Listen to this content
First UAE government entity to join global geospatial organization
Dubai Municipality has become the first government entity in the United Arab Emirates to join the International GNSS Services (IGS), a global organization specializing in satellite-based geospatial systems, precision surveying, and global reference frameworks.
The IGS supports optimization of GNSS, plate tectonics monitoring, and the calculation of International Terrestrial Reference Frames (ITRFs).
This recognition reflects Dubai Municipality’s continued efforts to strengthen its surveying infrastructure and geospatial capabilities to support urban development, infrastructure planning, and construction. It also underscores the municipality’s commitment to advancing research in geodesy and hydrographic mapping, developing digital navigation maps, and contributing to global knowledge-sharing in the geospatial field.
By joining IGS, Dubai Municipality gains access to the GNSS service and the international reference framework used in scientific, commercial and educational applications. The IGS brings together more than 200 research institutions, universities and agencies from more than 100 countries, offering precise satellite orbit data and enabling high-accuracy positioning and mapping.
“Dubai Municipality’s accession to the International GNSS Services represents a major milestone that reinforces the position of Dubai and the UAE as global hubs for scientific innovation and geospatial excellence,” said Maryam Al Muhairi, CEO of the Buildings Regulation and Permits Agency at Dubai Municipality. “This membership enables collaboration with more than 350 members worldwide, including major scientific organizations and international institutions specializing in navigation, climate studies, Earth dynamics, and advanced surveying applications.”
She added that the membership would contribute to the implementation of Dubai Municipality’s strategic goals by enhancing surveying operations and 3D mapping, integrating research insights into infrastructure and urban planning projects, and promoting a smarter, more sustainable construction sector. It also supports Dubai’s digital twin ecosystem and the emirate’s vision for a globally leading, high-quality urban environment.
Membership will also facilitate collaboration in a range of specialized research fields, including coordinate system referencing, tectonic plate monitoring, Earth rotation studies, navigation systems development, and climate impact modeling.
