PVBLIC Foundation Advances Regional Data Capacity and Cooperation Through High-Level Engagements in Panama and Trinidad and Tobago

With Stephen and Greg, Ms. Sofía Nilo Crisóstomo, Chair of UN-GGIM Americas, Chile, and Mr. Angel Dávila, Secretary General of the National Land Administration Authority (ANATI).

9 December 2025 - PVBLIC Foundation deepened its commitment to strengthening data ecosystems, digital public infrastructure, and geospatial governance across Latin America, Central America, and Small Island Developing States (SIDS). 

Through two strategic engagements — the Sub-regional Workshop on the United Nations Integrated Geospatial Information Framework (UN-IGIF) in Panama City and the Sixth In-Person Meeting of the SIDS National Focal Points in Port of Spain, PVBLIC joined government leaders and international representatives with a goal to transform global frameworks into country-level action.

These engagements highlight the expanding reach of PVBLIC Foundation and the SDG Data Alliance and underscore their central role in strengthening national capacities to deliver on the SDGs and the Antigua and Barbuda Agenda for SIDS (ABAS). 

Accelerating UN-IGIF Implementation Across Central and Latin America

Sub-regional Workshop on the United Nations Integrated Geospatial Information Framework (UN-IGIF)

1–4 December | Panama City, Panama

The Sub-regional Workshop on the United Nations Integrated Geospatial Information Framework (UN-IGIF) brought together representatives from Central and Latin American countries to strengthen national geospatial information systems, align regional priorities, and advance implementation of the UN-IGIF. This workshop is part of a larger global series (2023–2025) led by the UN-GGIM Secretariat, SDG Data Alliance, UN-GGKIC, and other partners, aimed at building national capacity, growing leadership, fostering knowledge exchange, and translating geospatial governance frameworks into practical action.

PVBLIC Foundation and the SDG Data Alliance were represented in Panama by Dr. Greg Scott, Executive Director of the SDG Data Alliance; Sergio Fernández de Córdova, Executive Chairman of PVBLIC Foundation; and Stephen Keppel, President of PVBLIC Foundation. Dr. Scott contributed to sessions introducing the UN-IGIF and the country-led CAP process, guiding discussions on linking national development priorities with geospatial data needs. Sergio Fernández de Córdova and Stephen Keppel participated in the Setting the Scene: Regional to National session, emphasizing regional collaboration, multistakeholder partnerships, and PVBLIC Foundation’s role in advancing digital and geospatial infrastructure. In particular, some of the challenges in being able to strategically communicate the value of geospatial information to, and gain the attention of, policy and decision-makers, was highlighted. Together, their contributions reinforced leadership in fostering practical action, peer learning, and alignment with global geospatial frameworks.

Supporting SIDS-Owned Development Through the NFP Network

Sixth In-Person Meeting of the Small Island Developing States (SIDS) National Focal Points

5 December | Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago

Following the Panama workshop, Dr. Greg Scott, Executive Director of the SDG Data Alliance, traveled to Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago, to participate in the sixth in-person meeting of the Small Island Developing States (SIDS) National Focal Points (NFPs). Established in 2018 by UN-OHRLLS under the SAMOA Pathway, the NFP Network is central to coordinating SIDS issues across ministries and sectors, supporting the implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of the ABAS, advancing the 2030 Agenda, and facilitating peer learning and the exchange of best practices.

The sixth in-person meeting focused on operationalizing ABAS through discussions on the Monitoring & Evaluation Framework, refining practical toolkits for NFPs, aligning national priorities with ABAS pillars, and strengthening capacities for evidence-based decision-making. Dr. Scott represented the PVBLIC Foundation and the SDG Data Alliance in these dialogues, including the Partner Dialogue, reflecting the ongoing collaboration between PVBLIC Foundation, SDG Data Alliance, and UN partners to advance data access, digital public infrastructure, and SIDS-led development initiatives in support of the SIDS Centre of Excellence and its Global Data Hub.

From Latin America to the Caribbean, PVBLIC Foundation continues to help governments translate global frameworks into national action — ensuring they have the systems, data, and partnerships needed to drive sustainable development and resilience.