Issue link: https://geospatial.trimble.com/en/resources/i/1415423
www.geospatialworld.net | Mar-Apr 2020 33 How much of geospatial information does your unit use and in what way? UNDP is a large organization and it has a specialized unit dedicated to the application of geospatial data. ere are many examples of UNDP using geospatial data to help coun- tries around the world. For instance, UNDP is supporting small island states in the use of technologies such as geospatial to develop and use digital early warning systems, satellite imagery, drones. We are also supporting these countries in digitization of data with sufficient technology and knowledge, so that they are able to monitor what maers for them the most — natural weather events such as storms, floods, landslides, soil and coastal erosion, and land degradation. I am currently based in UNDP's Human Development Report Office. We occasionally use geospatial data when we want to illustrate a specific geographic distribution of, for example, multi-dimensional poverty or when we look to find insights by blending and over- laying geospatial data with other data types. How would building a data ecosystem, which consists of different datasets including geospatial information, demography, environment data and meteorological data help in rebuilding things post COVID-19? For social and economic recovery, reliable data are very important. The key is to develop precise frameworks and organize the data in such a way so that they bring value in decision-making. The data ecosystems must also take into consider- ation that there are different stakeholders and different country-level needs, which must be tracked, reported, considered and answered. For example, data on supply chains and their disruptions, data on labor markets and their challenges and data on care systems and their overloaded situation. In some places, for example, the recovery will mean an extended paid leave or direct cash transfers to the poorest; in others, it will involve investments in the healthcare system and healthcare acces- sibility. For governments at all levels, the availability of reliable data ecosystem to inform decisions and track impact will be essential. Because we live in an intercon- nected world, if there is a bad decision locally, it may have an impact even at distant places. Do you think this is the right time for building and strengthening geospatial knowledge infrastructure, and will that boost the global health response system? e global geospatial knowledge infrastructure could help us build a robust health response system and enhance worldwide coordination and development. For instance, the integrated geospatial information framework that was developed jointly by the UN and World Bank in 2018 to assist countries in building capacities for using geospatial technology and geospatial management and help their move- ment towards e-economies and e-governance. 'E' is very important today because it could be used in some way in managing the health and economic crisis that we are currently facing. So, geospatial infrastructure, if well developed, can enhance government services and responses, including decision-making at all levels of governance. Further, it can help in bridging the geospatial digital divide, enable the private sector to recover quickly and empower all stakeholders. Megha Daa Director, Global Development Agenda megha@geospatialmedia.net UNDP has built two dashboards to assess the preparedness of countries to handle the COVID-19 crisis www.geospatialworld.net | Mar-Apr 2020 33