Resources

International Federation of Surveyors (FIG) Working Week

GOVERNMENT OF THE KINGDOM OF TONGA

MINISTRY OF LANDS AND NATURAL RESOURCES

PRESS RELEASE

International Federation of Surveyors (FIG) Working Week

Southbank, Brisbane. 5^th-10^th April 2025

Collaboration, Innovation, and Resilience: Championing a Digital Generation

Nuku’alofa, Tonga- The Ministry of Lands, Survey, Planning and Natural Resources was cordially invited to join the International Federation of Surveyors Working Week held in Brisbane, Australia on the 5^th-10^th of April 2025. The International Federation of Surveyors is an international, non-government organisation whose purpose is to support international collaboration for the progress of surveying in all fields and applications. It represents the interest of surveyors worldwide. FIG was founded in 1878 in Parish and today, it has members from 120 countries throughout the world.

Participatory highlights from our Officials to the FIG Working Week is stated in the following:

• At FIG’s highest platform- Tonga was invited to speak on the FIG Plenary on the topic, “Resilient through Land Management: Value of Linking People, Climate and Land. It demonstrate the fact that how we live and where we live is no longer safe especially on our coastal areas are vulnerable to the impact of climate change and natural disasters and hazards. Tonga emphasized the need to have a modern land administration system to support sustainable development and resilience.
• Tonga reemphasised the vulnerability of Small Island Developing States (SIDS) to climate change and disasters. Normally we are always at the receiving end, but we demonstrated, that we can also contribute to the discussions and development on Land Management, Surveying and Geospatial Information Management. The level of expertise Tonga has showcased throughout the Plenary Sessions has drawn attention of the federation- opening to new ideas, options forward and recommendations from SIDS. This gives an opportunity for expertise from SIDS to share knowledge, capabilities and to inform and educate global audience and experts.
• The FIG Young Surveyors Network and Women in Geospatial Network’s high recognition of Tonga’s young female surveyor and geospatial officials- for their vast knowledge and expertise in their field of work.
• A supporting mechanism for the ministry through negotiations on opportunities of funding for surveying equipment, software, computers, drones, and trainings.
• Opportunities for capacity and professional development, post graduate research in specialised area in land management, surveying and geospatial information was also identified.

The Working Week included more than hundred sessions and three plenaries, and Annual General Assembly of the FIG with over thousand participants from 120 countries. However, pre-event sessions was held on Saturday 5^th April includes Young Surveyors Network session, Reference Frame in Practice Seminar and the ArcGIS Parcel Fabric for Modern Cadastral System.

The delegation from Tonga was led by Mr. Viliami Folau- Deputy CEO and Director of Surveying, Mr. Siaosi Mafi- Acting Chief Surveyor, Ms. Yumi Nafe- Acting Chief Geospatial Officer and Ms. Ansela Fifita- Acting Chief Geodetic Surveyor.

His Majesty Cabinet approved the Ministry of Lands, Survey, Planning, and Natural Resources to be an Affiliate Member of FIG in 2023. The FIG Working Week will be held in Cape Town, South Africa in 2026.

The Ministry of Lands, Survey, Planning and Natural Resources remains committed to fostering ties with the International Federation of Surveyors and ensuring local contributions is addressed. For more information, contact the Ministry of Lands, Survey, Planning and Natural Resources at +6767401301 or visit our website at www.lands.gov.to

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