Minutes

33rd General Assembly
11 and 16 April 2010 in Sydney, Australia

of the meetings to be held in Parkside Ballroom
at the Sydney Convention and Exhibitor Centre, Sydney, Australia
on the 11th and 16th of April 2010

Introduction

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Changes after the minutes have been distributed to the member associations:

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List of Minutes Items

Sunday, 11 April, 09:00-12:00 and 13:00-15:00

1. OPENING PROCEEDINGS

President Stig Enemark opened the 33rd General Assembly and welcomed the members and delegates to Sydney, Australia.

The President mentioned that he was aware of some members have had some problems in communication with the organisers and also problems of getting visa. But he was happy to see the General Assembly so well represented and to notice that the congress had attracted more than 2,000 participants from more than 100 countries – the biggest FIG congress ever.

Noted that several greetings and apologies were received from member associations, other members, Honorary Presidents Dr. Juha Talvitie, Prof. Peter Dale and Prof. Holger Magel and several Honorary
Members who were no able to attend the General Assembly this time. The President welcomed especially Honorary Presidents Earl James and Robert W. Foster to the General Assembly as well as members of the Australian Bureau (1991-1995).

2. ROLL CALL

Vice President Matt Higgins took the roll call. The roll call was made only for member associations and affiliate members. Delegates representing academic members, corporate members and correspondents as well as honorary presidents and honorary members were entered in the records based on their registrations and information to the FIG Office.

Recorded that based on the decision of the General Assembly in 2006 only those member associations that had paid all their membership fees to the end of 2009 are allowed to vote at the meeting. A list of member associations that are not allowed to vote was published on the FIG web site 15 March 2010 and updated 10 and 15 April 2010.

Appendix to items 2 & 24: Roll Call (146 kB)
Appendix to items 2 & 24: List of member associations that are not allowed to vote at the General Assembly because of unpaid membership fees for 2009 and earlier (80 kB)

54 member associations out of 103 were present at this session, which is more than one third of the membership needed for the General Assembly to be constitutionally valid.

Motion: That present members are recorded in the minutes.

Decision: The motion was adopted.

3. APPOINTMENT OF TELLERS

The General Assembly shall appoint two persons as tellers following the principle adopted at the 22nd General Assembly so that the tellers will represent member associations hosting the preceding (the Association of Licensed Surveyors in Israel, ALSI) and the current General Assembly (the Surveying and Spatial Sciences Institute, SSSI).

Motion: That the General Assembly appoints Dr. Haim Srebro from ALSI and Mr. Craig Sandy from SSSI as a teller for the two sessions of the General Assembly.

Decision: The motion was adopted.

4. ADOPTION OF THE AGENDA

Motion: That the agenda be adopted with addition to add new item 33. Other Issues. Any members willing to include an item under this issue were invited to contact the President before the second session of the General Assembly.

Appendix to item 4: Final agenda (220 kB)

Decision: The motion was adopted.

5. ADOPTION OF THE MINUTES OF THE 32^nd GENERAL ASSEMBLY

Minutes have been circulated previously.

Appendix to item 5: Minutes of the General Assembly in Eilat, Israel, May 2009

Minutes of the General Assembly in Eilat, Israel, May 2009, without appendices, pdf-format. (168 kB)

Motion: That the minutes be adopted as recorded.

Decision: The motion was adopted.

6. MEMBERSHIP

6.1 Acceptance of new members

6.1.1 Cyprus Association of Valuers and Property Consultants

The Cyprus Association of Valuers and Property Consultants have submitted an application to become the second member association of FIG from Cyprus. The association has been constituted in 2007 after the previous association that included valuers and quantity surveyors was divided into two separate associations. The valuers association has currently 83 members. The current member association the Cyprus Association of Rural and Surveying Engineers has been contacted on the application and they have not opposed the application. The application meets the criteria for membership in FIG as a member association. The Council has considered the application and believes that the association meets criteria for membership of FIG as a member association.

Appendix to item 6.1.1: Membership application from the Cyprus Association of Valuers and Property Consultant (109 kB)

Motion: That the General Assembly admits the Cyprus Association of Valuers and Property Consultants to become a member association of FIG.

Decision: The motion was adopted and the FIG President gave Mr. Varnavas Pashoulis, President of the Cyprus Association of Valuers and Property Consultants the membership certificate.

6.1.2 The Nepal Institution of Chartered Surveyors

The Nepal Institution of Chartered Surveyors has submitted an application to become a member association of FIG from Nepal. The association has been constituted in May 2008. It members include licensed surveyors and the number of members is at the moment 27 qualified and 37 qualifying members. Nepal has earlier been a member of FIG but the former association is not active any longer. The application meets the criteria for membership in FIG as a member association. The Council has considered the application and believes that the association meets criteria for membership of FIG as a member association.

Appendix to item 6.1.2: Membership application from The Nepal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (19 kB).

Motion: That the General Assembly admits The Nepal Institution of Chartered Surveyors to become a member association of FIG.

Decision: The motion was adopted and the FIG President gave Mr. Buddhi Shestra, President of The Nepal Institution of Chartered Surveyors the membership certificate.

6.1.3 Geodetic Association of Herceg-Bosnia

The Geodetic Association of Herceg-Bosnia has submitted an application to become a member association of FIG from Bosnia-Herzegovina. The association has been constituted in 1995. The association in total 70 qualified members. The application meets the criteria for membership in FIG as a member association. The Council has considered the application and believes that the association meets criteria for membership of FIG as a member association.

Appendix to item 6.1.3: Membership application from the Geodetic Association of Herceg-Bosnia (9 kB)

Motion: That the General Assembly admits the Geodetic Association of Herceg-Bosnia to become a member association of FIG.

Decision: The motion was adopted. The membership certificate was given to the representative of the Geodetic Association of Herceg-Bosnia Prof. Zeljko Obradovic at the second session of the General Assembly.

