The 23rd International Cartographic Conference (ICC) took place in Moscow in August and provided an opportunity for cartographers from around the world to meet, present, debate and network at a high intellectual level. The quality of papers and posters presented was excellent and the programme covered the full range of cartographic activity: research, production, use, history and areas of application. Twenty-six themes were established by the Russian organising committee, most reflecting areas of interest of ICA Commissions and Working Groups. The most popular sessions included SDIs, generalisation, electronic atlases, history and research & development. More than five hundred papers and nearly 150 posters were presented, and more than a thousand delegates attended from 62 countries.

Exhibition
The conference was opened by the Russian Minister for Transport, Igor Levitin, who expressed pleasure in welcoming cartographers from around the world. The conference director was Alexander Borodko, head of the Federal Agency for Geodesy and Cartography, whose opening address invited delegates to discover the strengths of the heritage and current state of Russian carto­graphy. Such strengths were particularly evident in the International Cartographic Exhibition, the usual display of stunning and innovative mapping visible every two years at ICCs. Here, over nine hundred maps, atlases, globes and electronic atlases wereon show, along with two hundred hydrographic chart products, representing the best cartography from around the world. The children’s map competition was held alongside, and a full technical exhibition by commercial companies also occupied the trade-hall of the All-Russia Exhibition Centre. In addition, the exhibition “Masterpieces of Russian Cartography” in the Russian State Library gave a glimpse of the massive stock of historical maps stored there.

Important Meetings
The General Assembly that took place during the ICC has already been reported in the November issue of GIM International. The many other gatherings included business meetings, one of each Commission and open to all, where activities over the past four years were reported upon and plans for the period 2007-2011 developed. There were also meetings of other special-interest groups such as students and members of the Joint Board of Geospatial Information Societies. Fifteen student delegates were recipients of travel grants, awarded to encourage attendance and presentations from youngsters. The gathering of National Mapping Organisations directors and staff organised by ICA past president Konecny, Ramon Lorenzo (Spain) and Alexander Borodko was particularly important in maintaining and developing vital links between ICA and national mapping agencies worldwide.

ICCs are busy occasions at which take place many activities, intellectual and social. ICA was pleased to have the opportunity of experiencing these in Moscow.