The Global Spatial Data Infrastructure (GSDI) Association was formed in 2004 as an inclusive networking organization of academic and research institutions, government agencies, commercial geomatics firms, national and regional GI associations and individuals (geo professionals and students) from around the world.

The purpose of the Association was to promote international cooperation and collaboration in support of local, national and international spatial data infrastructure (SDI) research and implementations that would allow nations to better address social, economic, and environmental issues of pressing importance, including sustainable development.

• GSDI had Special Consultative status with UN ECOSOC and supported the UN Global Geospatial Information Management (UN UN GGIM) initiative.
• GSDI promoted the Open Data Principles of GEO/GEOSS.

GSDI was involved in SDI capacity building activities in several ways, including:

• the GSDI Small Grants Program (in cooperation with URISA’s GISCorps volunteers)
• SDI and geomatics training opportunities offered by our institutional members,
• SDI-focused workshops and seminars offered by members globally, and
• SDI-related GSDI Projects co-funded by the Association and implemented by members.

Since 1996, the Association conducted GSDI World Conferences around the globe, offering significant networking opportunities and offering the opportunity for SDI researchers and SDI implementors to present their latest work, challenges and solutions. The final conference, GSDI 15, was held in Taipei, Taiwan, 29 November to 2 December 2016. See more about the GSDI World Conference here.

During its history, GSDI developed liasons and Memorandums of Understanding with several global organisations, including:

• International Cartographic Association (ICA)
• International Federation of Surveyors (FIG)
• International Society for Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing (ISPRS)
• International Society for Digital Earth (ISDE)
• Centre for Disaster Management and Public Safety (CDMPS - Univ. of Melbourne)

GSDI Annual Reports

Download the 2017 Annual Report here (PDF)

Download the 2016 Annual Report here (PDF)

Download the 2016 Annual Report Summary here (PDF).

Download the 2015 Annual Report here (PDF).

Download the 2014 Annual Report here (PDF).

Download the 2013 Annual Report here (PDF).

The GSDI Association

• Our Vision is a world where everyone can readily discover, access and apply geographic information to improve their daily lives.
• Our Purpose is to encourage international cooperation that stimulates the implementation and development of national, regional and local spatial data infrastructures.
• Our Mission is to advance geo-information best practices, knowledge sharing and capacity building for the improved sharing and application of geographic information.