Position Paper by Dr. Zaffar Sadiq Mohamed-Ghouse, Chair of Policy Committee, World Geospatial Industry Council.
Introduction: The Case for a Collaborative Approach
Geospatial technology is rapidly evolving, offering powerful tools for national development, infrastructure, environmental monitoring, and more. While governments are responsible for setting policies that regulate and guide this progress, the private sector is often the main driver of innovation, implementation, and scalability.
Policy development has been led by government institutions, with some involvement of private sector involvement. With technological change outpacing policy frameworks, the need for proactive, co-designed policies by including private sector at early stages has benefits for an inclusive policy. Private sector players are not just implementers or service providers; they are partners with deep technical expertise and real-world insights. To fully unlock the benefits of geospatial technologies, governments consider embrace the private sector as a co-developer of policy.
The Private Sector’s Critical Role in Policy Development
While government policy rightly focuses on national security, productivity, and public interest, the private sector contributes essential capabilities that ensure such policies are practical, scalable, and innovation-friendly.
The industry brings:
- Experience with real-world implementation across various markets
- Ability to scale technology rapidly and cost-effectively
- Knowledge of commercialization models and operational constraints
- Insights into global trends and ethical implications of new technologies
Yet, despite being the most impacted by new regulations, the private sector is often consulted as a formality, long after the policy structure is already decided. This leads to misalignment between policy intent and its operational impact.
Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) are a clear example. Many PPP initiatives are constrained by outdated policies that do not reflect the dynamic needs of the industry. While government concerns about security and governance are valid, these must be balanced with flexibility to accommodate innovation and fast-paced deployment models.
Moreover, the private sector can support governments in designing more responsive procurement systems, identifying regulatory blind spots, and helping bridge the digital divide through inclusive technology deployment.
Policy as an Enabler, not a Constraint
For geospatial technology to be used effectively and responsibly, policy must evolve from being a reactive tool to a strategic enabler. This involves not just setting rules but creating an ecosystem that supports responsible innovation, investment, and equitable access.
A well-designed policy should:
- Provide clear guidance without stifling innovation
- Enable cross-border data interoperability and ethical data use
- Support investment from the private sector through certainty and incentives
- Promote accessibility and digital inclusion, especially in underserved regions
- Be adaptive to emerging trends, such as generative AI, privacy concerns, and data ethics
Unlike industries where policy is driven by visible disruptions (e.g., environmental damage in energy sectors), geospatial technology often creates silent disruptions such as privacy risks or unchecked data flows. This makes proactive policy design even more crucial.
Industry associations like the World Geospatial Industry Council (WGIC) play a key role in shaping this future by producing policy reports, white papers, and thought leadership that serve as recorded knowledge for both industry and government. These resources not only influence bids and business decisions but also help governments understand operational realities.
Building a Framework for Proactive Policy Co-Design
To transition to a more collaborative model of policy-making, certain steps must be taken:
Early and Meaningful Engagement
Governments should involve private sector stakeholders from the beginning of the policy design process, not just at the consultation stage. Industry experts can provide valuable input on feasibility, emerging risks, and technology implications.
Institutionalized Co-Design Mechanisms
Establish permanent joint working groups, policy labs, or innovation councils where government and industry collaborate regularly within the UN-GGIM framework.
Agile and Impact-Driven Communication
Instead of waiting for annual reports, industry should produce short, impactful outputs, such as policy snapshots, podcasts, blogs, and rapid response papers—to address disruptions as they arise. This ensures that both government and the private sector remain aligned and responsive.
Balanced and Ethical Policy for Emerging Technologies
With the rise of tools like Generative AI, there is a growing need for ethical frameworks and balanced regulations. The private sector must take responsibility in shaping these frameworks, ensuring that innovation aligns with public trust and global norms.
Supportive Procurement and Investment Policies
Governments should modernize their procurement models to reflect the speed and complexity of today’s technology landscape. The private sector can assist in crafting these policies, drawing from their experience across global markets.
Conclusion
Policy is not just a regulatory tool. It is a driver of innovation, inclusion, and progress. In the geospatial domain, it must evolve to reflect the realities of a rapidly transforming industry. Governments cannot and should not shoulder this responsibility alone.
The private sector, with its deep expertise and practical insights, must be seen as a co-creator of policy. By engaging the industry early, adopting agile policy-making models, and leveraging platforms like WGIC for global coordination, we can ensure that geospatial policy becomes a tool for empowerment, not constraint.
A collaborative, forward-looking policy framework will not only enhance national productivity and digital equity but also position geospatial technologies as a cornerstone of sustainable development and technological leadership.
