The congress ‘Facing the Challenges - Building the Capacity', hosted by the International Federation of Surveyors (FIG) and the Surveying and Spatial Sciences Institute (SSSI), to take place in Sydney, Australia from 11th to 16th April 2010 is expected to bring together thousands of surveying and spatial professionals from across the globe. It is guaranteed to offer a stimulating professional development programme, with many networking opportunities; your chance to keep abreast of the latest developments and broader aspects of surveying.

The congress programme will showcase the work of FIG and its commissions, task forces and permanent institutions. The programme will be underpinned by invited presentations in four plenary sessions covering major challenges for society and the profession in the 21st century. There will also be as many as eighty technical and poster sessions, along with workshops and pre-congress seminars. Delegates will be offered a range of very interesting technical tours aimed at highlighting the role of our profession in Australia and set within the broad context of FIG Commissions. The programme provides for pre-conference workshops (10th and 11th April 2010) which may be run by sponsors, exhibitors and other interested parties. Further information will be available on the congress website (1). The congress is complemented by a major international trade show.

A two-day workshop on 9th and 10th April 2010, in association with the FIG Permanent Institution on the History of Surveying and Measurement, will be attached to the congress. The workshop will examine the development of the surveying profession in Australia and be held in Old Government House in Parramatta, the oldest existing public building in Australia. The workshop will include a focus on the first Surveyors General of the Australian States and Territories, with the interesting twist that presentations will be made by the current Surveyors General of those States and Territories.

With the congress being held in Sydney, on the doorstep to the Pacific region, it is appropriate for it to include a special seminar looking at the issues confronting so-called ‘Small Island Developing States'. These island nations face special challenges as they struggle with land-governance issues associated with achieving the Millennium Development Goals. This seminar (14th April 2010) will bring together decision makers and practitioners from several Island States, with land-governance experts drawn from many areas across the FIG membership. FIG will also involve its key UN partner organisations interested in helping to meet the challenges facing Small Island Developing States.

The deadline for submission of full papers is 21st January 2010; a summary must have been accepted. Early registration is possible before 28th January 2010 (website 2); author registration before 28th January 2010. Standard registration is possible until 8th March 2010; late registration after 8th March 2010.