Riyadh Named Headquarters for Arab Division of Experts on Geographical Names Secretariat.

Riyadh: The Arab Division of Experts on Geographical Names, a segment of the United Nations Group of Experts on Geographical Names (UNGEGN) under the UN Economic and Social Council, has decided to establish its secretariat headquarters in Riyadh. This decision was made during a meeting held on the sidelines of its 10th forum, with the Kingdom's General Authority for Survey and Geospatial Information (GEOSA) taking on the hosting responsibilities. According to Saudi Press Agency, the three-day forum, which concluded under the patronage of Minister of Defense and Chairman of the Board of Directors of GEOSA Prince Khalid bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, saw participation from officials, experts, and specialists from 22 Arab countries, alongside international committees and organizations. The forum ended with several key recommendations, including the publication of a standardized geographical names index for each member country. It also urged Arab countries lacking dedicated committees to establish national committees or authorities for geographical names. Additionally, it was proposed that the 11th forum on geographical names be held in 2026, with potential locations being the Syrian Arab Republic or the Republic of Sudan. By hosting the forum, the Kingdom demonstrated its commitment to supporting collective Arab efforts in the field of geographical names. The aim was to enhance Arab cultural identity, facilitate the exchange of views, ideas, and expertise, and raise awareness about the significance of geographical names. Furthermore, the forum emphasized the use of technology in addressing geographical names and promoting research and innovation in the field.