Saudi Arabia Ranks 1st Regionally, 9th Globally and 6th in G20 in Geospatial Field

A view of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on Nov. 15, 2024. (Reuters)
A view of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on Nov. 15, 2024. (Reuters)
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Saudi Arabia Ranks 1st Regionally, 9th Globally and 6th in G20 in Geospatial Field

A view of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on Nov. 15, 2024. (Reuters)
A view of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on Nov. 15, 2024. (Reuters)

Saudi Arabia, represented by the General Authority for Survey and Geospatial Information (GEOSA), has significantly advanced its geospatial knowledge infrastructure readiness by moving from the 32nd place in 2022 to ninth in the 2025 Geospatial Knowledge Infrastructure (GKI) Readiness Index. It ranked first in the Middle East and Arab world, and 6th among G20 nations.

The announcement was made during the first day of the Geospatial World Forum 2025, held in Madrid from April 22 to 25.

The GKI Readiness Index, developed by Geospatial World, is a strategic framework supported by the United Nations Statistics Division that aims to compare the readiness of countries in adopting geospatial knowledge and how their progress on the index promotes economic growth, sustainable development and digital transformation, said a GEOSA statement.

The GKI Readiness Index was built on several axes. The Kingdom ranked sixth globally in the policy axis through its pioneering experience in the governance of the national geospatial data system and the preparation of its policies, standards and specifications in accordance with international best practices.

It ranked seventh globally in the infrastructure axis for its pivotal role in unifying national efforts related to geospatial information, including building the national geospatial platform that represents the window of the national geospatial infrastructure available to benefit the public and private sectors, in addition to the academia, the non-profit sector, and individuals.

The Kingdom ranked eighth in the geospatial industry axis, which highlights its constructive role in building strategic partnerships in all sectors.

The Kingdom's progress in this index reflects the unlimited support given to the survey and geospatial information sector by the wise Saudi leadership and the minister of defense and chairman of GEOSA Board of Directors.

This support has led to the Kingdom assuming a leading position at the regional and global levels in the forefront of its peers among developed countries in the geospatial field. This progress also led to Riyadh being chosen as the headquarters for the United Nations Global Geospatial Ecosystem Center of Excellence, positioning the Kingdom as a global leader in innovative geospatial information management.

‏The GEOSA works, according to its mandate, to organize the survey, geospatial information and imaging sector in the Kingdom, including the adoption and development of the national geospatial infrastructure, and the establishment of basic and guiding standards and controls related to the sector to achieve the integrated use of the geospatial information system among all the stakeholders.



Al-Jubeir Stresses Saudi Support to Syria as Shaibani Warns of Attempts to Stoke Strife

Saudi Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Adel Al-Jubeir at the Baghdad summit on Saturday.
Saudi Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Adel Al-Jubeir at the Baghdad summit on Saturday.
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Al-Jubeir Stresses Saudi Support to Syria as Shaibani Warns of Attempts to Stoke Strife

Saudi Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Adel Al-Jubeir at the Baghdad summit on Saturday.
Saudi Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Adel Al-Jubeir at the Baghdad summit on Saturday.

Syria and Lebanon’s speeches at the Arab League Summit in Baghdad on Saturday reflected the extent of the dramatic changes in their country after the collapse of the Assad regime and the election of a new president in Lebanon, but challenges remain.

Addressing the summit, Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani warned against attempts to stoke strife in his country, adding that “ISIS gangs continue to violate Syria’s sovereignty and internal security.”

“Some sides want to fragment Syria and we call on Arabs to protect its unity and reject division,” he urged.

“Syria is being violated repeatedly by Israel, threatening to spark war in the south and undermining regional stability,” he said.

Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani attends the 34th Arab League summit in Baghdad on May 17, 2025. (AFP)

Moreover, he declared that Syria rejects hegemony over it and “will not be an arena for the conflicts of others.”

He acknowledged that Syria still faces “grave challenges and disputes over interests.”

Shaibani also hailed “every step that helps breaks Syria’s isolation and lifts sanctions off it.”

“The Syrian people are committed to their Arab identity. Syria belongs to all Syrians,” he added, revealing that his country was working on drafting a new constitution that consolidates the rule of law and the unity of Syrian territories.

It was also placing the finishing touches on parliamentary elections that represent all Syrians, the FM stated.

Saudi Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Adel Al-Jubeir underscored the Kingdom’s support for the Syrian government in confronting security challenges.

He praised US President Donald Trump’s decision this week to lift sanctions off Syria.

“This is a great opportunity for Syria’s recovery and to support its development,” he told the summit.

Trump made the announcement during the Saudi-US Investment Forum in Riyadh on Tuesday.

Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam shakes hands with Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein ahead of the 34th Arab League summit in Baghdad, Iraq, May 16, 2025. (Reuters)

Meanwhile, Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam said his country has opened a new chapter in its history based on reform in all fields.

“We want to impose the sovereignty of the Lebanese state throughout all of its territories and assert that the state is the party that controls the decision of war and peace,” he added.

During a meeting with United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on the sidelines of the summit, he expressed Lebanon’s “categorical rejection of Israeli violations against the country, urging an immediate halt to the attacks.”

He reiterated his government’s commitment to full cooperation with the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) in preserving security and stability along the Blue Line border with Israel.

He noted however, that Israel’s continued occupation of some Lebanese territories is a flagrant violation of international resolutions.