At a Solemn Ceremony awards for special achievements in GIS were handed out
Sofia, November 20, 2014 – For the 16th consecutive year Bulgaria celebrated the World Day of Geographic Information Systems. Official organizer of this prestigious event in our country is ESRI Bulgaria, in its capacity of an exclusive representative of Esri, Inc. for the country. The forum was held in partnership with the Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski”, NAMRB, FLGR, BGBC, UAB, BWA, BASSCOM, BAS, UACEG, BCA, Green Balkans, UUB and BAGIS. Almost 400 representatives of the central and local government, business, NGOs and the academic community took part in the official opening and the awards ceremony on the occasion of GIS Day 2014.
Traditionally, within the Solemn Ceremony were presented awards for special achievements in the field of Geographic information systems – the most prestigious event in the field of GIS. This year, awards were given in three categories – “Central Administration”, “Regional and Local Administration” and “Private Business”.
In the category “Central Administration” awards received the Ministry of Environment and Waters, the Ministry of Regional Development and the Agency of Geodesy, Cartography and Cadastre.
Mr. Pavel Gudzherov, Deputy Minister of Environment and Waters of the Republic of Bulgaria received an international award for special achievement in GIS in the world for the implemented by the Ministry GIS for conservation of protected areas within the ecologic network Natura 2000. The award was handed out by Mr. Aart van Wingerden, General Director of Esri, Inc. for Europe.
Mrs. Lazarina Stoichkova, Advisor to the Minister of Regional Development and Mrs. Violeta Koritarova, Deputy Executive Director of AGCC received awards respectively for the application of GIS for cooperation and exchange of data and development of innovative GIS providing quality and accessible data and services. The awards were handed out by Mrs. Gergana Passy, founder and president of National Digital Alliance, and Mr. Hristo Hristov, Director eGovernance of the Republic of Bulgaria.
In the category “Regional and local administration” this year two organizations were awarded. Regional Inspectorate of Environment and Waters-Rousse was awarded for application of GIS for effective management and conservation of biodiversity. Mrs. Yana Georgieva, Chief Operational Programme “Environment” handed to Mr. Daud Ibryam, Director RIEW-Rousse the prestigious award.
For contemporary approach in the application of GIS for the promotion and development of tourism this year Ms. Donka Mihaylova, Mayor of Troyan received an award. The award was handed out by Mr. Zdravko Sechkov, Executive director of the Foundation for Local Government Reform.
In the category of private business this year EVN Bulgaria received an award for implementation of innovative GIS technologies in electricity distribution. The award was handed out by Ms. Evgenia Karadjova, General manager of ESRI Bulgaria to Mr. Pavlin Dzhumaliyski, Director of Network Engineering.
“The awards recognize the outstanding achievements of these organizations that we acknowledge today. With each passing year, GIS projects in Bulgaria are on a higher world technical level, which on the one hand, makes us happy, but on the other hand, is a great responsibility and commitment to our work in the future”, said Ms. Evgenia Karadjova, General manager of ESRI Bulgaria during the ceremony.
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