώην OEEPE
EuroSDR (formerly OEEPE) is a pan-European organisation established by International Treaty, as OEEPE, in 1953 in Paris in accordance with a recommendation passed by the Council of the Organisation for European Economic Co-operation, The spatial data research interests of European countries are represented through the membership in EuroSDR of national organisations from their production and research sectors.
The result is a network of delegates, from European Geographic Information organisations and research institutes, effectively and practically addressing Europe's spatial data research requirements.
11. I.H.O. (International Hydrographic Organization)
A principal Aim of the IHO is to ensure that all the world's seas, oceans and navigable waters are surveyed and charted.
The Mission of the IHO is to create a global environment in which States provide adequate and timely hydrographic data, products and services and ensure their widest possible use.
The Vision of the IHO is to be the authoritative worldwide hydrographic body which actively engages all coastal and interested States to advance maritime safety and efficiency and which supports the protection and sustainable use of the marine environment.
12. International Society for Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing (I.S.P.R.S.)
Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing is the art, science, and technology of obtaining reliable information from noncontact imaging and other sensor systems about the Earth and its environment, and other physical objects and processes through recording, measuring, analyzing and representation.
The International Society for Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing is a non-governmental organization devoted to the development of international cooperation for the advancement of photogrammetry and remote sensing and their applications.
13. M.B.S.H.C. (Mediterranean and Black Seas Hydrographic Commission)
The MBSHC consists of country members of the International Hydrographic Organization. The MBSHC shares the same goals as the IHO with focus at the regional level.
