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appropriate cartographic operations. The cartographic data are needed not only 
to know what to do but also what not to do. There are too many examples 
within recent times of large sums of money being wasted due to the failure of 
projects which would never have been undertaken if adequate cartographic 
information had been provided in time. 
I am not going to examine the role of cartography in a detailed manner. I 
only would say this: There is an urgent need for maps in most parts of the 
world, and unfortunately many of these maps do not exist. 
The amount of cartographic work before us is tremendous and the carto 
graphic agencies are looking to photogrammetry for the means to fulfil their 
task. 
At this juncture, it is necessary to point out that the understanding of the 
need for cartographic data reported above cannot yet be considered as universal. 
Continued efforts still have to be made to ensure that adequate cartographic 
data are provided at the various stages of the development of a project and that 
these data have been appropriately used and fully exploited. Information on 
the various services that cartographic data can render have to reach not only 
those particularly interested in cartography but also those in charge of projects 
at policy making level. 
In this connection it will be of interest to outline the work of the United 
Nations in the field of international co-operation on cartography. 
As early as 1947 the Economic and Social Council, considering accurate maps 
a prerequisite to the proper development of world resources relatively unexplored 
and to the solution of other problems recommended that the Governments of 
the Member states of the United Nations stimulate the accurate survey and 
mapping of their national territories and that the Secretary-General of the 
United Nations take appropriate action to further such efforts by promoting 
the exchange of technical information, etc. 
A Committee of Experts on cartography was called by the United Nations 
to study the question of the stimulation of mapping activities by Governments 
and of international co-ordination in the field of cartography. A report of the 
Committee, outlining the need for maps and the status of world mapping, con 
tains specific recommendations on measures to be taken by the United Nations 
in order to attain the objectives of the Economic and Social Council in the field 
of cartography. I need not describe these recommendations which are publish 
ed in the United Nations publication: Modern Cartography, 1 I shall confine 
myself merely to the observation that most of these recommendations have been 
or are being carried out, such as the convening of regional cartographic con 
ferences to be attended by representatives of governments having interests in a 
particular area, the establishment of a Cartographic Office within the Secretariat 
of the United Nations to act as a clearing house for the exchange of information, 
the transfer of the functions of the former Central Bureau, International Map 
of the World on the Millionth Scale to the United Nations, the publication of a 
periodical bulletin on cartography which, according to the instructions of the 
Council, should constitute a report upon activities, progress and plans in the 
field of cartography. The bulletin has appeared under the title »World-carto 
graphy» to which the International Society for Photogrammetry and several 
experts in the field have already made substantive contributions. 
The first Regional Cartographic Conference for Asia and the Far East was 
held in India in 1955 at which the governments of 18 countries were repre 
sented. 
The Conference reviewed the cartographic activities and needs for maps of 
the countries of the Region and studied the new developments in instruments 
and in methods achieved in cartographically advanced countries. 
1 Modern Cartography, Base maps for world needs. United Nations publications Sales No. 
1949.1.19.