The Regional Centre for Mapping of Resources for Development (RCMRD) is holding the 49th meeting of the Technical Committee at its premises in Nairobi, Kenya. The meeting is being attended by representatives from RCMRD member States among other experts. The 49th meeting of the Technical Committee was officially opened by Ms. Mariamu El Maawy, the Principal Secretary Ministry of Land, Housing and Urban Development, Kenya.
In her opening speech, Ms. El Maawy welcomed the participants on behalf of the Government of Kenya. She said, “I am delighted to be with you this afternoon to officiate the opening of the 49th meeting of the Technical Committee of the Regional Centre for Mapping of Resources for Development (RCMRD). Kenya is greatly privileged and honoured to be one of the founder member States of RCMRD and to host it in Nairobi since 1975 when it was established.”
She explained how over the years RCMRD has continued to increase its services of specialized tailor made courses in the fields of surveying, mapping, remote sensing, global positioning systems, geographical information systems and information, communication technology (ICT), and has been providing technical support in the implementation of mapping projects in the member States, that cut across all sectors of national development. She also highlighted how RCMRD organizes equipment service and maintenance missions to the member States for repair of various survey instruments.
Ms. El Maawy officially opening the 49th meeting of the RCMRD Technical Committee.
Ms. El Maawy urged member States to take advantage of the existing excellent facilities and expertise at RCMRD and optimize the use of the available services. She exclaimed, “It is therefore my hope that during this meeting, the member states will take time to look at possible programmes that they can work in conjunction with RCMRD to help our countries address the many challenges facing us such as poverty reduction, food security, land degradation, disaster management, urban planning, land administration and management that require geospatial information. Furthermore, we need to further develop the capacities of our surveying and mapping institutions to improve geospatial information services in the member states.”
Finally, the Principal Secretary encouraged the Technical Committee to develop capacities of surveying and mapping institutions in order to improve geospatial information services in the member States and appealed to the RCMRD management to work closely with the member States and effectively address the challenges facing the member States.
Participants follow proceedings during the first day of the Technical Committee meeting.
The agenda of the 49th meeting of the Technical Committee include election of officials, adoption of the agenda and work schedule, report of invitations, matters arising from the minutes of the 48th meeting, country reports, report of the UNECA, report of the Director General, presentation of the audit report for 2014, presentation of the 2016 work programme and budget, agenda and work schedule for the 49th Governing Council meeting, and adoption of the report of the 49th meeting.
