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We are pleased to record that the Third High Level Forum on Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ Global Geospatial Information Management was held in Beijing, China, from 22-24 October 2014.

The Secretariat of the United Nations Committee of Experts on Global Geospatial Information Management (Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ-GGIM), in collaboration with the National Administration of Surveying, Mapping and Geoinformation of China (NASG), successfully convened the Third High Level Forum at NASG's Headquarters in Beijing. With the theme "Sustainable Development with Geospatial Information" the meeting brought together 261 participants from 44 countries, 9 United Nations representatives, and 27 representatives from international organizations and the private sector.

The Forum was opened by H.E. Kurexi Maihesuti, Vice Minister of Ministry of Land and Resources of China; Mr. Wu Hongbo, United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs; Mr. Eduardo Sojo, Co-Chair, Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ Committee of Experts on Global Geospatial Information Management; and Mr. Mark Cygan, of the Joint Board of Geospatial Information Societies.

Bringing all stakeholders together, the Third High Level Forum addressed the role of geospatial information in the post-2015 development agenda, and current critical sustainable development matters such as: mitigating and managing climate change and disasters; sustainable cities and human settlements; science, technology, and innovation to measure and monitor progress; and working together across borders and regions.

Recognizing the importance of geospatial information in national and global development, participants issued the Beijing Declaration at the conclusion of the Forum.