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International scientific organization

IAG/IUGG - International Association for Geodesy

The International Association of Geodesy (IAG) is a scientific association in the field of geodesy. It promotes scientific cooperation and research in geodesy on a global scale and contributes to it through its various research bodies. It is a constituent association of the International Union of Geodesy and Geophysics (IUGG).

The IAG as an international scientific organization is one of the oldest of this kind. Its long and distinguished history goes back to 1862, when the "Mitteleuropäische Gradmessung" was established. This organization was formed to promote scientific work in geodesy in Central Europe, following a proposal by J.J. Baeyer in 1861. In 1867, its name was changed to "Europäische Gradmessung", since several European countries had joined. In 1886, the name was changed to "Internationale Erdmessung", emphasizing the need for international cooperation to solve the scientific geodetic tasks. In French and English this name resulted in "International Association of Geodesy (IAG)".

The mission of the IAG is the advancement of geodesy. The IAG implements its mission by advancing geodetic theory through research and teaching, by collecting, analysing, modelling and interpreting observational data, by stimulating technological development and by providing a consistent representation of the figure, rotation and gravity field of the Earth and planets, as well as their temporal variations. The IAG intends to initiate, coordinate and promote the development of geodetic activities and infrastructures around the world, together with the exchange of knowledge and international cooperation through symposia, seminars, summer schools, publications and other tools.

The IAG is organized and works in accordance with its Statutes and Bylaws.

The administrative work of the IAG is performed by the Council, the Executive Committee (EC) and the Bureau. The Council determines the strategy and elects the EC and the Bureau members. The EC implements and advances the strategy. The Bureau administers the affairs of the IAG: it consists of the President, the Vice President and the Secretary General. To assist the Secretary General in his/her duties the IAG-Office is established at his/her home institution.

The scientific work of the Association is performed within a structure consisting of different components:

4 Commissions: 1-Reference Frames, 2-Gravity Field, 3-Earth Rotation and Geodynamics, 4-Positioning and Applications

3 Inter-commission Committees (ICC): ICC on Theory, ICC for Climate Research, ICC for Marine Geodesy

1 IAG Projects: Project Novel Sensors and Quantum Technology for Geodesy

12 IAG Scientific Services: Int. Earth Rotation and Reference Systems Service (IERS), Int. DORIS Service (IDS), Int. GNSS Service (IGS), Int. Laser Range Service (ILRS), Int. VLBI Service for Geodesy and Astrometry (IVS), Int. Gravity Field Service (IGFS), Int. Centre for Global Earth Models (ICGEM), Int. Digital Elevation Models Service (IDEMS), Int. Geodynamics and Earth Tide Service (IGETS),

Int. Gravimetric Bureau – Bureau Gravimetrique International (BGI), Int. Service for the Geoid (ISG)

Permanent Service for Mean Sea Level (PSMSL)

Communication and Outreach Branch (COB)

Global Geodetic Observing System (GGOS)

 

Info

hosted by: Federal Agency of Cartography and Geodesy (BKG)
Richard-Strauss-Allee 11 - 60598 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
Web site: http://www.iag-aig.org/

Delegate

prof. MATTIA GIOVANNI CRESPI

Università degli Studi "La Sapienza"
Dipartimento di Ingegneria Civile, Edile e Ambientale (DICEA)
Via Eudossiana,18 - 00184 Roma
Phone number: 06 44585097
Email: mattia.crespi@uniroma1.it

Substitute delegate

dott. MARCO CUFFARO

CNR
Istituto di geologia ambientale e geoingegneria (IGAG)
presso Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra, Sapienza Università di Roma, P.le Aldo Moro 5 - 00185 Roma
Phone number: 06 4991 4928
Email: marco.cuffaro@cnr.it

Reports IAG/IUGG

Last update: 03/09/2025