3. National names authorities

There is need for an authority because:

• It is needed to take geographical names decisions and so: eliminate ambiguity and confusion in spelling and application of names.

• Consistent information is required (if no national agency does, others will).

• A knowledgeable body should maintain reference lists.

 

Tasks of National names authorities:

1. Act as authority on names standardization issues (decide which names have to be standardized)

2. They should establish principles and procedures for geographical naming regarding:

• collection of names

• selection criteria

• rules for writing

• officialization procedures (how to make the names official)

3. They should develop policies and procedures to support names approval or rejection

4. They should maintain records, assuring minutes on decisions of names are generally available

 

Support from the United Nations

• UN resolution I/4a 1967 to establish national agencies

• Recent support of UN Regional Cartographic Conferences for framework layer

• National names authorities select names for formal/official use

• Justifying a names programme: existing overlaps; consolidation savings