6.2 Other member association issues

Surveying and Spatial Sciences Institute, SSSI, Australia

The Institute of Surveyors Australia, ISA has merged with the Spatial Sciences Institute at the end of June and submitted FIG a letter requesting to move the membership from ISA to the Surveying and Spatial Sciences Institute, SSSI. The Council has considered the application and has agreed to move the membership of ISA to SSSI representing Australia in FIG.

Motion: That the Council records the decision of the Council to move the Australian membership in FIG from ISA to SSSI.

Decision: The motion was adopted.

Ordre des Géomètres du Togo

The FIG Council has restored the membership of the Ordre des Géomètres du Togo because the association has taken care of all its responsibilities and should have not been expelled in 2007.

Motion: That the General Assembly records the Council decision.

Decision: The motion was adopted.

Danish Association of Chartered Surveyors, DdL, Denmark

The Danish Association of Chartered Surveyors, DdL has been a great supporter of FIG since the FIG Office was established in Copenhagen 1999. This has included lot of in kind support and offering the FIG office space free of charge. Now after ten years it is the right time for FIG to take full responsibility of the office also by starting to pay rent for the office. This has been informed earlier and is included in the FIG budget. Based on the long term support from DdL to FIG the FIG Council has decided to recognise DdL at the General Assembly with a certificate of appreciation. The Council is grateful that the support from DdL to FIG will continue also in the future.

Motion: That the General Assembly recognises the DdL for its continuous support to FIG by a certificate of appreciation and by listing DdL under other sponsorship in Corporate Membership list.

Decision: The motion was adopted. The FIG President presented a certificate of appreciation to Mr. Henning Elmstrom, President of the Danish Association of Chartered Surveyors.

6.3 Expulsion of member associations

Subscriptions of following member associations are more than three years in arrears:

• Syndicat National des Géomètres (SYNAGETAB), Benin
• Botswana Surveying and Mapping Association, Botswana
• Colegio de Ingenieros Topógrafos A. C., Mexico

The General Assembly has powers to expel from the Federation any member association whose fees are in arrears and shall under normal circumstances expel any member association whose fees are three years in arrears. (Article 4.3 of the Statutes). The FIG office has sent a letter to these associations informing that if their membership fees are still in arrears at the time of the General Assembly the General Assembly shall expel these member associations in Sydney.

After acceptance of new member associations and expulsions the number of FIG member associations is 100.

Motion: That the General Assembly expels the

• Syndicat National des Géomètres (SYNAGETAB), Benin
• Botswana Surveying and Mapping Association, Botswana
• Colegio de Ingenieros Topógrafos A. C., Mexico

from the FIG membership if their membership fees still are in arrears 11 April 2010.

Decision: The motion was adopted.

6.4 Other membership issues

Affiliate members

The FIG Council has accepted following new affiliate members to FIG after the latest General Assembly in 2009:

• Afghan Land Consulting Organization, ALCO, Afghanistan
• Italian Society of Photogrammetry and Topography, SIFET, Italy
• Swiss Federal Office of Topography, Swisstopo, Switzerland
• National Cartographic Center, Iran
• Afghanistan Information Management Services (AIMS), Afghanistan (2nd affiliate member from Afghanistan)
• Cadastral Survey Bureau of Land Management, Dept. of the Interior (BLM), USA
• State Geodetic Administration of Republic of Croatia (DGU), Croatia

The Agency for Land Management, Geodesy and Cartography from Tajikistan has terminated its membership in FIG.

After this change the number of affiliate members is 34.

Corporate members

The Council has admitted the following companies to become a Corporate Member of FIG after the General Assembly in 2009:

• Geotrilho Topografia Engenharia e Projecto lda, Portugal, Level E (basic level)
• Geoweb S.p.A., Italy, category C (silver level)
• Coordinates Magazine, India, category F (regional level)

MENSI S.A, Schonstedt Instrument Company, GIS Development, Hansa Luftbild and REIDIN.com have withdrawn their membership from FIG.

After these changes the number of corporate members is now 35.

Academic members

The Council has admitted the following universities and institutions to become an academic member:

• The National Research Institute of Astronomy & Geophysics, Geodynamics Department, Egypt
• The College of Estate Management, United Kingdom
• Brno University of Technology, Czech Republic
• College of Technology, University of Houston, USA
• Center for Soil Protection and Land Use Policy (Zentrum für Bodenschutz und Flächenhaushaltspolitik am Umwelt), (ZBF-UCB), Germany
• School of Rural Estate and Planning, Reading University, United Kingdom.

The number of Academic Members after these changes is 89.

Correspondents

The Council has admitted following new correspondents:

• Habtemicael Weldegiorgis, Director General, Cadastral Office, Ministry of Land, Water and Environment (MLWE), Eritrea
• Melkamu Belachew Moges, Bahir Dar University, Ethiopia
• Jose Espejo Vasquez, Geodetic Surveyor, Peru (with aim to create Peruvian Congress on Geodesy, Surveying and Geomatic)

The membership has been limited to the end of 2010 with condition that their membership will only be continued if there is progress in forming professional association in their country. During this period the correspondents are expected to work for getting their country to join FIG at a higher membership level.

Number of correspondents is currently 18.

Motion: That the General Assembly notes the actions that the Council has taken with other membership matters.

Decision: The motion was adopted. Membership certificates were presented to representatives of the Italian Society of Photogrammetry and Topography, SIFET, Italy; the Swiss Federal Office of Topography, Swisstopo, Switzerland; Cadastral Survey Bureau of Land Management, Dept. of the Interior (BLM), USA; and The College of Estate Management, United Kingdom.

7. FIG MEMBERS’ DATABASE

At previous congresses member associations have been requested to prepare national reports on their activities for the congress proceedings. The Council has considered this concept and decided instead study options to build a FIG members´ database. The idea is to establish a short description of the profession for the members association within each country. The kind of template should include both a section on statistics and a section describing the profession in terms of the 10 commissions of FIG. The statistical section should include information such as: area and population of the country; number of surveyors in the country and number of surveyors belonging to the member association; and indications whether the association has adopted a code of ethics and professional conduct, a CPD program, and a mutual recognition program.

