The FGDC plays a role in international spatial data Infrastructure development. The Office of Management and Budget (OBM) policy Circular A-16 encourages the FGDC to participate in building the Global Spatial Data Infrastructure (GSDI) along with principal role on building the National Spatial Data Infrastructure (NSDI).

It makes good business sense and contributes good governance to participate in the building of other NSDIs as well as regional and global SDIs.  In this way we ensure that the policies, procedures, standards, metadata, and related components that are developed within the US are compatible with our neighbors’ as well as  globally.  The rationale for sharing geospatial information across city, county, and state boundaries applies to sharing across international boundaries as well.  Watershed, ecosystem, and related boundaries do not stop at political borders.  Moreover disasters, famine, poverty, diseases, and similar human issues do not stop at international boundaries.  If they do, that is something we need to know, understand, and use to help alleviate these problems.  

• How do I find data from around the world?
• SDI Reference Manual – SDI Cookbook
• FGDC International Outreach
• International Newsletters
• Group on Earth Observations (GEO) & Global Earth Observations System of Systems (GEOSS)
• Cross Border Projects (Canada/USA)
• Global Spatial Data Infrastructure
• GSDI Regional Spatial Data Infrastructure Development
• Training and Capacity Building
• Common Alerting Protocol
• World Summit on Information Society