An excellent international NSDI Conference was organized on 19 and 20 of September 2011 in Skopje. The conference has been considered as a highly professional event that shall contribute to the promotion and development of NSDI in the Republic of Macedonia, and in the region as well.

The conference was organized by the Government of the Republic of Macedonia, the Agency for Real Estate Cadastre (AREC) and the Faculty of Civil Engineering. The role of co-organizers was entrusted to FIG - International Federation of Surveyors, and to EuroGeographics - European Association of National Mapping, Land Registry and Cadastral Agencies.

The conference was supported by Swedesurvey AB, the World Bank, the Netherlands Kadaster, City of Skopje, GDi GIS Data, IGEA Mak, as well as by Asseco SEE. All the participating mapping and agencies for cadastre of the countries in Europe and in the region, had an opportunity to exchange experiences and knowledge in the area of NSDI - an area in which they play a leading role as coordinators and implementation bodies.

The conference topics were determined by an international organizational committee consisted of 9 members, including Swedesurvey's Managing Director Jan Zakariasson.

73 authors from 12 different countries have offered their contribution to the Conference by expressing their views on NSDI and its related scientific branches in 37 presentations, divided into 6 expert sessions and 1 commercial session. Professor Anders Östman, Swedesurvey, was the Chairman of one session and also presented a paper "Efficient metadata management – science, fiction or reality?" during the conference.

The authors' abstracts were reviewed by an international review commission consisted of 3 members, who are prominent professors.

The Vice-Prime Minister of the Government of the Republic of Macedonia, the Minister of Information Society, the Mayor of the City of Skopje, as well as a High Representative of the World Bank addressed the audience at the Conference. During the opening session of the Conference, presentations were held by the Director of the AREC and the Executive Director of EuroGeographics.

A total number of approximately 130 participants from 22 countries around the world attended the Conference.

Based on the addresses, presentations, presented materials and discussions realized during the Conference, the following conclusions was derived.

1. In the two years preceeding the conference very good progress has been achieved. Nearly all countries in the region have recognised the importance of NSDI, for the sustainable development in their countries (economic, social, and environment), and set up NSDI-initiatives (e.g. national geo-portals, legislation). Those that have not are eagerly making plans to do so;
2. The directive of the European Union for the establishment of an Infrastructure for Spatial Information in Europe (INSPIRE), and related development experiences gained over the past decade, is the model to be actively considered as the ‘blueprint’ for NSDI-development;
3. INSPIRE is the legal framework for NSDI in Europe, but also beyond it. More needs to be done by the European Commission and other bodies to coordinate national SDI activities if the goal of a European Spatial Data Infrastructure is to be achieved;
4. The current situation of SDI-development in the region is similar to other regions in Europe;
5. Significant benefit has arisen for countries in the region from the exchange of NSDI experiences. This should be strengthened and extended to include organisations active in the field of NSDI;
6. There is a need to present information about NSDI in terms familiar to politicians and officials making key decisions to help them understand the social, economic and environmental benefits of NSDI, and its relationship to other E-government initiatives;
7. The funding for supporting the NSDI-development has to be appropriate and sustainable;
8. More should be done to raise awareness, particularly in governmental institutions and significant benefits to civil society, including businesses of the importance of NSDI;
9. NSDI is a tool which enables better decisions in government, businesses and citizens personal lives; in addition, it also enables better governmental service delivery to companies and citizens and improves policy-making;
10. Most NSDI’s are technology/software enabled, and have established a central point connecting spatial data/services, users/partners and systems; the issue of interoperability and data harmonisation issue needs full attention for having successful NSDIs in the future;
11. Most benefits in NSDI can be achieved when all sections of society, governments, businesses, academia and citizens work strongly together;
12. The role of National Mapping and Cadastre Agencies (NMCA’s) is considered as crucial in providing knowledge and key datasets, increasing the NSDI-awareness, building capacity, and supporting the coordination;
13. Knowledge and practices on NSDI-development relevant for the region are considered as value to be shared among stakeholders (e.g. examples of good NSDI-practices at different administrative levels);
14. Most benefits in NSDI can be achieved when all sections of society, governments, businesses, academia and citizens work together;
15. For building more capacity in the region, it is important to invest in education at different levels dealing with the principles and concepts of NSDI;
16. The topic of NSDI-monitoring and reporting needs more attention;
17. Regular NSDI-conferences in the framework of the INSPIRATION-project and their integration with annual regional conferences on cadastre are needed and recognized.

Finally, the participants congratulated the Director General of AREC Mr. Ljupčo Georgievski and his staff for organising an excellent conference. The participants of the NSDI-conference recognised the great effort and achievement of AREC for developing the Macedonian NSDI. 

The conclusions will form the basis for the Skopje 2011 declaration on NSDI-development in the region.