Category Archives: Latest News

A group of Master’s level students from Hasan Prishtina University of Kosovo, profile “Sustainable Urban and Regional Planning”, conducted on November 7, a study visit to ASIG within the framework of the cooperation agreement between these two institutions.

The purpose of this visit is to deepen the students’ knowledge of the functioning and role of GIS systems in planning processes, based on ASIG’s best practices.

ASIG experts introduced the young people from Kosovo to the field of activity of our institution, the functionalities of the National Geoportal and concrete illustrations of how the process is carried out from field data collection to processing in GIS software (ArcGIS, QGIS).

This visit focused on providing a learning, practical and inspiring experience, to help students understand how geospatial information is transformed into decision-making and urban planning and development.

TAIEX experts held, in collaboration with State Authority for Geospatial Information (ASIG), a three-day workshop on 30 September – 2 October 2025, at the premises of Hotel Monarc in Tirana, with the aim of supporting Albania in the implementation of the legal framework for the National Geospatial Data Infrastructure (NSDI) and the implementation of the European Union INSPIRE Directive.

The main issues addressed during the workshop were:

• The current state of implementation of the INSPIRE Directive at EU level and best practices from the Cartographic Authority of the Republic of Slovenia and the Dutch Cadastral Authority.

• Presentation by ASIG experts of the current progress of NSDI development in Albania, cooperation with Public Authorities Responsible for the collection, processing and publication of geospatial data on geoinformation topics.

• Procedures and tools for quality control of geospatial data in our country.

• Implementation of the EU Open Data Directive and publication of high-value data, as well as their adaptation to INSPIRE standards and specifications.

• Experience of EU member states in providing data through standardized APIs (WMS/WMTS, OGC API Features).

• International and European trends for NSDI development, including the UN-GGIM vision and EU interoperability strategies.

• Open discussions on the most appropriate legal and financial model for Albania in building a functional and sustainable NSDI.

• Capacity building, awareness raising and use of distance learning methods in the field of geoinformation.

TAIEX experts assessed the work done by ASIG on the collection, processing and publication of geospatial data in the National Geoportal as well as the drafting and approval of geoinformation standards in line with the INSPIRE Directive.

At the end of this workshop, they provided concrete recommendations for improving the quality, harmonization and publication of data and practices from EU countries that can be adapted to Albania.

The national geoid model of Albania, ALBGEOID2024, has been published in the scientific symposium “IAG Symposia” of the International Association of Geodesy (IAG), published by Springer Nature.

This publication shows that ALBGEOID2024 has successfully passed the evaluation process by foreign experts in the field, certifying its reliability, quality and scientific validity.

The “IAG Symposia” series includes the most prominent contributions of the symposia of the International Association of Geodesy (IAG) and addresses fundamental topics of global geodesy such as:

· Geodetic reference frames,

· Earth’s gravity field,

· Geodynamics and Earth’s rotation,

· Positioning and engineering applications.

The publication of the ALBGEOID2024 Model in this prestigious series places Albania on the map of international contributions in the field of geodesy and represents a major step forward towards building a unified and reliable national geospatial infrastructure.

This model will serve as the supporting basis for a modern vertical geodetic reference with high accuracy, which will be further improved through:

· Densification of the third-order gravimetric network,

· Extension of the first-order leveling network.

Covering the entire territory of the Republic of Albania in accordance with the most advanced European and international standards, the ALBGEOID2024 Model is the result of the use of contemporary techniques for modeling the gravity field, as well as the integration of data from various sources, including:

· Ground gravimetric measurements,

· Global geopotential and altimetric models,

· Local and global digital terrain models (DTM),

· GNSS and leveling measurements.

This combination of data has enabled the construction of a model with high scientific quality and complete reliability, suitable for a wide range of practical and scientific applications.

The full scientific text can be read at the link below.

https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/1345_2025_289

Representatives of State Authority for Geospatial Information (ASIG) participated in the Scientific Assembly of the International Association of Geodesy (IAG 2025), which took place in Rimini, Italy, from 1 to 5 September.

