The Joint Action Plan 2016–2020, jointly promoted by the Pan American Institute of Geography and History (PAIGH), the Geocentric Reference System for the Americas (SIRGAS), UN-GGIM: Americas, and GeoSUR, establishes a collaborative framework that seeks to harmonize efforts, avoid duplication, and enhance regional capacities, respecting the mandates and competencies of each institution.

Its main lines of action include strengthening geodetic reference frameworks, developing fundamental layers of geospatial information, and improving mechanisms for the exchange of data, information, and knowledge, in order to support decision-making and sustainable development in the countries of the region.

In this context, this technical meeting held in Santiago, Chile, in June 2016 provided an opportunity to review progress, share ongoing initiatives, and agree on adjustments to the Joint Action Plan, reaffirming the importance of moving toward an interoperable regional Spatial Data Infrastructure (SDI) based on common standards and cooperation among Member States and regional organizations. As a result, initial agreements and next steps were defined aimed at consolidating the final document of the Joint Action Plan and advancing its coordinated implementation at the regional level.