Call for abstracts and papers

The Call for Abstracts is announced for both peer-reviewed papers and non-peer reviewed abstracts/papers.

It is our pleasure to invite you to the largest and most prestigious conference of surveying and geospatial professionals in 2026, held in Cape Town, South Africa. We expect around 1,500 surveying, geospatial, construction management, spatial planning, and valuation experts from Africa and all over the world. The Congress is held jointly with the national association, the South African Geomatics Institute (SAGI). As the premier global survey event of the year, FIG Congress 2026 is supported and endorsed by the Department of Land Reform and Rural Development (DLRRD) and the South African Geomatics Council and will register CPD points for participants. The FIG Congress is the major event held every four years and includes elections of the new FIG President and two Vice Presidents

The overall theme of the congress is:

The Future We Want - The SDGs and Beyond

FIG Congress 2026 presents a pivotal moment for geospatial professionals to accelerate action, foster innovation, and shape the next era of global sustainable development.
This Congress will bring together thought-leaders, policymakers, and experts to explore how land governance, geospatial intelligence, and technological advancements can drive sustainability, resilience, and equitable growth beyond 2030.

At the congress there will be a number of parallel streams and breakaway sessions covering topics such as:
   Geospatial Innovation for a Changing World
   Resilient Land, Water and Natural Resource Administration and Management for a Sustainable Future
   Future-Proofing the Profession: Knowledge, Skills, Standards, and Ethics to serve our changing society
   Sustainable Settlements and the Green Economy
   Contributions to our world beyond the SDGs: Integrating Policy, Technology, and People

The SDGs will be central to all sessions, highlighting how surveyors work with and find solutions towards these goals and beyond. Surveyors must be heard as the next global development agenda for post-2030 is prepared in the next few years.

In the face of accelerating climate change, the Congress will highlight how geospatial solutions are essential for climate monitoring, disaster risk reduction, and informed decision-making at all levels. FIG Congress 2026 will catalyse for bold ideas and strategic action, ensuring a thriving and sustainable future for generations to come.

FIG conferences are distinct in drawing together surveying experts – interpreted in the broadest sense as persons and organisations involved with, or interested in:

  Geomatics and geographic information science (GISc)
  Surveying (land, mining, engineering, construction, hydrographic, photogrammetric, aerial, RPAS and space-based)
  GNSS, navigation, positioning and timing technologies and applications
  Remote sensing and photogrammetry
  Mapping and cartography
  Land administration, cadastral and land tenure management
  Location-based services and business applications
  Geospatial data and databases, data analysis and maintenance
  Software, hardware, tools and equipment for the GISc, surveying and geomatics industries
  Property Valuation, Real Estate Market Observation and Transparency with Geodata
  Quantity / construction economics and management

The FIG Congress 2026 gives passionate professionals the opportunity to: 

  Learn and share globally – with participation from around 80-90 countries 
  Network across silos, cultures, generations, sectors and professional roles – with sessions and representation from the broad range of experts 
  Make an impact on careers, organizations and communities 
  Enjoy undisturbed on-site time to focus, concentrate, and collaborate

Submit your abstract

The call for papers includes both specific topics related to FIG Congress 2026 and general topics under each FIG commission, network, task force and permanent institution. Read more in the call for papers and submit your abstract.

Peer review abstracts and paper deadline: 15 September 2025.
The FIG peer review process is a double blinded review aimed towards academia and scientific papers.

Regular (non-peer review) abstract deadline: 1 November 2025.
The regular abstract/paper is the most common abstract submission for most participants, especially practitioners, government and industry who do not need to meet academic requirements. Authors are encouraged to submit a full paper that will be published in the proceedings. Authors might be selected for a presentation or otherwise included in a session or with a poster.

More information

  Read the full Call for Papers
  PDF version of the Call for Papers
  Read more about the theme
  Submit an abstract
  Important deadlines

More information on the FIG Congress website: www.fig.net/fig2026

Sponsorship and exhibition opportunities

The reservation of sponsorship options and exhibition space has opened. Do you want to expose your company towards experts from all around the world, check your options.   Sponsorship options   Exhibition   Prospect in PDF

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