Action Plan to Enhance Mobility of ASEAN Survey Professionals

Project Narrative

In May 2015, LEI commenced the Development of Implementation/Action Plans to Enhance Mobility of ASEAN Professionals on Surveying Services project. The project was funded by the ASEAN-Australia Development Cooperation Program (Phase II) and implemented in cooperation with the ASEAN Secretariat and ASEAN Surveyors Working Group.

The core objective was “to assist ASEAN to transform its existing Mutual Recognition Framework on surveying services, and other relevant initiatives, into a well-functioning mechanism to facilitate mobility of professionals by developing an appropriate roadmap and/or implementation plan”. Although implemented in 2007, little progress had been made implementing the Framework Mutual Recognition Agreement on Surveying Services. This was partly due to the variety inherent to surveying services and the different levels of education access and development across ASEAN Member States.

The LEI project team included a core Expert Panel and extensive experience in the region to identify options to support mutual recognition, including the sustainability of the surveying profession to underpin regional development.

Key services provided

Core activities implemented included in-country visits and meetings in each ASEAN Member State with stakeholders from government, academia and the private sector, and the first Regional Workshop. Together, these activities formed the basis for assessing the current state of mobility of surveying professionals in the ASEAN region and exploring possible formats for eventual mobility.

Key findings reinforced that there are insufficient surveyors to meet the demands of establishing and maintaining the cadastre, as well as other surveying activities in the majority of ASEAN countries. While mobility of surveying services exists, the sustainability of the surveying profession is hampered by the foundational elements of mutual recognition, including information sharing and development of common standards. Countries such as Cambodia, Lao PDR and Myanmar particularly need support for surveying education, continuing professional development and to establish professional associations.

Final steps of the project focused on developing a Roadmap. A draft was discussed at the second Regional Workshop. This workshop then determined the final output for the project. The Roadmap contained detailed activities and outcomes to better understand, document and enhance the education, professional competencies and institutions required to ensure a robust and strong surveying profession that would meet the needs of all ASEAN member states for surveying services into the future.