OGC and DGIWG Announce Memorandum of Understanding

Open Geospatial Consortium, Inc. OGC)(MD, USA) has announced the signing of a formal Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Digital Geospatial Information Working Group (DGIWG) Secretariat and the OGC.

DGIWG, established in 1983, is a standardisation body now comprised of 18 nations whose first objective was to set up an effective exchange standard allowing for the transfer of data between the countries' military geospatial production agencies, to meet NATO geospatial requirements. A current objective is to help develop and to encourage the use of technical standards that enable improved interoperability and integration of geospatial information systems. DGIWG wishes to transition from creating military specific standards to using consensus industry and international standards wherever possible.

To help meet this objective and to support the mission of the OGC, DGIWG and OGC have agreed to formalise their collaboration on programs for outreach, education and capacity building that benefit both DGIWG and OGC members, and to maximise each organisation's ability to review and comment on specifications and standards being advanced through their respective processes.

The OGC and DGIWG will at times collocate their meetings to provide an opportunity for the OGC and DGIWG member outreach, networking and discussion of programs and issues.