Building the Data Foundations for Resilient Island Futures: SDG Data Alliance at Geospatial World Forum 2026

At the Geospatial World Forum (GWF) 2026, global leaders, governments, technology innovators, and development partners convened to explore how geospatial infrastructure, digital systems, and data governance are shaping a more resilient and interconnected future. Under the theme “Sovereignty, Economy & Society,” this year’s Forum highlighted a growing global reality: sovereignty today extends beyond borders. It also depends on access to data, digital infrastructure, and the capacity to transform information into action.

For PVBLIC Foundation and the SDG Data Alliance, participation in GWF 2026 marked a strategic opportunity to elevate the priorities of Small Island Developing States (SIDS), strengthen partnerships across the geospatial ecosystem, and advance the operationalization of the SIDS Centre of Excellence (SIDS CoE) and its SIDS Global Data Hub.

As part of the key activations in the week, SDG Data Alliance Executive Director, Dr. Greg Scott opened the Geospatial Knowledge Infrastructure Summit at GWF, which brought together national mapping agencies, policymakers, technology leaders, sectoral practitioners, and development partners to move the conversation on Geospatial Knowledge Infrastructure (GKI)from concept to commitment.

“The world is evolving at an unprecedented pace, driven by rapid technological advancements and the urgent need to address complex global challenges. From climate change and public health crises to urbanization and geopolitical uncertainties, decision-makers require more than traditional data - they need integrated, real-time insights to navigate effectively. Together, the  GKI and United Nations Integrated Geospatial Information Framework (UN-IGIF) will significantly enhance the global geospatial ecosystem, driving innovation and enabling more informed policymaking, better resource management, and improved resilience to global challenges ,” he underscored.

As the recognized Development Partner of GWF 2026, the SDG Data Alliance played a leading role throughout the Forum, contributing to plenary discussions, executive training programs, technical sessions, and industry dialogues while convening a dedicated SIDS Seminar and hosting the SIDS Pavilion on the exhibition floor.

The Alliance's participation at the Geospatial World Forum 2026 built upon a Strategic Implementing Partnership Agreement signed between PVBLIC, the SDG Data Alliance, and Geospatial World during UNGA 80 in September 2025. The partnership reflects a shared commitment to advancing geospatial knowledge, strengthening capacity development, supporting innovation, and helping operationalize the SIDS Global Data Hub. 

The 3 A’s for Transformation

PVBLIC Foundation Executive Chairman Sergio Fernandez de Cordova participated in the plenary session, “Digital and Geospatial Infrastructure: Backbone for Resilient and Sustainable Development in Digital and Autonomous Age” on 27 April.

Sergio recapped and highlighted the 3 A’s for transformation:

Access. The priority is ensuring countries have access to that capability of tools, data and technology; not reinventing it.

Alignment. The real gap is coordination. Aligning geospatial data, systems and stakeholders around national priorities so they function as one.

Action. We need to move from data to systems infrastructure; from data to economic assets; and from intention to execution.

Why SIDS, Data, and Geospatial Infrastructure Matter

Small Island Developing States (SIDS) are a distinct group of 39 low-lying island nations and 18 associate members spread across three geographical regions: the Caribbean, the Pacific, and the Atlantic, Indian Ocean and South China Sea (AIS). SIDS are characterized by geographic remoteness, small land areas and populations, narrow resource bases, and a high dependency on external markets and ocean resources for survival and economic development. They are also highly vulnerable to natural disasters, climate change, sea level rise, and economic shocks.

The SDG Data Alliance is working on multiple initiatives, leveraging Data Hubs, that can seamlessly bring data together, integrate it, and deliver digital transformation for even the smallest island nations. The SIDS Global Data Hub serves as a sustainable and enduring repository of environmental, economic, and social data, supporting SIDS and SDG tracking, investment monitoring, and informed decision-making.

The SIDS Pavilion: Creating Visibility for Small Island Innovation and Collaboration

One of the central features of the SDG Data Alliance’s participation at GWF 2026 was the SIDS Pavilion, which served as a collaborative platform to showcase the growing ecosystem of partners, including Fugro, technologies, and initiatives supporting SIDS resilience and sustainable development. More than an exhibition space, it became a visible demonstration of how geospatial technologies, data platforms, and multi-stakeholder partnerships can help strengthen national capacity across island states.

The Pavilion showcased the interactive tools and features, including the SIDS Global Data Hub, Country Data Hubs, and Country Map Portfolios.

SIDS Seminar: Building the Data Foundations for the SIDS Centre of Excellence and Global Data Hub

A major milestone of the Forum was the dedicated SIDS Seminar, convened by PVBLIC Foundation and the SDG Data Alliance under the title, “Building the Data Foundations for the SIDS Centre of Excellence and Global Data Hub” on 30 April. SDG Data Alliance Executive Director Dr. Greg Scott, PVBLIC President Stephen Keppel, and Executive Director of the Development Bank for Resilient Prosperity Gene Leon represented the PVBLIC Foundation at the SIDS Seminar alongside government representatives, geospatial experts, international organizations, industry leaders, and regional stakeholders.