The purpose of the Members’ database is that it would then be easy to get a quick overview of the profile of the surveying profession in each member country whenever needed for whatever purpose.

The Council has prepared an example case study (concept model) from Denmark that the President presented at the General Assembly. If the General Assembly is supportive to the concept an Internet based database will be produced for implementation by the end of 2010.

Appendix to item 7: Handouts of the presentation on FIG Members’ Database (2.54 MB)

Motion: That the General Assembly records the reports and commits FIG members associations to provide the information required for the FIG members’ database.

Decision: The motion was adopted and the Council will proceed with the database so that it will be available by the end of 2010.

8. PRESIDENT’S REPORT

The President has prepared a report on the activities of the President and the Council since the General Assembly in Eilat. The President made a subsequent oral report at the meeting including an overall evaluation of the achievements in relation to the 2007-2010. A more detailed presentation on the FIG achievements during the 2007-2010 term of office was given by the President in the first plenary session on Monday 12 April.

The President also presented the proposal of publishing a Sydney Declaration as an outcome of the XXIV FIG Congress for approval at the second session of the General Assembly.

Appendix to item 8:

• President’s report (122 kB)
• Handouts of President's powerpoint presentation (5.85 MB)

Motion: That the General Assembly accepts the President’s report.

Decision: The motion was adopted. The General Assembly also supported the idea of publishing a Sydney Declaration.

9. HONORARY MEMBERS

The Council has received three nominations for Honorary Members: Colegio Oficial de Ingenieros Técnicos en Topografia (COIT) from Spain has nominated Prof. Pedro Cavero, Geo-Information Netherlands (GIN) has nominated Prof. Paul van der Molen (Netherlands), and Norges Jordskiftekandidatforening, faglig gruppe av Tekna (NJKF) from Norway has nominated Mr. Helge Onsrud.

Appendix to item 9: The nomination letters for:

• Prof. Pedro Cavero, Colegio Oficial de Ingenieros Técnicos en Topografia (COIT), Spain (61 kB)
• Prof. Paul van der Molen, Geo-Information Netherlands (GIN), the Netherlands (55 kB); and
• Mr. Helge Onsrud, Norges Jordskiftekandidatforening, faglig gruppe av Tekna (NJKF) and GeoForum, Norway (36 kB)

According to the Statutes paragraph 3.1.7 an individual who has materially assisted the development and promotion of the surveying profession at the international level can be appointed as an honorary member. Nomination for this appointment shall be made by a member association or the Council, which will consider it and submit it to a vote of the General Assembly.

The Council has considered all three proposals and decided to propose to the General Assembly that it appoints Prof. Pedro Cavero, Prof. Paul van der Molen and Mr. Helge Onsrud as Honorary Members of the Federation for the outstanding services they have provided to the Federation in different positions and functions.

Introductions of the three candidates were made by President Stig Enemark, Mr. Christiaan Lemmen, GIN and President Leiv Bjarte Mjoes, NJKF.

Motion: That the General Assembly appoints Prof. Pedro Cavero, Prof. Paul van der Molen and Mr. Helge Onsrud Honorary Members of FIG.

Decision: The General Assembly appointed Prof. Pedro Cavero, Prof. Paul van der Molen and Mr. Helge Onsrud as an Honorary Member of FIG with acclamation. Prof. Cavero and Mr. Onsrud were presented their badges with silver oak leaves and certificate of Honorary Member. Christiaan Lemmen received the badge and certificate on behalf of Prof. van der Molen.

10. REPORTS FROM FIG COMMISSIONS AND NETWORKS

Vice President Matt Higgins, Chair of ACCO made a presentation on behalf of the ACCO on the Commission activities and on results of the ACCO meeting held in Sydney. A more detailed presentation on Commission activities 2007-2010 was then given by President Enemark at the first plenary session on Monday 12 April.

Commission Chairs had submitted a written report on their Commission activities since the FIG Working Week in Eilat. These reports include progress reports of the Commission working groups. Each Commission held an annual or administrative meeting during the Congress in Sydney. Reports from Young Surveyors Network and Standards Network were presented together with Commission reports.

Appendices to item 10: Commission reports:

• Commission 1 (149 kB)
• Commission 2 (157 kB)
• Commission 3 (176 kB)
• Commission 4 (150 kB)
• Commission 5 (150 kB)
• Commission 6 (162 kB)
• Commission 7 (145 kB)
• Commission 8 (135 kB)
• Commission 9 (96 kB)
• Commission 10 ( kB), to be added
• Young Surveyors Network(163 kB)
• Standards Network (116 kB)

FIG Commissions have finished following publications that will be available in Sydney:

• No. 46 Enhancing Surveying Education through e-learning. A publication of FIG Commission 2 – Professional Education. FIG Report, 2010. Available on the web at: www.fig.net/pub/figpub/pub46/figpub46.pdf (1168 kB)
• No. 48 Rapid Urbanization and Mega Cities: The Need for Spatial Information Management. Research study by FIG Commission 3. FIG Report, 2010. Available on the web at: www.fig.net/pub/figpub/pub48/figpub48.pdf  (2753 kB)
• No. 49 Cost Effective GNSS Positioning Techniques. A publication of FIG Commission 5. FIG Report, 2010. Available on the web at: www.fig.net/pub/figpub/pub49/figpub49.pdf (1255 kB)

There are several Commission publications (from Commissions 4, 5, 8 and 9) under preparation and they will be published by the end of 2010. These include Issues in Coastal Development (Joint WG 8.4 and WG 4.3 report); FIG guide to find best practice on port hydrography (Commission 4 WG 4.1); Economic Benefits of Hydrography (Commission 4 WG 4.4) and Compulsory Purchase and Compensation (Commission 9).

