FIG Congress 2026

Overview

The FIG Congress 2026 is the flagship global event of the International Federation of Surveyors (FIG), taking place from 24–29 May 2026 in Cape Town, South Africa. The Congress will convene land professionals, spatial planners, policymakers, academics, and innovators to explore cutting-edge solutions in land governance, geospatial innovation, and sustainable development.

Hosted at the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC), the event marks a return of the FIG Congress to the African continent and is set to address the role of land systems in shaping the post-2030 global development agenda.

With its comprehensive programme, diverse global participation, and focus on real-world application, the Congress serves as a premier forum for advancing the land and geospatial professions on a global scale.

Organising Partners

The event is organised by:

1. The International Federation of Surveyors (FIG)

2. In collaboration with the South African Geomatics Institute (SAGI)

3. And the South African Geomatics Council (SAGC)

Additional support is expected from a wide network of global and regional institutions working in land administration, valuation, hydrography, geospatial technology, and sustainable development.

Event Structure

The 2026 FIG Congress will include the following components:

• FIG General Assembly – Held in two parts on 24 and 29 May 2026 to address governance, policy, and future direction of the Federation.

• Technical Congress Programme – Spanning 25–28 May, this includes plenary sessions, technical tracks, panel discussions, and expert-led dialogues on key land and spatial topics.

• Pre-Congress Events and Side Meetings – Preceding the main event from 23–24 May, these include workshops, the Young Surveyors Network, regional forums, and institutional briefings.

• Industry Exhibition and Networking Sessions – A live exhibition showcasing geospatial technologies, land tools, and institutional innovations, accompanied by professional networking opportunities.

All sessions will be held in English, with provisions for inclusive engagement across diverse stakeholder groups.

Conference Theme

“The Future We Want – The SDGs and Beyond”

The 2026 Congress theme reflects the growing urgency to align land administration, surveying, and geospatial systems with global sustainability imperatives beyond 2030. Participants will examine how land systems can contribute to inclusive, climate-resilient, and digitally enabled development, with a strong focus on innovation, policy integration, and the role of spatial data in addressing global challenges.

Legacy and Context

Held every four years, the FIG Congress is one of the most influential global gatherings in the land and geospatial sectors. The 2026 edition follows a long tradition of knowledge exchange and standard-setting that spans over a century.

This edition is particularly timely as countries reassess their progress toward the SDGs and prepare for a post-2030 agenda. With South Africa as host, the Congress will also amplify African perspectives and innovations in land reform, data governance, and sustainable territorial management.

The event is expected to draw several thousand participants from more than 100 countries, building on the success of previous editions in Istanbul (2018) and Sydney (2010), and reaffirming the Congress’s role as a convening space for global leadership in land and spatial professions.