Artak Piloyan, Acting Head of the Chair of Cartography and Geomorphology at the Faculty of Geography and Geology of Yerevan State University (YSU) and Council Member of the International Society for Digital Earth (ISDE), was invited to participate in the 5th Huangshan Dialogue on UNESCO-designated Sites and Sustainable Development, held in Huangshan, China. During this prestigious international event, he represented Yerevan State University and the Armenian academic community.
The Dialogue was organized by UNESCO, the International Centre on Space Technologies for Natural and Cultural Heritage (HIST) under the auspices of UNESCO, the International Society for Digital Earth (ISDE), the International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS), the International Centre for the Study of the Preservation and Restoration of Cultural Property (ICCROM), and the International Research Center of Big Data for Sustainable Development Goals (CBAS).
At the invitation of the ISDE Secretariat, Artak Piloyan delivered a presentation titled "Digital Earth and Spatial Justice: The Role of Geoinformation Technologies in Sustainable and Human-Centered Urban Studies" during the session "Digital Technologies Driving Global Sustainable Development."
The presentation highlighted how geoinformation technologies, satellite observations, spatial databases, and urban digital models contribute to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals and support more equitable and inclusive urban planning. Particular attention was given to the concept of spatial justice, emphasizing that data collection, analysis, and representation processes can significantly influence the visibility and representation of different social groups and territories.
As part of the Dialogue, Artak Piloyan also participated in a special roundtable discussion on the SDG Digital Indicator Framework. During this discussion, participants explored the potential of digital technologies and big data to improve the monitoring and assessment of progress toward the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
The Huangshan Dialogue is recognized as an important international platform for cooperation in UNESCO-designated sites, natural and cultural heritage conservation, digital technologies, and sustainable development, bringing together representatives of academia, international organizations, and policy-making institutions from around the world.