The Council has made following decisions about Commissions and their working groups:

• appointed in August 2009 Robert Sinkner from Czech Republic as the acting Chair Elect of Commission 10 with immediate effect.
• agreed to establish a new Working Group on “Ubiquitous Positioning Technologies and Techniques” under Commission 5 (joint with Commission 6) that will be a collaborative working group with IAG. This working group will continue its work 2011-2014. Allison Kealy, FIG (Australia) and Günther Retscher, IAG (Austria) has been appointed as co-chairs.
• decided to terminate Working Group 8.5 (Land Use Planning and Implementation) chaired by Maria Ulfvarsson-Östlund based on Commission 8 proposal.

Motion: That the General Assembly

• adopts the reports of the Commission chairs and records its thanks to the chairs and other officers of the Commissions for their past year’s work
• records the Commission publications for information and records its thanks to editors and authors of these publications
• records the decisions on commissions and working groups made by the Council.

Decision: The motion was adopted.

11. REPORTS FROM THE DIRECTORS OF PERMANENT INSTITUTIONS

11.1 International Office of Cadastre and Land Records (Office International du Cadastre et du Régime Foncier) OICRF

Prof. Paul van der Molen, Director of OICRF has prepared a report on the OICRF activities since the General Assembly in Eilat. He will make a short subsequent report orally at the General Assembly. The report was presented at the meeting by Mr. Christiaan Lemmen.

Appendix to item 11.1: Report from the International Office of Cadastre and Land Records (Office International du Cadastre et du Régime Foncier) OICRF (120 kB)

In the report OICRF has proposed that the General Assembly appoints Mr. Christiaan Lemmen as the new Chairperson of OICRF and Ms. Pauline van Elsland as the new Secretary of OICRF. Mr. Lemmen will precede Prof. Paul van der Molen who will retire from OICRF after leading the institution for more than 15 years.

Motion: That the General Assembly adopts the report and appoints Mr. Christiaan Lemmen as the new OICRF President and Ms. Pauline van Elsland as the new OICRF Secretary and that the General Assembly records its thanks to the members of OICRF for their past year’s work and sincere thanks to Prof. Paul van der Molen for his long and outstanding work in OICRF.

Decision: The motion was adopted. The General Assembly recorded its thanks Prof. Paul van der Molen and appointed Mr. Christiaan Lemmen as the new OICRF President and Ms. Pauline van Elsland as the new OICRF Secretary.

11.2 International Institution for the History of Surveying and Measurement, Permanent Institution of FIG

Mr. Jan de Graeve, President of the IIHSM has prepared a report on the IIHSM activities since the General Assembly in Eilat. A FIG Publication on the IIHMS and its achievements was circulated at the General Assembly.

Appendix to item 11.2: Report and publication:

• Report from the International Institution for the History of Surveying and Measurement, Permanent Institution of FIG (108 kB)
• FIG Publication no. 50: History of Surveying (1,258 kB)

Motion: That the General Assembly:

• adopts the report and records its thanks to the Director and the members of the permanent institution for their past year’s work
• records the publication on History of Surveying and record its thanks to the editors and authors of the publication.

Decision: The motion was adopted.

12. REPORT OF THE PRESIDENT OF THE FIG FOUNDATION

Mr. John Hohol, President of the FIG Foundation has prepared a report on the FIG Foundation activities from May 2009 to January 2010. He made a subsequent report at the General Assembly on the activities related to FIG 2010 and on the grants and fellowships for 2010-2011.

Appendix to item 12: Report of the FIG Foundation activities May 2009 – January 2010 (478 kB)

Motion: That the General Assembly adopts the report of the President of the FIG Foundation and records its thanks to the President and members of the Board of Directors of the FIG Foundation for their past year’s work.

Decision: The motion was adopted.

13. REPORTS OF TASK FORCES

At the moment FIG has four Task Forces: 1) Institutional and Organisational Development, chaired by Iain Greenway; 2) Developing Global Land Tools for Pro Poor Land Management, chaired by Paul van der Molen (including the FIG/UN-HABITAT co-operation in Global Land Tool Network and developing Social Tenure Domain Model); 3) Task Force on Spatially Enabled Society, chaired by Daniel Steudler; and 4) FIG Africa Task Force, chaired by Diane Dumashie.

Vice President Iain Greenway has prepared a report on the progress of the Task Force on Institutional and Organisational Development. The final result of the Task Force has been published as FIG publication No 47 on Institutional and professional development and is available on the web at: www.fig.net/pub/figpub/pub47/figpub47.pdf. Hard copies of the publication were circulated at the General Assembly.

The tasks of the Task Force on Developing Global Land Tools for Pro Poor Land Management have in fact been taken over by the President because of change in the policies of co-operation with UN-HABITAT. The FIG activities with UN-HABITAT are now concentrated in the Global Land Tool Network where President Enemark is representing FIG in the International Advisory Board and in the project on developing the Social Tenure Domain Model. The President reported on these issues under agenda item 14 on co-operation with the United Nations. The outcomes of this Task Force include also publication “Informal Urban Development in Europe. A case study from Albania and Greece” that was prepared by expert support from FIG (Dr. Chryssy Potsiou) and will be published by UN-HABITAT/GLTN. This Task Force has also been actively involved in the Social Tenure Domain Model, a publication on this project was circulated at the General Assembly.

Dr. Diane Dumashie has prepared as progress report on the activities of the FIG Task Force on Africa (2010-2014). She made a presentation on the work plan and symposia for the coming years at the General Assembly.

Dr. Daniel Steudler has prepared and presented an interim report on the Task Force on Spatially Enabled Society. The final report of this report will be launched by the end of 2010.

