Breakfast Roundtable

Why Geodesy Matters for the National Geospatial Ecosystem? (Invitation Only)

Date: 10th September 2025 // Time: 0730-0900 hrs

Background

Modern society is dependent on satellites. In many countries, satellite information is essential for economic growth, the operation of critical infrastructure, and is a cornerstone of national security and strategic capabilities. From mapping and navigation to real-time environmental intelligence, infrastructure modernization, autonomous systems, and disaster readiness, the accuracy and reliability of geospatial and positioning data depend on a robust and resilient global geodesy supply chain.

Despite this importance, the global geodesy supply chain is increasingly at risk due to underinvestment, institutional fragmentation, limited workforce capacity, and the lack of coordinated governance mechanisms. These vulnerabilities threaten the continuity, accuracy, and accessibility of geodetic services, with direct implications for national competitiveness, innovation capacity, and infrastructure resilience.

As the demand for real-time, high-precision positioning accelerates across sectors—including smart transportation, precision agriculture, infrastructure development, and digital networks—the global geodesy supply chain must be recognized as a strategic asset and investment priority. Multilateral coordination, public-private collaboration, and proactive policy leadership are now essential to ensure long-term operational continuity, technological advancement, and broad-based access to geospatial innovation.

Purpose of the Breakfast Roundtable

At the GeoGov Summit, being held on September 8-10, 2025, Hyatt Regency Dulles, USA, Geospatial World is organizing a high-level breakfast dialogue seeking to mobilize strategic stakeholders across the geospatial, space, infrastructure, and policy ecosystems to:

  • Promote active dialogue on global geodesy supply chain risks, investment needs, and governance models.
  • Build foundational understanding among practitioners and policymakers on the socio-economic value of a resilient global geodesy supply chain.
  • Gather expert input to shape a flagship policy and investment report that articulates the urgency, risks, and co-development imperatives for global geodetic infrastructure.

Themes & Objectives

Elevate Strategic Awareness

Highlight the economic and operational importance of geodesy and expose the systemic risks associated with its continued underinvestment.

Facilitate Multi-Sectoral Dialogue

Convene stakeholders from government, industry, academia, and international organizations to explore emerging models for coordination, and strategic investment.

Strengthen Workforce Capacity

Address capability gaps by emphasizing skills development, institutional support, and career pathways in geodesy.

Inform Policy and Investment Agendas

Use insights generated to advocate for increased recognition of geodesy within national infrastructure and policy agenda, global forums, innovation, and development strategies.

Proposed Agenda

Time Session Details
0730 - 0740

Welcome and Opening Session

Brief introduction to the purpose, goals, and context of the workshop
0740 - 0800

Keynote Address

Theme: Why Geodesy Matters for the National Geospatial Ecosystem?
0800 - 0830

Opening Remarks

  
0830 - 0850

Roundtable Input: Toward a Strategic Policy Report

Open Discussions – Strengthening the Resilience and Strategic Governance of the global geodesy supply chain

  • Understanding structural vulnerabilities in the global geodesy supply chain
  • Economic risks of underinvestment and identified priorities for investment and governance
  • Models for public-private and international cooperation
  • Addressing workforce development needs and opportunities for cross-sector alignment
0850 - 0900

Closing Reflections and Next Steps

Summary and key focus areas

Expected Outcomes

  • Shared understanding of risks and opportunities associated with the global geodesy supply chain.
  • Catalyst for action to position geodesy as a critical component of national and global resilience strategies.

Interested in joining this ‘invitation-only’ session? Write to Ananyaa Narain, VP-Consulting, Geospatial World, at ananya@geospatialworld.net for signing in.