National geospatial data is a public good

Patricia Sokacova, Head of Membership and Communications at EuroGeographics and one of the speakers at the International Spatial Data Conference 2026, will present the role of national spatial data infrastructures and opportunities for cooperation from a European perspective. Ahead of the conference, we asked her in a short interview about managing geospatial data as a public good, the requirements for cross-border cooperation, and the role that authoritative national geospatial data might play in the age of artificial intelligence.

What has been the most valuable lesson learned in developing your country’s National Spatial Data Infrastructure including its institutional, regulatory and collaborative aspects?

From a European perspective, the most important lesson is that an NSDI is not only a technical infrastructure. It depends on openness, communication and active cooperation between data providers and users, at both managerial and technical levels. The objective should be to treat public-sector geospatial data as a strategic public asset that can be reused across government and, where appropriate, at European level

What makes cooperation successful in the geospatial sector?

Successful cooperation requires trust, communication and knowledge sharing. At European level, it means agreeing common approaches, standards and specifications so that national data works across borders. EuroGeographics’ pan-European datasets are a unique example of this.

What do you see as the biggest challenge in making geospatial data more accessible and widely reusable?

Data needs to be collected, maintained, updated, quality-checked, documented, transformed and made interoperable. A sustainable data-sharing model therefore needs sustainable public funding which in turn requires decision-makers to understand the value of authoritative geospatial information.

How will AI shape the geospatial sector in the coming years?

AI will make geospatial data more valuable, but it will not replace the need for authoritative sources. Trustworthy AI depends on high-quality, current and well-provenanced data, making national geospatial information an essential foundation.

What is the key message you would like to share and discuss with the audience in Budapest?

National geospatial data is both a national asset and a building block for European geospatial infrastructure – investing in it benefits both Hungary and Europe. As an active member of EuroGeographics, Lechner Non-profit Ltd, is ensuring Hungarian data and expertise is included in important pan-European initiatives whilst also preserving national ownership and responsibility.