The conference brought together over 900 experts

Photo: Liliya Yotova

With an exceptionally strong edition, the 26th World Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Day in Bulgaria was held on November 19 at Grand Hotel Millennium Sofia and brought together more than 900 experts from the public administration, local government, business, academia, and the non-governmental sector. The prestigious forum is officially organized by Esri Bulgaria with 70 leading partners from various sectors.

The large-scale GIS conference was opened by Grozdan Karadjov, Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Bulgaria, who stated that the Ministry of Transport and Communications (MTC) increasingly needs Geographic Information Systems. He defined as particularly important the role of GIS in the development of the Unified Information Point, on which the ministry cooperates with Esri Bulgaria for the integration of spatial data for all types of networks and underground infrastructure.

The official opening of the forum also included: Krasimir Nenov, Deputy Minister of Energy; Doncho Barbalov, Deputy Minister of Economy and Industry; Miglena Kuzmanova, Managing Director of Esri Bulgaria; Svetoslav Tsarovski, Head of the Military Geographic Service of the Ministry of Defense; and Solomon Passy, President of the Atlantic Club in Bulgaria.

Special guests of the forum were Dr. Bruno Combal from the European Commission and Arkadiusz Sadkowski, Global Manager “Reality Mapping Solutions” at Esri. Dr. Combal presented key European policies in the field of biodiversity, Natura 2000 and environmental standards, as well as the role of GIS and open geodata in their implementation. Sadkowski demonstrated the latest trends in reality mapping, digital twins and geospatial analyses for planning, infrastructure and management of natural resources.

During the technological session, participants were introduced to the latest capabilities of the ArcGIS platform through a series of live demonstrations. Next-generation solutions for working with geographic data, integrated assistants and generative artificial intelligence for increasing productivity were presented, as well as the latest techniques for reality mapping and building digital twins. Emphasis was also placed on the new level of integration between GIS and BIM, modern GIS tools for infrastructure management, the capabilities of ArcGIS for imagery, real-time analysis and geospatial solutions for intelligence. New mobile GIS applications for automation of field activities were also presented, along with a number of other innovations that turn ArcGIS into an even more powerful environment for analysis, visualization and operational work.

Strong interest was also generated by the projects implemented in Bulgaria over the past year. The Geodesy, Cartography and Cadastre Agency presented the development of the new integrated GIS platform for spatial data at national level. The Ministry of Transport and Communications demonstrated the upgrading of the strategic system Unified Information Point. The Ministry of Interior revealed new solutions for information support and analysis related to counteracting crime and illegal migration. A GIS solution for the Green System of Sofia Municipality was also presented, as well as the integrated GIS system for municipal property and spatial planning of the Municipality of Silistra.

In the evening, the celebration of World GIS Day continued with an official ceremony for presenting the annual awards for special achievements in GIS. The awards are granted for the application of the most modern geospatial technologies for modernization, efficiency and sustainable development.

In the “Central Administration” category, the award was granted to the Ministry of Environment and Water for the integrated approach in the implementation of GIS technologies for sustainable management of protected areas and natural resources. The award was accepted by Minister Manol Genov and was presented by Arkadiusz Sadkowski from Esri.

In the “Executive Administration” category, the Geodesy, Cartography and Cadastre Agency was awarded for the implementation of the new national integrated GIS system for spatial data. The award was presented to Eng. Georgi Georgiev, Executive Director of AGCC, by Pavlin Petrov, Deputy Minister of Tourism.

The award in the “Local Government” category was received by the Municipality of Silistra for the strategic GIS project for automation and management of municipal property and spatial planning. The award was presented to Eng. Evgeni Georgiev, Deputy Mayor of the Municipality, by Deputy Minister of Labour and Social Policy Ivan Krastev.

In the category “Science in Support of the State”, the National University Center “Geospatial Research and Technologies” at Sofia University was awarded for contribution to the application of GIS for analyses and actions in natural disasters. The award was accepted by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Parvan Parvanov, Vice-Rector of Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski”. The award was presented by Deputy Minister of Interior Lyubomir Yosifov.

