UNECE announces Workshop on Experiences with Data Management to Improve Land Administration in ECE Countries Sofia, 23-24 April 2009

Sofia

Data management is a key aspect for the modernization of land administration systems in the ECE region and it is particularly crucial for economies in transition, where the technical infrastructure is still being developed. Improved data management facilitates the everyday operations of cadastre and registration agencies, thus contributing to guarantee secure access to land and housing for citizens. In many countries of Eastern Eruope, South-Eastern Europe, the Caucasus and Central Asia the establishment of reliable data infrastructure poses a series of technical, legal, financial and administrative challenges to public authorities.

As part of its Programme of Work, The UNECE Working Party on Land Administration (WPLA) promotes sound land registration and cadastre data management to support security of tenure. Over the past years the WPLA has sought to evaluate the different policies implemented by member States to upgrade their surveying and data maintenance capacities, including the harmonization of national data-bases and the introduction of e-technologies and e-government services. In order to share experiences in these policy areas, the WPLA promotes increased international cooperation through sharing of knowledge, including the organization of workshops.

The workshop on “Experiences with data management to improve land administration in UNECE countries,” to take place in Sofia on 23 - 24 April 2009, will address specific challenges and opportunities related to data management. The workshop will discuss policy guidance and develop advice on how to upgrade land administration systems through improved spatial data infrastructure. The workshop will also review a plan to reform the cadastre and registration systems in Bulgaria, as lessons learned there are relevant for other countries in transition. New practices and technological applications for the establishment and maintenance of land administration data will also be discussed. Other issues to be addressed include the roles of state and private actors in the funding of information maintenance and obstacles and benefits of public access to information on land and real estate assets.

For more information on the workshop, and to view the programme and register, please visit the workshop website (www.cadastre.bg/RegForm.html).

For more information on the work of the UNECE Working Party on Land Administration (WPLA), please contact:

Ref: ECE/ENV/09/P07