Institut National de la Cartographie et de la Télédétection

Institut National de la Cartographie et de la Télédétection is a Tunisian institution responsible for the production and dissemination of cartography and remote sensing data, working closely with organizations such as the National Geographic Institute (France), European Space Agency, and United Nations Environment Programme. The institution collaborates with various international partners, including the International Cartographic Association, Committee on Earth Observation Satellites, and Group on Earth Observations. Its activities are aligned with the goals of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 9 and SDG 13, and it participates in initiatives such as the Global Earth Observation System of Systems.

● Introduction

The Institut National de la Cartographie et de la Télédétection plays a crucial role in providing geospatial data and mapping services to support the development of Tunisia, working in conjunction with institutions like the National Institute of Statistics (Tunisia), Tunisian Ministry of Environment, and African Association of Remote Sensing of the Environment. The institution's work is informed by international best practices and guidelines set by organizations such as the International Organization for Standardization, Open Geospatial Consortium, and United Nations Committee of Experts on Global Geospatial Information Management. Its expertise is also recognized by regional bodies, including the Arab League, African Union, and European Union, and it contributes to initiatives like the Pan-African Programme for the Development of Geology.

● History

The Institut National de la Cartographie et de la Télédétection was established in 1982 as part of the Tunisian Ministry of Agriculture, Water Resources and Fisheries (Tunisia), with the objective of promoting the use of cartography and remote sensing in the country, drawing on the expertise of institutions like the National Center for Space Studies (France), German Aerospace Center, and Italian Space Agency. Over the years, the institution has undergone significant transformations, including the adoption of new technologies and the expansion of its services to support various sectors, such as agriculture, urban planning, and environmental management, in collaboration with organizations like the Food and Agriculture Organization, United Nations Human Settlements Programme, and International Union for Conservation of Nature. The institution has also participated in international projects, including the Global Land Cover Network, African Regional Postgraduate Programme in Integrated Management of Tropical Forests, and Mediterranean Forest Research Agenda.

● Organization

The Institut National de la Cartographie et de la Télédétection is headed by a Director-General and is organized into several departments, including the Department of Cartography, Department of Remote Sensing, and Department of Geospatial Data Management, which work closely with institutions like the National School of Engineering (Tunisia), University of Tunis, and Tunisian Academy of Sciences, Letters, and Arts. The institution also has a strong partnership with international organizations, such as the United Nations Development Programme, World Bank, and European Investment Bank, and participates in regional initiatives, including the Arab Spatial Data Infrastructure, African Spatial Data Infrastructure, and Mediterranean Spatial Data Infrastructure.

● Activities

The Institut National de la Cartographie et de la Télédétection is involved in a wide range of activities, including the production of topographic maps, thematic maps, and orthophotos, using data from sources like the Landsat program, SPOT (satellite), and TerraSAR-X. The institution also provides remote sensing services, including image processing and data analysis, in collaboration with institutions like the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, European Organisation for the Exploitation of Meteorological Satellites, and International Society for Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing. Additionally, the institution offers training and capacity-building programs for professionals and students, in partnership with organizations like the United Nations Institute for Training and Research, International Centre for Theoretical Physics, and African Institute for Mathematical Sciences.

● Products_and_Services

The Institut National de la Cartographie et de la Télédétection offers a variety of products and services, including digital maps, geospatial databases, and remote sensing images, which are used by various stakeholders, including government agencies, private companies, and research institutions, such as the Tunisian Ministry of Interior, Tunisian Ministry of Transport, and University of Carthage. The institution also provides consulting services and technical assistance to support the development of geospatial infrastructure and spatial data management systems, in collaboration with organizations like the World Geospatial Industry Council, Open Source Geospatial Foundation, and International Association of Geodesy.

● Research_and_Development

The Institut National de la Cartographie et de la Télédétection is committed to research and development in the fields of cartography and remote sensing, working closely with institutions like the National Research Council (Tunisia), Tunisian Academy of Sciences, Letters, and Arts, and Arab Science and Technology Foundation. The institution participates in international research projects, including the Global Climate Observing System, International Polar Year, and Group on Earth Observations Biodiversity Observation Network, and collaborates with organizations like the European Space Agency, National Aeronautics and Space Administration, and Canadian Space Agency. Its research focuses on topics such as geospatial data integration, remote sensing applications, and spatial analysis, using techniques like machine learning, artificial intelligence, and data mining, and contributes to the development of new technologies and methods, such as unmanned aerial vehicles, satellite imagery, and geospatial big data analytics.

Category:National mapping agencies