In the “Private Sector” category, “Fantastico Group” Ltd. was awarded for the implementation of a modern web-based GIS application, which integrates data from various sources – NSI, GRAO, AGCC and others – with the aim of building a comprehensive spatial picture of the areas of interest. The award was accepted by Todor Levenov, Director “Expansion and Property Management” at Fantastico Group Ltd. The award was presented by Vesela Kalacheva, Executive Director of the Bulgarian Association of Information Technologies (BAIT).

Within the framework of the presentation of the annual awards for special achievements in GIS, the winners of the first national student hackathon “GIS and Climate: Solutions for the Future” were also awarded. The jury awarded two first places due to an equal number of points of the projects. One of the first awards is for “Millennial Tarnovo” by the team Anna Beeva, Ina Vasileva, Sofia Yakovleva and Yanitsa Ivanova (Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski”), which analyzes the climate vulnerabilities of the historic city through GIS modeling. The other first award is for the project “Climate Challenges for Park-Museum ‘Vrana’” by the team of Ekaterina Kamenova, Simoni Bataklieva and Yavor Antov (Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski”), which presents a geospatial analysis of climate risks and proposals for adaptation. The third place was awarded to the project “Together We Make the Decisions of the Future” by the team Valentin Kabadiyski, Dimitar Dimitrov, Irina Ivanova and Stoyan Stoyanov (University of Mining and Geology “St. Ivan Rilski”), which presents a GIS model for assessment of flood risk in the watershed of the Skat River.

World GIS Day in Bulgaria is organized by Esri Bulgaria:

With the support of:

Schneider Electric; Geografika; Endurosat; HERE Technologies; Telelink Business Services; Ciela Norma and Agora 66.

With the partnership of:

Bulgarian Academy of Sciences; Faculty of Geology and Geography, Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski”; Faculty of Economics, Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski”; Faculty of Mathematics and Informatics, Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski”; University of Architecture, Civil Engineering and Geodesy; University of Mining and Geology “St. Ivan Rilski”; University of Forestry; Bulgarian Geographical Society; Bulgarian Cartographic Association; American Chamber of Commerce in Bulgaria; National Association of Municipalities in the Republic of Bulgaria; Foundation for Local Government Reform; Bulgarian Association of Information Technologies (BAIT); Bulgarian Association of Software Companies (BASSCOM); AFCEA Sofia Section; Atlantic Club in Bulgaria; Union of Surveyors and Land Managers in Bulgaria; Bulgarian Construction Chamber; Union of Architects in Bulgaria; Chamber of Architects in Bulgaria; Union of Urban Planners in Bulgaria; Bulgarian Water Association; Institute for Transport Infrastructure; Institute for Road Safety; Bulgarian Red Cross; “Green Balkans” Association; Bulgarian Mining and Geological Chamber; Bulgarian Natural Gas Association; Association of Police Chiefs; Move.bg; Digital National Coalition; Bulgarian Industrial Association; Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry; CMDR CEO; Alliance of the Technological Industry; Electronic Communications Association; BAGIS;

SCGIS Chapter Bulgaria (Society for Conservation GIS – Bulgaria Chapter); Technical University of Sofia; New Bulgarian University; University of National and World Economy; National University Center for Geospatial Research and Technologies at Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski”; University of Library Studies and Information Technologies (ULSIT); University of Telecommunications and Post;

Ruse University “Angel Kanchev”; “Georgi Stoykov Rakovski” Military Academy;

Academy of the Ministry of Interior; Institute of Defence “Prof. Tsvetan Lazarov”; Varna Free University “Chernorizets Hrabar”; University “Prof. Dr. Asen Zlatarov” – Burgas;

National Military University “Vasil Levski”; South-West University “Neofit Rilski”; Shumen University “Bishop Konstantin Preslavski”; Nikola Vaptsarov Naval Academy; Veliko Tarnovo University “St. Cyril and St. Methodius”; D. A. Tsenov Academy of Economics; Space School;

National High School of Mathematics and Natural Sciences “Acad. Lyubomir Chakalov” (NPMG).

With media partnership of:

bTV Media Group; Dir.bg; Bulgarian National Radio; Gradat Media Group and National Geographic Bulgaria.