Appendix to item 13: Task Force reports:

• Task Force on Institutional and Organisational Development (753 kB)
• FIG Publication no. 47: Institutional and Organisational Development – A Guide for Managers. FIG Guide, 2010 www.fig.net/pub/figpub/pub47/figpub47.pdf (124 kB)
• FIG Africa Task Force (98 kB)
• Handouts of Dr. Diane Dumashie’s presentation in Sydney (1.12 MB)
• FIG Task Force on Spatially Enabled Society (84 kB)

Motion: That the General Assembly

• records all Task Force reports and records its thanks to the Chairs of the Task Forces and their members
• records the FIG Publication no. 47 Institutional and Organisational Development – A Guide for Managers and recommends it for FIG members for use and distribution and decides to close the Task Force on Institutional and Organisational Development as its work has come to an end
• decides to close the FIG Task Force on Spatially Enabled Society and Developing Global Land Tools for Pro Poor Land Management at the end of 2010.

Decision: The motion was adopted.

14. CO-OPERATION WITH THE UNITED NATIONS AND THE WORLD BANK

As part of the Work Plan 2007-2010 the Council has established the UN Liaison Committee – FIG Responses to the Millennium Development Goals to coordinate co-operation with the United Nations and the World Bank. The Liaison Committee is chaired by the President. The Council appointed in February 2009 Prof. Paul van der Molen, the Netherlands, as the FIG Liaison Ambassador for the United Nations for 2009-2010.

The President has prepared a report on the co-operation between FIG and the United Nations including the World Bank since the General Assembly in Eilat. He made a subsequent report at the General Assembly.

The main activities in the co-operation with the United Nations and the World Bank during this period have been:

• Preparation of the FIG Publication No. 45 Land Governance in Support of the Millennium Development Goals. A New Agenda for Land Professionals. FIG / World Bank Conference, Washington DC, USA 9–10 March 2009. FIG Policy Statement, 2010. http://www.fig.net/pub/figpub/pub45/figpub45.pdf
• Participation to the Global Land Tool Network and its International Advisory Board
• Contribution to Global Land Tool Network (GLTN) projects such as developing the Social Tenure Domain Model, Case study on informal development in Albania and Greece; and developing the Gender Evaluation Criteria for Large-scale land Tools. Arrangement of the FAO Regional Consultation Meeting on the “FAO Voluntary Guidelines for Responsible Governance of Tenure of Land and Other Natural Resources” in conjunction to the 7th FIG Regional Conference in Hanoi, Vietnam, 19-22 October 2009.
• Participation to the work of the International Committee on Global Navigation Satellite Systems (ICG)

Appendix to item 14: Reports:

• Co-operation between FIG and the United Nations and the World Bank (133 kB)
• FIG Publication No. 45 Land Governance in Support of the Millennium Development Goals. A New Agenda for Land Professionals. FIG / World Bank Conference, Washington DC, USA 9–10 March 2009. FIG Policy Statement, 2010. http://www.fig.net/pub/figpub/pub45/figpub45.pdf (1385 kB)
• FIG Publication no 52 The Social Tenure Domain Model - A Pro-Poor Land Tool on Social Tenure Domain Model. FIG Report, 2010. http://www.fig.net/pub/figpub/pub52/figpub52.pdf (1,438 kB)

Motion: That the General Assembly

• adopts the report on the co-operation between FIG and the United Nations, its agencies and the World Bank and records its thanks to the members of the Liaison Committee and all those who have contributed to this co-operation
• records the FIG report on the FIG/World Bank conference and endorses the FIG–World Bank Declaration on Land Governance in Support of the Millennium Development Goals

Decision: The motion was adopted.

15. LIAISON WITH INTERNATIONAL PROFESSIONAL ORGANISATIONS

The Joint Board of Spatial Information Societies JB GIS was formally established during the FIG Working Week in Cairo in 2005 and meets annually during a major conference. The meeting of JB GIS in 2009 was held in conjunction to the GSDI Congress in Rotterdam, the Netherlands in June 2009 and the JB GIS had in addition and informal meeting in Bangkok, Thailand during the Eighteenth United Nations Regional Cartographic Conference for Asia and the Pacific (UNRCC-AP) in October 2009. The meeting included some fruitful information on current activities and discussions on future cooperation and collaboration between the organisations. A key issue was development of the Geographic Information Knowledge Network (GIK Network) under GSDI leadership to serve the global geographic information community at large. The goal of this facility is to enhance communications and sharing among geospatial specialists and organisations from all nations. Other key projects are Risk and Disaster Management and Capacity Building in Africa.

The JB GIS had its annual meeting 2010 during the FIG Congress in Sydney.

A new Memorandum of Understanding has been prepared between FIG and the GSDI Association and between FIG and the Pan American Institute of Geography and History (PAIGH). Both MoU were signed in Sydney at the end of the plenary session on spatially enabled society on Tuesday 13 April 2010.

FIG has further bilateral agreements of co-operation with several other international associations like ISM, IFHP, CIB, ION, ICEC, FIABCI and IFHS. Some of the partners are also working together in the Habitat Professionals Forum.

FIG is a member of the International Council for Science (ICSU) and working together with ISO and International Valuation Standards Committee (IVSC) on standards.

Appendix to item 15: Memorandum of Understanding between FIG and GSDI (231 kB)
Appendix to item 15: Memorandum of Understanding between FIG and PAIGH (525 kB)

Motion: That the General Assembly

• records the report on the liaison with other international associations
• adopts the MoU between FIG and GSDI
• adopts the MoU between FIG and PAIGH

Decision: The motion was adopted.

16. FIG CONFERENCES 2009

The FIG Working Week 2009 “Surveyors’ Key Role in Accelerated Development” was held in Eilat, Israel in 8-11 May 2009. The conference was a big success with more than 650 participants from 65 countries. The results of the conference have been reported on the FIG web site where also the proceedings are available. Findings of the Working Week are listed in the closing speech of President Stig Enemark.