Session 1: Small Island Developing States — Needs, Challenges, Solutions

The opening session established the broader development context facing SIDS while emphasizing the urgent need for coordinated global support. Moderated by Stephen Keppel, President of PVBLIC Foundation, the session featured contributions from Mr. Clinton Heimann, Co-Chair of UN-GGIM, South Africa; Dr. Gene Leon, Executive Director, Nature Bank, PVBLIC Foundation, Barbados; Mrs. Andrena Athill-DaSouza, Communications Advisor, SIDS Centre of Excellence, Antigua &  Barbuda; Ms. Sherma Beroo, Project Manager, Office of the Director, Organisation of Eastern Caribbean  States (OECS), Saint Lucia; and Mr. Majdi Hamed Alharbi, Executive Director of International Cooperation, General Authority for  Survey and Geospatial Information (GEOSA), Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Discussions explored the vulnerabilities facing SIDS, the significance of the ABAS framework, and the role of international cooperation in advancing resilience, prosperity, and sustainable development. Additionally, the keynote presentation by Dr. Gene Leon, highlighted the broader socio-economic realities of SIDS while positioning the Nature Bank as part of a new paradigm for resilient development financing.

Session 2: SIDS Centre of Excellence and Global Data Hub

The second session focused on the architecture, implementation, and future ambitions of the SIDS Centre of Excellence and its interconnected Global Data Hub ecosystem, featuring speakers Mrs. Andrena Athill-DaSouza, Communications Advisor, SIDS Centre of Excellence, Antigua &  Barbuda; Dr. Greg Scott, Executive Director, SDG Data Alliance, PVBLIC Foundation, Australia; and Mr. Matthew Pennells, Director, Global Community Engagement, Esri, UAE. 

The session highlighted how geospatial technologies, data visualization platforms, and integrated map portfolios can strengthen national planning, improve accessibility to critical information, and support evidence-based decision-making across development priorities. Live demonstrations provided participants with practical examples of the Data Hub ecosystem.

Session 3: SIDS Country and Regional Perspectives

The third session brought forward direct perspectives from SIDS governments and regional organizations working on geospatial implementation and national data systems. Discussions emphasized the importance of locally grounded solutions, regional collaboration, and capacity-building efforts that ensure SIDS are not only beneficiaries of technology, but active leaders in shaping their own digital and geospatial futures.

Speakers included representatives Dr. John Nyburg, Director, International Hydrographic Organization (IHO), Monaco; Dr. Pooja Mahapatra, Head of Product – Climate & Nature, Fugro, the Netherlands; Mr. Andrew Nurse, Chief Surveyor, Survey & Mapping Division, Ministry of Agriculture, Lands,  Fisheries and the Blue Economy, Antigua & Barbuda; Ms. Yumi Nafe, Senior GIS Specialist and Acting/Head of GIS Unit, Ministry of Lands and Natural  Resources, Kingdom of Tonga; Ms. Suzanna Aurelien, Geoinformation Officer, Department of Physical Development and Urban  Renewal, Saint Lucia; and Ms. Sherma Beroo, Project Manager, Office of the Director, Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS), Saint Lucia.

Session 4: Partnerships Towards the Future

The concluding segment focused on the role of partnerships in supporting the long-term sustainability of the SIDS Centre of Excellence and the Global Data Hub ecosystem.

Industry leaders and institutional partners shared their expertise during the final session of the seminar including Ms. Denise McKenzie, Managing Partner, PLACE Trust, United Kingdom; Dr. Zaffar Mohamed Ghouse, Vice President & Director - Geospatial Advisory & Innovation,  Woolpert, Australia; Mr. João Bentes de Jesus, Head of Institutional Affairs, GEOSAT, Portugal; Mr. Narendra Babu Vattem, CEO, iSpatial Techno Solutions (IST), USA; and Dr. Lesley Arnold, Director, Geospatial Frameworks, Australia. 

The session reinforced a central message echoed throughout the Seminar: resilient island futures cannot be achieved in isolation. They require coordinated ecosystems of governments, technology providers, development institutions, and local stakeholders working together toward shared goals.

Helping shape tomorrow's leaders

Beyond the Seminar and the Pavilion, the SDG Data Alliance's presence at GWF 2026 extended to recognizing the next generation of geospatial talent. Dr. Greg Scott served as a juror for the prestigious Geospatial World 50 Rising Stars 2026, an annual initiative that highlights the outstanding accomplishments of individuals under 40 who are proactively demonstrating the value of geospatial technology to society, the environment, and the economy. 

The Rising Stars programme, now in its sixth year, draws from nominations across six continents and reflects Geospatial World's commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion within the sector.

The Geospatial World Forum reinforced a broader global shift: geospatial infrastructure and data systems are no longer peripheral technical tools. They are central to governance, resilience, climate adaptation, investment planning, and sustainable development. The SDG Data Alliance is committed to building long-term collaboration between governments, international organizations, academia, philanthropy, and the private sector.

To learn more about the SDG Data Alliance’s work, visit: sdg.org