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Virtual session on the National Atlas of Korea
A virtual session was held organized by the National Geographic Information Institute (NGII, by its acronym in English) of the Republic of Korea, entitled “Introduction on the project of the National Atlas of Korea”. The activity involves the participation of the Pan American scientific community, made up of specialists in Geography, Cartography, Geophysics and History.
During the session, MA. Antonio Campuzano
Rosales, Secretary General of the Pan American Institute of Geography and History (PAIGH), addressed a welcome message that highlighted the work of the NGII in the generation of quality scientific knowledge, in accordance with contemporary requirements.
The main presentation was given by Dr. Kim Min-Ho, professor at the School of Space Studies and Environmental Studies at the Sang-myung University and Vice President of the Korean Geographical Society.
Dr. Kim Min-Ho presented the evolution of the “National Atlas of Korea” since its first editions to its current development, highlighting its relevance as an academic tool, supporting government decision-making and public access, thanks to the accessible and attractive presentation of its data.
The multidisciplinary work required to produce this Atlas was also highlighted, involving geographers, cartographers, graphic designers, programmers, and editorial teams in various languages. The Atlas is available in Korean, English, and Spanish, and work is currently underway on an interactive online version that will allow users to actively participate.
Later, Mr. Hyunmin Lim presented the advances of this interactive version. The work can be consulted online at: http://nationalatlas.ngii.go.kr/es/index.php or in person at the “Héctor Oscar José Pena” Newspaper Library of the PAIGH, which contains copies printed thanks to the collaboration with the Republic of Korea, a country with the category of Permanent Observer of the PAIGH.
Virtual coordination meeting prior to the CIII Meeting of Authorities
The Authorities participated in this session: Dr. Patricia Solís, President of the PAIGH; BA. Pahola Méndez, Vice-President; MA. Antonio Campuzano Rosales, Secretary General; MSc. Max Alberto Lobo Hernández, President of the Cartography Commission; Dr. Hermann Manríquez Tirado, President of the Geography Commission; Dr. Filiberto Cruz Sánchez, President of the History Commission; and Dr. Mario Calixto Ruiz Romero, President of the Geophysics Commission.
During the meeting, the preliminary program of activities of the CIII Meeting of Authorities, scheduled to be held from July 8 to 10, 2024 at the Palace Headquarters of the PAIGH, in Mexico City was presented and reviewed.
This meeting allowed to strengthen coordination between the Commissions, follow up on the Strategic Plan for Modernization 2022–2025 and continue promoting technical and scientific cooperation projects for the benefit of PAIGH Member States.
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Working meeting on the Geophysics Magazine
MA, Antonio Campuzano Rosales, Secretary General of the Pan American Institute of Geography and History (PAIGH), held a working meeting with Dr. Mario Ruiz Romero, President of the Geophysics Commission of the PAIGH, on the occasion of the appointment of Dr. Juan Camilo Anzieta Reyes as the new editor of the Geophysics Magazine.
During the meeting, accompanied by members of the Department of Social Communication, the Secretary General announced the official welcome to Dr. Anzieta Reyes and expressed his support to strengthen the technical and editorial processes of the publication, with the objective of consolidating it as one of the most relevant in the Pan American sphere.
They addressed topics related to the operational continuity of the magazine, proposals for its continued improvement and international projection. The Geophysics Magazine is a specialized scientific publication that disseminates research articles, technical reports, book reviews and events of interest in disciplines such as Seismology, Space Sciences, Hydrology, Geophysical Exploration, Tectonics, Paleomagnetism and Geomagnetism, among others.
The PAIGH reaffirms the relevance of this journal as a platform of regional reference and its commitment to editorial excellence and the promotion of open scientific knowledge in the Americas.
Working meeting to strengthen technical capacities in the Belize-Guatemala Adjacency Zone
MA. Antonio Campuzano Rosales, Secretary General of the PAIGH, held a working meeting with Mr. Eric van Praag, representative of the Environmental Systems Research Institute, Inc. (ESRI) and head of the Cartography Commission of the US National Section of the PAIGH.
The purpose of the meeting was to strengthen the technical and IT capacities of personnel in the Belize-Guatemala Adjacency Zone through the use of geospatial analysis tools, technologies, and digital solutions applied to land management.
This meeting marked the beginning of a collaboration aimed at designing and coordinating projects that can be implemented for the benefit of this region. The PAIGH remains committed to providing scientific and technical support at the international level, putting knowledge into the service of cooperation, development, and regional stability, in accordance with its motto: Science in the Service of Peace.
17
Visit by specialists from Chile to the PAIGH Palace Headquarters
The Pan American Institute of Geography and History (PAIGH) welcomed Dr. Fabián Araya Palacios, member of the Geographic Education Committee of the Institute’s Geography Commission, accompanied by Dr. Sandra Álvarez Barahona, head of Geographic Liaison with the Educational Sector of the Republic of Chile.
