Results and future development of the CIS Geoportal presented at the National Centre RUSSIA
The 48th session of the Interstate Council for Geodesy, Cartography, Cadastre and Earth Remote Sensing of the CIS Member States was held at the National Centre RUSSIA in Moscow. The central topic was the results and future development of the CIS Geoportal, the first interstate spatial data project of the Commonwealth countries.
The event brought together heads of cartographic and geodetic services and national delegations from Armenia, the Republic of Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan, representatives of Azerbaijan, as well as the leadership of the CIS Executive Committee.
The participants were welcomed via video address by the Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Federation, Marat Khusnullin. He outlined the key areas of development in the sector and their importance for the economy and improving people's quality of life.
"It is a great honour for us to welcome the heads of the relevant agencies from the CIS countries. Geodesy and cartography are undergoing major changes today, and new challenges are emerging. First and foremost, this means increasing the capitalisation of territories, which determines opportunities for development and the implementation of projects that matter to people. Another important task is shortening the investment and construction cycle. This is one of the drivers of economic development. The introduction of artificial intelligence and modern digital technologies is also a strategic priority. I wish all participants in the 48th session of the CIS Interstate Council successful and productive work, engaging discussions and constructive cooperation," said Marat Khusnullin.
Oleg Skufinsky, Head of the Federal Service for State Registration, Cadastre and Cartography, emphasised that spatial data is becoming one of the most important resources in modern governance. Its completeness, quality and accessibility affect territorial planning, construction, land management, infrastructure development and many other areas.
"The work of the Interstate Council remains highly relevant today, as digitalisation and the need for accurate and verified geospatial information are becoming key factors in the sustainable development of our countries. Our joint efforts are primarily focused on developing the key project, the CIS Geoportal, created in accordance with the agreements reached following the 43rd session of the Interstate Council and pursuant to the instructions of the President of the Russian Federation. Since the beginning of 2026, the CIS Geoportal has been in full-scale operation. At present, data is supplied to the project under information-sharing agreements concluded with Belarus, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan. Support for our work at the government level underscores the need to continue it, taking into account both the goals already achieved and the challenges facing the members of the Interstate Council," said Oleg Skufinsky.
The heads of the relevant agencies of the Commonwealth countries also discussed the development of digital services and joint initiatives that help improve the quality of management decisions and create new opportunities for citizens and businesses across the CIS. Denis Trefilov, Deputy Secretary General of the CIS, delivered a welcoming address to the participants. He highlighted three key areas for further cooperation. These included implementing the action plan for the second stage of the CIS Economic Development Strategy, including projects to develop software, manufacture equipment and train qualified specialists.
During the session, the CIS Geoportal and its key tools were demonstrated for the first time. They enable users to explore the tourism and investment potential of the Commonwealth of Independent States, choose a higher education institution or learn about promising career opportunities. Participants discussed further development of the platform's content, new thematic services, the use of national base maps and improvements to the regulatory framework governing the common spatial data infrastructure.
Tatyana Gromova, Director General of PLC "Roskadastr", presented the company's results as the basic scientific and technical organisation of the CIS Member States in geodesy, cartography, cadastre, spatial data and geoinformation technologies. She spoke about the role of expert and technological support for integration projects, as well as opportunities for further development of a common digital space across the Commonwealth countries.
During the session, participants approved a draft Interstate Programme for Cooperation among the CIS Member States in geodesy, cartography, spatial data, geoinformation technologies, Earth remote sensing, cadastral registration and registration of rights to real estate through 2030. They also agreed on the Unified Model of Basic and Thematic Spatial Data for the CIS Geoportal, the Concept for the Spatial Data Infrastructure of the CIS Member States and a classifier of basic spatial data. In 2026, the Russian Federation holds the chairmanship of the Interstate Council. The 48th session was organised by Rosreestr and PLC "Roskadastr".
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