S12: Role of the UN in the standardization of geographical names
  

1. Background

  • 1950s - need for clear unambiguous names in UN cartography and communication
  • 1960s - first UN technical meetings; first UN conference (1967)
  • 2000s - names at core of communication ... maps, census, search & rescue, postal services, etc.
  • UN continues to provide focus and forum (8th Conference 2002 in Berlin; 21st UNGEGN session 2002)

How the system functions

  • UN Conferences (every 5 years)
  • UNGEGN (~ every 2 years)
  • UNGEGN Divisions (22)
  • geographical and/or linguistic groups of countries
  • UNGEGN Working Groups
  • Publicity and funding; Toponymic terminology
  • Gazetteers and toponymic data files
  • Country names; Romanization systems
  • Training courses

 

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