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“Sustainable and resilient recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic that promotes the economic, social and environmental dimensions of sustainable development: building an inclusive and effective path for the achievement of the 2030 Agenda in the context of the decade of action and delivery for sustainable development”.
1. For nearly 60 years, the United Nations Group of Experts on Geographical Names (UNGEGN) has been promoting the recording of locally-used names reflecting the languages and traditions of a country. The Group’s goal is for every country to have a fully functioning and globally-aligned structure and policy framework, based on common principles for national standardization of authorized geographical names that identify location and respect the associated culture and heritage, and to have these names easily accessible for national and international use. UNGEGN’s cooperative framework consisting of its Bureau, 24 geographical/linguistic divisions, nine topical working groups and liaison representatives, promotes geographical names standardization through its resolutions, sessions, technical seminars, publications, website and training activities.
2. While access to accurate and timely geographical names data and efficient and effective data management practices and procedures are fundamental to policy formulation, project and programme development, and implementation leading to sustainable development. The importance and benefits of geographical names standardization and romanization is not well known and understood by others in related disciplines. In addition, there is a lack of resources to assist Member States that have low levels of geographical names standardization. The Bureau of the Group of Experts is therefore using the opportunity of the High-Level Political Forum to highlight country case studies on the importance of standardized geographical names in management of the COVID-19 Pandemic. Cases studies were provided by experts from Austria, Indonesia, and Saudi Arabia.
