Rich historical events, politics, religion, and valuable resources make the Near East one of the most dynamic regions on earth. There are many distinct needs at the government and cultural levels that require geographic information for people to make accurate and appropriate decisions about many issues. GIS technology assists the area in planning, coordinating, and disseminating critical information.

GIS has played a role in the economy of the area, helping organizations manage the vast petroleum reserve beneath the Near East soil. GIS helps researchers, scientists, engineers, and different agencies monitor the land, share information, and plan for appropriate facilities. At the other end of the spectrum from petroleum, GIS helps the area manage scarce water resources. Studies revolving around increasing pollution and a dwindling water supply greatly rely on sharing geographic information between agencies and understanding the layout of the land.

Aside from the natural resource issues that exist in the Near East, many conflicts and wars have left vulnerable areas that require the reconstruction of governing bodies and communities. GIS has helped many Near East countries share information and analyze potential solutions. Both the public and private sectors rely on geographic data to meet the needs of the people they serve. A map-based system, such as GIS, can easily manage these areas for research, planning, and query purposes.

For more information, contact Myles Flynn, Esri (e-mail: mflynn@esri.com).

First Kuwait Esri User Conference

The first Kuwait Esri User Conference was held March 31, 2004, at the Hilton Resort Hotel, Kuwait. It was a successful conference with 200 attendees and sponsored by OpenWare Company (the Esri distributor in Kuwait) and organized by the Kuwait GIS Users Group, a nonprofit organization established by Esri GIS users in Kuwait. It is the first Esri User Conference in the region to be organized by a nonprofit organization.

The Minister of Communication and Planning, His Highness Sheikh Ahmed Al-Abdullah Al-Ahmed Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, was the chief guest at the opening meeting where he shared his thoughts on the role of GIS and its importance in Kuwait. The keynote speaker was Jim Geringer, Esri director of Policy and Public Sector Strategy and former two-term governor of Wyoming. Kees van Loo from Esri presented technical information on the Esri product range and future products.

For more information, visit www.kgug.com/first.htm or contact Myles Flynn, Esri (e-mail: mflynn@ esri.com).