The 7th FIG Regional Conference “Spatial Data Serving People – Land Governance and the Environment – Building the Capacity” was held in Hanoi, Vietnam, 19-22 October 2009. Participation exceeded the expectations of the organisers. With 400 participants from 52 countries the conference was among the biggest regional conference so far. As part of the conference FAO organised a two-day Regional Consultation Meeting on the “FAO Voluntary Guidelines for Responsible Governance of Tenure of Land and Other Natural Resources”.

As result from the regional conference the Hanoi Declaration on Land Acquisition in Emerging Economies has been prepared and was launched in Sydney.

Appendix to item 16: FIG Publication no. 51 Hanoi Declaration on Land Acquisition in Emerging Economies. FIG Policy Statement, 2010. www.fig.net/pub/figpub/pub51/figpub51.pdf (1,088 kB)

Motion: That the General Assembly

• records its thanks to ALSI and the organising committee for hosting the FIG Working Week in Eilat, Israel
• records its thanks to VGCR for hosting the organising committee for hosting the 7th FIG Regional Conference in Hanoi, Vietnam
• records the Hanoi Declaration and endorses its recommendations for land acquisition in emerging economies

Decision: The motion was adopted and the Hanoi Declaration endorsed.

17. FIG OFFICE DEVELOPMENT PLAN

The Council has requested the FIG General Manager John Neel to prepare a FIG Office Development Plan proposing the steps required to develop the FIG Office into an efficient and effective professional organization provided quality service. This was related to the employment as General Manager by 1 January 2009. The Plan will include an Office Quality Management System with a manual documenting all administrative procedures to be written in accordance with the overall ISO principles. This intends to streamline the administrative procedures and also safeguard the small FIG Office that is vulnerable to staff changes.

The FIG President presented the FIG Office Development Plan to the General Assembly.

Appendix to item 17: Summary of the FIG Office Development Plan (25 kB)

Motion: That the General Assembly records the presentation on the FIG Office Development Plan and agrees that the Council will proceed with its implementation.

Decision: The motion was adopted.

18. FIG ACCOUNTS FOR 2009 AND AUDITOR’S REPORT AND BUDGET FOR 2010, 2011 AND 2012

Vice President Iain Greenway and General Manager John Neel have prepared a report on the FIG Financial Issues. Iain Greenway presented the finance report to the General Assembly. This report included the summary of 2009 accounts, an updated budget for 2010 and proposals for budgets 2011-12 with notes and proposal for membership fees for member associations in 2012.

The Auditors Report included the auditors report from 2009, official accounts (income statement 2009) and balance sheet 31 December 2009.

Appendix to item 18:

• Report on Financial Issues (including 2009 accounts and budgets 2010-2012) (131 kB)
  Annexes:
  18A Auditor's Report, Income Statement for 2009 and Balance Sheet at 31 December 2009 (2450 kB)
  18B FIG Result 2009 (102 kB)
  18C FIG Budgets 2010-2012 (88 kB)
  18D List of member associations whose membership fees are in arrears for 2009 and earlier and that are not allowed to vote (79 kB)
• Handouts of Vice President Greenway's Powerpoint presentation (534 kB)

Motion: That the General Assembly

• adopts the audited accounts for 2009 and
• adopts budgets for 2010–2012

Decision: The motion was adopted.

19. SUBSCRIPTION RATES FOR 2012

The General Assembly has to set levels of fees for member associations two years in advance of the year in which they become payable. Fees are payable in respect of each individual member up to a maximum of 5,500 members. Membership fee structure was changed in 2009 and at that time the per capita fee for 2010 was frozen to 2009 level. Membership fees have been discussed as part of the finance report, appendix to item 18.

The 2009 General Assembly approved membership fees for 2011 as follows:

23. PRESIDENTS’ MEETING

Separate invitation to Presidents of the Member Associations.

Totally 66 people attended this Presidents’ Meeting out of which 50 were Presidents or leaders of delegations. At the meeting relations between member associations and FIG were discussed as well as experiences from the FIG Congress 2010. A separate memorandum of this meeting is circulated to the participants of the meeting and to the Presidents of member associations.

Second Session, Friday 16 April, 11:00 - 14:00
Parkside Ballroom, SCEC

24. ROLL CALL

FIG Director took the roll call. The roll call was made only for member associations. Delegates representing affiliate members, academic members, corporate members and correspondents as well as honorary presidents and honorary members were entered in the records based on their registrations and information to the FIG Office.

Recorded that based on the decision of the General Assembly in 2006 only those member associations that had paid all their membership fees to the end of 2009 are allowed to vote at the meeting. The list of member associations that are not allowed to vote was updated 15 April 2010.

Noted that the General Assembly had appointed Dr. Haim Srebro from ALSI and Mr. Craig Sandy from SSSI as tellers for this session of the General Assembly.

Appendix to items 2 and 24: Roll Call (146 kB)
Appendix to items 2 and 24: List of member associations that are not allowed to vote at the General Assembly because of unpaid membership fees for 2009 and earlier (80 kB)

67 member associations out of 103 were present at this session, which is more than one third of the membership needed for the General Assembly to be constitutionally valid. 66 member associations were allowed to vote.

Motion: That present members are recorded in the minutes.

Decision: The motion was adopted.

25. MEMBERSHIP

25.1 Acceptance of new members

25.1.1 Albania Association of Geodesy

The Albania Association of Geodesy AAG has submitted an application to become a member association of FIG from Albania. The association has been constituted in 1990 and has now 150 members that have graduated from the Polytechnic University of Tirana. The application meets the criteria for membership in FIG as a member association. The Council has considered the application and believes that the association meets criteria for membership of FIG as a member association.

Appendix to item 25.1.1: Membership application from the Albania Association of Geodesy (104 kB)

Motion: That the General Assembly admits the Albania Association of Geodesy to become a member association of FIG.

Decision: The motion was adopted.

