The Maldives has been elected to the Executive Board of the United Nations Committee of Experts on Global Geospatial Information Management for Asia and the Pacific (UN-GGIM-AP), marking its first term in the regional body’s leadership.
Mohamed Shafee, Director General of Geomatics at the Ministry of Finance and Planning, was appointed to the board for the 2025-2028 term during the committee’s 14th plenary meeting, convened on Friday in the Republic of Korea. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed the appointment in an official statement.
His selection was reached by consensus among Committee members, placing the Maldives alongside representatives from Armenia, Australia, Fiji, Iran, Japan, Malaysia, Mongolia, Pakistan, the Russian Federation and Tonga.
The executive board comprises 15 members, including two co-chairs and three vice-chairs. It is charged with overseeing the committee’s strategic direction and operational coordination. The Maldives’ inclusion signals a deepening engagement in international geospatial governance.
UN-GGIM-AP functions as the regional arm of the global UN-GGIM framework. It is mandated to lead, coordinate and support the development and management of geospatial information across Asia and the Pacific. The committee’s activities are aligned with international standards and development goals, and its membership currently spans 56 states.