During their visit, the Secretary General of the PAIGH, MA Antonio Campuzano Rosales, offered them a tour of the historical and cultural spaces of the Headquarters Palace, such as the Gallery of Historians and Geographers of the Americas and the “Héctor Oscar José Pena” Newspaper Library, where the official publications of the PAIGH since its foundation are preserved, as well as documents of high historical and scientific value for the study of the Americas.
MA Antonio Campuzano presented the academics with the PAIGH’s working model, which focuses on cooperation between Member States, the promotion of technical and scientific knowledge, and the dissemination of content relevant to education.
The meeting reaffirmed the shared interest in promoting geographical knowledge in the service of Pan American development.
10
Submission of the PAIGH Financial Statements and Audit Report, 2024
The financial statements and audit report for fiscal year 2024 of the Pan American Institute of Geography and History (PAIGH) were officially delivered. The audit was conducted by the firm Vieyra Mota y Asociados, S.C., represented by Mr. Ricardo Vieyra, in collaboration with the accounting firm Cortés.
These actions are part of Guiding Principle III of the PAIGH Strategic Modernization Plan 2022–2025, which establishes the importance of maintaining sound finances as a condition for ensuring the proper functioning of the Institute and the promotion of priority scientific research projects.
MA Antonio Campuzano Rosales, Secretary General of the PAIGH, has made it a priority to ensure the proper administration of monetary resources by eliminating unnecessary expenses.
This process reflects the General Secretariat’s commitment to the efficient, responsible, and transparent management of economic resources, allowing the Institute to expand its financing capacity for research, technical studies, and substantive activities aligned with its mission as a scientific organization.
6
Virtual meeting with the National Section of Honduras to organize the 26th General Assembly
MA. Antonio Campuzano Rosales, Secretary General of the PAIGH, held a virtual meeting with Mrs. Leidy Ulloa, President of the PAIGH National Section in Honduras, and Mr. Horacio Ezequiel Padilla, Geography Coordinator for the General Directorate of Cartography and Geography of the Property Institute of Honduras.
The purpose of the meeting was to follow up on the organization of the 26th General Assembly of the PAIGH, to be held in Honduras in October 2025. During the meeting, the Secretary General reiterated the support and guidance of the General Secretariat to the National Section of Honduras and presented the progress made on the resolutions and documents that will be reviewed and evaluated by the delegations and authorities attending the Assembly.
It was emphasized that constant communication and collaboration between the General Secretariat of the PAIGH and its National Sections is essential for the proper functioning of the organization, ensuring coordinated work and facilitating the fulfillment of the objectives set annually.
Virtual meeting with the National Section of the Dominican Republic
MA. Antonio Campuzano Rosales, Secretary General of the Pan American Institute of Geography and History, held a virtual meeting with MA. Bolívar Troncoso Morales, Director of the José Joaquín Hungría Morell National Geographic Institute (IGN-JJHM) and President of the PAIGH National Section in the Dominican Republic, and with Cenia Correa, senior member of the Geography Commission of that National Section.
The meeting was held within the framework of the coordinated work between the PAIGH General Secretariat and its National Sections. During the meeting, future collaboration projects were presented for the benefit of the Pan American community in the areas of Cartography, Geography, Geophysics, and History, and actions aimed at fulfilling the PAIGH Strategic Modernization Plan 2022–2025 were reviewed.
5
Visit to the Spanish Embassy in Mexico
The Secretary General of the Pan American Institute of Geography and History (PAIGH), accompanied by Mr. Sergio Martínez Torres, Private Secretary, was received at the Spanish Embassy in Mexico by Minister Counselor María Salcedo and Secretary General of Education Joan Paul Syrol.
The visit was made in compliance with Resolution 12, approved in November 2024 during the 25th General Assembly of the PAIGH in Santiago, Chile, which instructs the General Secretariat to express gratitude to the Kingdom of Spain for its contribution to the substantial work of the Institute, including the management and awarding of scholarships to Pan American specialists through the National Geographic Information Center and the National Geographic Institute.
During the meeting, the Secretary General of the PAIGH presented the Embassy representatives with a metal plaque reflecting the organization’s gratitude to the Kingdom of Spain, in its capacity as an Observer State of the PAIGH since 1994.
3
Virtual meeting with representatives from ECLAC and the UN
MA. Antonio Campuzano Rosales, Secretary General of the Pan American Institute of Geography and History (PAIGH), held a virtual meeting with representatives from the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) and the United Nations (UN).
Rolando Ocampo, Álvaro Monett, and Daniel Taccari participated on behalf of ECLAC’s Statistics Division, while Mark Iliffe and Luis González from the UN Statistics Division attended on behalf of the UN. The meeting allowed for the continuation of collaboration and the strengthening of alliances in international forums, promoting joint projects for the regional and global development of member countries. Likewise, lines of action were established for joint work in the near future.