Why it matters:
Iran is expanding its national geospatial capabilities at a time when precise mapping, satellite imagery, and spatial intelligence are increasingly vital for crisis management, defense operations, and digital-government services.
The big picture:
For the first time, the Armed Forces Geographical Organization and the National Mapping Organization are jointly hosting the National Geomatics Conference and the Iran Geo Expo. Officials say the cooperation reduces costs, unifies exhibitors, and helps government agencies and private companies present their full range of products and capabilities in a single event.
What he is saying:
Brig. Gen. Majid Fakhri said the goal is to ensure government leaders become more aware of domestic achievements in geospatial technology so they can apply geographic data more effectively in national planning.
He added that broader use of spatial technologies can help resolve many current challenges linked to geography and reduce structural inefficiencies over time.
Key points:
• The expo opens Thursday at 9 a.m. and runs until 4 p.m. Sunday; admission is free.
• Fakhri said the organization provided uninterrupted geospatial support during the recent 12-day conflict.
• The National Mapping Organization now offers public services—such as aerial photo verification for property cases—through an online e-government system.
• The Hazard Atlas platform, developed with nearly 30 national agencies, compiles diverse spatial datasets to guide emergency planning and crisis response.
• About 100 foreign visitors, including military attachés and students from BRICS and ECO countries, have confirmed their participation.
• Knowledge-based companies will be active exhibitors, including new sections focused on AI applications in geospatial systems.
• Thirty companies and five major organizations will participate in the exhibition.
Go deeper:
Iran’s geospatial ecosystem has advanced rapidly in recent years, digitizing large archives of aerial imagery, standardizing national spatial datasets, and expanding cloud-based access for both government and public users. The Iran Geo Expo now serves as the country’s central platform for demonstrating progress in mapping, satellite imaging, GIS technologies, and emerging AI-driven spatial analysis across sectors such as urban management, disaster response, infrastructure planning, and defense.
M.Majdi - Mojtaba Darabi
