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again, the important role played by this Congress and the International Society 
of Photogrammetry in developing the photogrammetric sciences and techniques, 
nor do I need to examine here the various compelling technical problems in this 
field. The achievements in photogrammetry as well as the problems studied are 
reported in the Archives of Photogrammetry which receive world-wide distri 
bution and which are all well known to you. Nevertheless, some of the problems 
confronting the United Nations in promoting economic and social development 
for the raising of living standards everywhere as well as the experience gained 
in the last few years when assisting governments in developing their carto 
graphic work, are undoubtedly of interest to this Congress as photogrammetry 
provides one of the effective means for obtaining the basic cartographic data 
required for development projects. The purpose of this short exposé is to give 
the views of a user not of a technique. 
First of all, I would like to point out an encouraging fact, that is: more and 
more governments are becoming increasingly conscious of their need for adequate 
cartographic data and devote their resources to basic surveying and mapping. 
On the one hand, the comprehensive economic survey missions of the United 
Nations have often recommended the undertaking of an aerial survey of the 
area under study before deciding and launching important projects and, on the 
other hand, in the course of carrying out certain programmes, it has been 
necessary to complete specific cartographic work. The increasing number of 
requests addressed to the United Nations during the last few years for technical 
assistance in the various branches of cartography as well as the cartographic 
projects carried out in connexion with the Colombo Plan and technical assistance 
by bilateral agreements prove that large efforts are being made by a number 
of countries in the under-developed areas to achieve cartographic self-sufficiency, 
especially those which are engaged in intensive development projects. The as 
sistance given in this way has ranged from the establishment of a national cen 
tral cartographic agency and the training of technical personnel to the carrying 
out of a specific cartographic project. This assistance involves provision of 
technical Experts, granting of fellowships and scholarships for training abroad, 
holding of seminars to discuss technical questions on surveying and mapping. 
The work of the United Nations and its specialized agencies in economic and 
social fields is aimed at the promotion of human welfare everywhere. The 
standard of living cannot be raised if proper economic and social development 
is not achieved. In so far as the United Nations are concerned, the Economic 
and Social Council as well as the General Assembly have continuously paid special 
attention to this important question. The development of natural wealth, the 
speeding up of industrialization in the under-developed areas and Community 
development, are among the major questions under constant consideration. The 
various specialized agencies of the United Nations continue to carry out work 
in these fields within their competence. 
At the same time, central governments as well as local governments are in 
creasingly engaged in projects in these fields in all regions. These projects include 
a number of activities such as appraisal and exploitation of mineral resources, 
forestry and agriculture resources, construction of power stations, watershed 
management, water supply, building of roads and transport, navigation facilities, 
industrialization, city and town planning, public administration, etc. 
With the modern techniques and present day requirements any of these 
projects of importance involves enormous financial and other resources. Even 
at the initial stage those responsible for deciding on the project should base 
their judgement on the provision of adequate knowledge of the physical data 
and, in certain cases, also of data on human environment to find out the feasi 
bility of such a project. Furthermore, when a project is decided on, the actual 
work to be done at the various stages to complete the project requires from time 
to time more detailed physical data, some of which can only be obtained through