On Thursday (26 February 2026), NATO HQ hosted the first “Spatial Edge: USGIF Day”, bringing together experts from Allies, industry and academia to examine how geospatial intelligence (GEOINT) supports NATO’s collective defence.
Opening the event, NATO’s Deputy Secretary Radmila Shekerinska underlined the growing importance of geospatial intelligence for situational awareness and operational effectiveness across the Alliance. The Deputy Secretary General also highlighted the value of working with partners and the private sector in a rapidly evolving security environment.
Organised by NATO Headquarters’ GEOINT Team in cooperation with the United States Geospatial Intelligence Foundation (USGIF), the one-day programme explored how Allied interoperability when it comes to geospatial intelligence can strengthen NATO’s deterrence and defence. Discussions also looked at the role of emerging technologies across the intelligence enterprise, including artificial intelligence and automation.
The USGIF Day at NATO contributes to NATO’s broader efforts to strengthen intelligence collaboration and leverage emerging technologies to enhance readiness and resilience across the Alliance.