25.1.2 Ordre des Géomètres Experts du Benin

Ordre des Géomètres Experts du Benin has submitted an application to become the new member association of FIG from Benin. The association has been constituted in 1991 and has 60 qualified members. The General Assembly expelled the previous member association SYNAGETAB on 11 April due to unpaid membership fees. The application meets the criteria for membership in FIG as a member association. The Council has considered the application and believes that the association meets criteria for membership of FIG as a member association and that the Ordre is the right association to represent Benin in FIG.

Appendix to item 25.1.2: Membership application from Ordre des Géomètres Experts du Benin (876 kB)

Motion: That the General Assembly admits the Ordre des Géomètres Experts du Benin to become a member association of FIG.

Decision: The motion was adopted and the FIG President gave President Roch Abdon Bah, Ordre des
Géomètres Experts du Benin the membership certificate.

25.1.3 Botswana Surveying and Mapping Association

The Botswana Surveying and Mapping Association has paid part of its arrears and the Council has therefore decided to restore the membership.

Motion: That the General Assembly records that the membership of the Botswana Surveying and Mapping Association has been restored.

Decision: The motion was adopted and the FIG President gave President Roch Abdon Bah, Ordre des Géomètres Experts du Benin the membership certificate.

After acceptance of new member associations the number of FIG member associations is 103.

25.2 Affiliate members

The Council has accepted following three affiliate members to FIG:

• Survey of Israel, Israel
• Ministry of Lands and Mineral Resources, Fiji
• Agency for Land Administration and Cadastre of Republic of Moldova

After these new affiliate members the number of affiliate members is 37.

Motion: That the General Assembly records the decision of the Council.

Decision: The motion was adopted and the President gave the membership certificate to Dr. Haim Srebro from the Survey of Israel.

26. ELECTION OF FIG PRESIDENT 2011-2014

Motion: That the General Assembly elects the President for FIG for term of office 1.1.2011-31.12.2014.

In the first round Iain Greenway got 15 votes, Matthew Higgins 24 votes and Teo CheeHai 27 votes. The second vote was then arranged between Matthew Higgins and Teo CheeHai.

In the second round Matthew Higgins got 32 votes, Teo CheeHai 33 votes and one invalid vote.

Decision: The General Assembly elected Mr. Teo CheeHai from Malaysia as the FIG President for 1.1.2011-31.12.2014 after he got majority of the votes in the election.

27. ELECTION OF VICE PRESIDENTS 2011-2014

Motion: That the General Assembly elects two Vice Presidents for FIG for term of office 1.1.2011-31.12.2014 and one Vice President for term of office 1.1.2011-31.12.2012.

In the first round Prof. Dalal S. Alnaggar got 10 votes, Dr. Chryssy Potsiou 32 votes, Prof. Rudolf Staiger 23 votes and in addition one invalid vote. The second vote was arranged between Dr. Potsiou and Prof. Staiger. In the second round Dr. Potsiou got 40 votes and Prof. Staiger 26 votes.

For the second Vice President post Dr. Alnaggar got 10 votes and Prof. Staiger 56 votes.

Decision: The General Assembly elected Dr. Chryssy Potsiou from Greece for the first position of Vice President for 1.1.2011-31.12.2014 and Prof. Rudolf Staiger from Germany for the second open position of Vice President for 1.1.2011-31.12.2014. Prof. Dalal S. Alnaggar was then appointed for Vice President for a two year period 1.1.2011-31.12.2014.

28. REPORT FROM ACCO

Mr. Matt Higgins, Chair of ACCO informed the General Assembly on the ACCO meetings during the Congress including preparation of new work plans and evaluation of the peer review process used for FIG Congress 2010.

Motion: That the General Assembly records the report.

Decision: The motion was adopted.

29. APPOINTMENT OF FIG COMMISSION CHAIRS 2011-2014

FIG member associations have proposed all current Chairs Elect for election of FIG Commission Chairs 2011-2014 and the Czech Union of Surveyors and Cartographers has appointed acting Chair Elect Robert Šinkner as candidate for Commission 10. The Council has not received any other nominations.

The candidates for FIG Commission Chairs for 2011-2014 are:

• Commission 1: Ms. Leonie Newnham, SSSI, Australia
• Commission 2: Prof. Dr. Steven Frank, ACSM, USA
• Commission 3: Prof. Yerach Doytsher, ALSI, Israel
• Commission 4: Dr. Michael Sutherland, CIG, Canada and Trinidad and Tobago
• Commission 5: Mr. Mikael Lilje, ASPECT, Sweden
• Commission 6: Dr. Gethin Wyn Roberts, ICES, United Kingdom
• Commission 7: Mr. Daniel Roberge, CIG, Canada
• Commission 8: Mr. Wafula Nabutola, ISK, Kenya
• Commission 9: Prof. Frances Plimmer, RICS, United Kingdom
• Commission 10: Mr. Robert Šinkner, CUSC, Czech Republic

The term of office of the newly appointed chairs is 1.1.2011-31.12.2014. The Work Plans for 2011-2014 will be presented for adoption of the General Assembly in Marrakesh, Morocco, May 2011.

Motion: That the General Assembly appoints unanimously FIG Commission chairs for term of office 1.1.2011-31.12.2014 as follows:

• Commission 1: Ms. Leonie Newnham, SSSI, Australia
• Commission 2: Prof. Dr. Steven Frank, ACSM, USA
• Commission 3: Prof. Yerach Doytsher, ALSI, Israel
• Commission 4: Dr. Michael Sutherland, CIG, Canada and Trinidad and Tobago
• Commission 5: Mr. Mikael Lilje, ASPECT, Sweden
• Commission 6: Dr. Gethin Wyn Roberts, ICES, United Kingdom
• Commission 7: Mr. Daniel Roberge, CIG, Canada
• Commission 8: Mr. Wafula Nabutola, ISK, Kenya
• Commission 9: Prof. Frances Plimmer, RICS, United Kingdom
• Commission 10: Mr. Robert Šinkner, CUSC, Czech Republic

Decision: The motion was adopted. The General Assembly further endorsed the appointment of Ms. Kate Fairlie as the new chair of the Young Surveyors Network for 2011-2014 as proposed by the network and the FIG Council. All Chairs Elect were appointed by acclamation.

