Faroese Environment Agency joins EuroGeographics

The Faroese Environment Agency, responsible for national mapping activities including land mapping and hydrographic surveying, has recently joined EuroGeographics, the representative body for European national mapping, cadastral and land registration authorities (NMCAs). The Faroe Islands, a self-governing archipelago of 18 mountainous islands situated in the North Atlantic Ocean between Iceland and Scotland, operate under the external sovereignty of the Kingdom of Denmark.

At the 2024 General Assembly, hosted by the National Geographic Institute, Spain, and supported by the General Directorate for Cadastre, EuroGeographics members approved the agency's application for associate membership. This decision, made in the presence of 115 delegates from 37 countries, marks a significant milestone in collaboration.

Trusted geospatial information

Dr Sigurð í Jákupsstovu, director general of the Faroese Environment Agency, expressed enthusiasm for the membership, citing the value demonstrated at EuroGeographics' 2023 General Assembly and workshop. He emphasized the importance of pan-European cooperation, extending beyond Nordic collaboration.

Sallie Payne Snell, secretary-general and executive director of EuroGeographics, welcomed the Faroese Environment Agency, highlighting the privilege of representing providers of trusted geospatial information essential to European citizens. She underscored EuroGeographics' collaborative approach, leveraging collective expertise across borders for the public good.

The Faroe Islands constitute a rugged and rocky archipelago, characterized by their challenging survey environment. Persistent cool and cloudy weather, along with strong winds and frequent heavy rain throughout the year, present demanding conditions for conducting surveys. Despite these challenges, mapping and tracking urban development are crucial for documenting land use across the territories and monitoring the frequent changes to the nearby coastline, typical of island territories.