This international event with the theme “Geodesy for a Changing Environment” provided a unique platform for the exchange of ideas and advanced practices in the field of geodesy, including the challenges of environmental change and extreme natural events.

The topics of the assembly were addressed in four IAG committees:

• Reference Frame,

• Gravity Field,

• Orientation and Geodynamics,

• Positioning and Applications.

Which ensured that the discussions and presentations focused on all key aspects of the science of geodesy from references and gravitational fields, to geodynamics and advanced positioning applications.

ASIG represented by Mr. Oltjon Balliu, Head of the Albanian Geodetic Reference Frame Sector (KRGJSH) and Mr. Dylber Peposhi, Specialist in the CORS Systems Infrastructure Sector (ALBCORS), presented the model of The Albanian Gravimetric and Hybrid Geoid — ALBGEOID 2024, as an essential instrument for the construction of a modern vertical geodetic reference. This model, which was followed with interest and was appreciated by senior European and international experts, represents an important step towards improving the country’s geospatial infrastructure and creating sustainable bases for scientific and engineering applications.

This activity once again demonstrated the success achieved so far by the ASIG staff, the stages that ASIG has completed for the construction of the geodetic infrastructure, the methodology and the successful creation of a national geodetic data structure based on important data for the KRGJSH.

ASIG’s participation in IAG 2025 strengthens Albania’s role in the international scientific arena and positions the country as an active actor in facing global environmental challenges. This commitment supports the strategic objectives for European integration and for the sustainable development of the national geospatial infrastructure, in accordance with the INSPIRE Directive and the priorities of sustainable development.

Also, participation in an event of this magnitude was important for increasing human and professional capacities, through discussions on geodetic networks, horizontal and vertical references, geoid models and advanced measurement methods, exchange of experiences and cooperation with international authorities and experts, strengthening institutional ties and opening perspectives for joint projects.

The State Authority for Geospatial Information (ASIG) informs high school students and the broader educational community about the opportunity to participate in the international competition “Ecoview 2025”, a global educational initiative aimed at promoting youth engagement in environmental issues and sustainable development through the use of Remote Sensing technologies and freely accessible satellite data.

The competition is organized by the National Centre “Junior Academy of Sciences of Ukraine” and is open to students aged 14–18, who are invited to develop research projects on selected environmental topics such as climate change, air pollution, forest and water protection, or land use, using real-world data from satellite sources.

Participants will have access to guidance materials, online courses, and virtual training provided by the organizers through dedicated platforms. The competition will be conducted entirely online, in English, and participation is free of charge.

Competition timeline:

• Until October 31, 2025: Registration and project submission
• November 1–20, 2025: Evaluation of submitted projects by the international jury
• December 5, 2025: Online presentation of finalist projects via Zoom

How to apply?

• Register via the official form:

 https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdoE_nhrdalgARfVNfpCqfFoY7lA9DXz0RAYVFj228_yqXAIA/viewform

• Submit your project by email to: gis_rs@man.gov.ua

• For more information, the official participant’s guide, and training resources:
  https://man.gov.ua/en/contests/mizhnarodnij-konkurs-ekopoglyad

The cooperation agreement between State Authority for Geospatial Information (ASIG), represented by the General Director Ms. Vlima Tomço and the Agricultural University of Tirana (UBT), represented by the Rector Mr. Fatbardh Sallaku, was signed yesterday on 02.06.2025, at the premises of the Agricultural University of Tirana.

This agreement consists of several key points such as;

1. Joint engagement in the project “Establishment of the Geoinformation Center for Sustainable Development in the Western Balkans”,
2. Implementation of national and international research projects,
3. Promotion and implementation of joint activities in the field of higher education,
4. Exchange of knowledge, including professional literature, textbooks and university publications,
5. Exchange of materials and results of study and research work,
6.  Provision of spaces for the development of professional teaching practices.

With the aim of formalizing the framework of cooperation between ASIG and UBT, thanks to this agreement, the most efficient use and exchange of inter-institutional information is aimed, strengthening human resource capacities through the preparation of new specialists in accordance with national development priorities, as well as promoting the use of modern technology in the field of geoinformation.