30. CO-OPERATION WITH THE FIG CORPORATE MEMBERS

A traditional meeting for FIG Corporate Members will be organised in Sydney. FIG Director reported to the General Assembly on the outcomes from the Corporate Members’ meeting in Sydney and about the co-operation between FIG and its Corporate Members.

Motion: That the General Assembly records the report.

Decision: The motion was adopted.

31. DECISION OF THE VENUE OF FIG CONGRESS 2014

Candidates for hosting the FIG Congress in 2014 have made their presentations in the first session of the General Assembly. The decision will be made between:

• Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, hosted by FIG and Association of Authorised Land Surveyors Malaysia AALSM
• Istanbul, Turkey, hosted by FIG and Chamber of Surveying Engineers of Turkey HKMO

Decision on the venue of FIG Congress 2014 will be made voting by blind votes.

Motion: That the General Assembly selects the venue for FIG Congress 2014.

In the voting Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia got 35 votes and Istanbul, Turkey 31 votes.

Decision: The General Assembly decided that the XXV FIG Congress 2014 will be hosted jointly by Association of Authorised Land Surveyors Malaysia and FIG in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

32. FIG SYDNEY DECLARATION

The proposal for publishing a FIG Sydney Declaration was presented and approved at the first session of the General Assembly. The President presented draft declaration for adoption at the General Assembly. The draft will be posted on the FIG web site and it will be circulated together with the General Assembly minutes. FIG members were invited to send their comments on the draft declaration to FIG before 14 June 2010. The Council will then finalise the declaration, publish it and circulate to the members.

Appendix to item 32: Draft for FIG Sydney Declaration (108 KB)

As immediate comments it was suggested to include a statement on young surveyors’ role, on surveyors’ role in commissions 8, 9 and 10 especially in project management and in promoting sustainable development and sustainable cities and rural land management.

Motion: That the General Assembly adopts the FIG Sydney Declaration.

Decision: The motion was adopted and the FIG members were encouraged to send their comments on the draft declaration to FIG before 14 June 2010.

33. OTHER ISSUES

FIG Foundation

President John Hohol, FIG Foundation reported on the activities of the FIG Foundation in Sydney. He also announced the new strategic partnership with Trimble Navigation Ltd and that the Foundation is preparing a new work plan for the next years.

William Light’s Plan of Adelaide

Mr. Jan de Graeve, IIS&M made a proposal that FIG should encourage and support preparation of a World Heritage nomination of William Light’s Adelaide Plan for the UNESCO World Heritage List.

In his oral report Mr. de Graeve requested for support from member association for translation of the German book on the history of surveying: “Museimshandbuch Teil 3 Vermessunsgeschicte”.

Motion: That the discussion will be recorded and the Council will consider any action that will be required.

Decision: The motion was adopted.

34. REPORT ON THE FIG WORKING WEEK 2011 IN MARRAKECH, MOROCCO, 18-22 MAY 2011

President Aziz Hilali, Ordre National des Ingénieurs Géomètres-Topographes ONIGT and members of the Organising Committee of FIG Working Week 2011 gave a presentation about the next Working Week and its preparations. The Working Week “Bridging the Gap between Cultures” will be held in Marrakech, Morocco 18-22 May 2011. Conference web site will be available at: www.fig.net/fig2011.

Motion: That the General Assembly records the report for information.

Decision: The motion was adopted.

35. REPORT ON THE FIG WORKING WEEK 2012 IN ROME, ITALY, 6-11 MAY 2012

President Fausto Savoldi, Consiglio Nazionale Geometri e Geometri Laureati CNGGL gave a presentation on preparations of FIG Working Week 2012 at the first session on the General Assembly on 11th April 2010. The Working Week 2012 will be held in Rome, Italy 6-11 May 2012. Conference web site will be available at: www.fig.net/fig2012.

Motion: That the General Assembly records the report for information.

Decision: The motion was adopted.

36. CLOSING AND PRESENTATION OF CERTIFICATES OF APPRECIATION

President Stig Enemark made a closing speech for the FIG members and participants of the General Assembly as this was the last meeting for him as the FIG President. He made his special thanks to member associations and their presidents, corporate and other members. He also thanked his colleagues in the Council, Commission chairs and officers and the FIG office.

Mr. Warwick Watkins, Surveyor General, New South Wales made a proposal that the General Assembly should record its recognition to Prof. Stig Enemark for his outstanding leadership and strong commitment to FIG in his role as the FIG President.

The General Assembly agreed to this proposal by standing ovation.

The President formally closed the 33rd General Assembly of FIG.

CLOSING CEREMONY

President Stig Enemark presented his closing address that summarises the finding and the main out comes of the XXIV FIG Congress.

Appendix: Handouts of the President’s Closing Address (3.25 MB)

President Enemark presented at the closing ceremony certificates of appreciation to members of the local organising committee of the XXXIII FIG General Assembly and the XXIV FIG Congress. Special thanks were recorded to the Surveying and Spatial Sciences Institute, SSSI and its Acting President Jonathan Saxon, Congress Director Paul Harcombe and James Curnow, Chair of the Steering Committee of FIG 2010.

At the closing ceremony the FIG banner was handed over by Mr. Jonathan Saxon, Acting President of SSSI and Mr. Paul Harcombe, Congress Director to Mr. Aziz Hilali, President of ONIGT and Mohamed Ettarid, Congress Director of FIG Working Week 2011. The FIG Working Week 2011 will be held in Marrakech, Morocco, 18-22 May 2011.

Data supplied by the FIG Office. 

Whilst every effort has been made to ensure that this data is accurate errors might exist. Requests for updates and corrections should be emailed to the FIG Office.

This page is maintained by the FIG Office. Last revised on 20-04-15.