VIENNA, 30 December (UN Information Service) – The International Committee on Global Navigation Satellite Systems (ICG) met in Pasadena, United States, from 8 to 12 December 2008, to review and discuss developments in global navigation satellite systems. The ICG also addressed global navigation satellite systems (GNSS) science and innovative technology applications and future commercial applications. Representatives from industry, academia and governments shared views on GNSS compatibility and interoperability.
The meeting was hosted by the United States. Attendees included the members of the Providers Forum: China, the European Community, India, Japan, Russian Federation, United States; member States of the ICG: Italy, Malaysia, Nigeria, United Arab Emirates; and the following international organizations: Bureau International des Poids et Mesures (BIPM), Committee on Space Research (COSPAR), Civil GPS Service Interface Committee (CGSIC), European Position Determination System (EUPOS), Federation Internationale des Geometres (FIG), International Association of Geodesy (IAG), International Association of Institutes of Navigation (IAIN), International GNSS Service (IGS, formerly International GPS Service), and the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs. The Canadian Space Agency (CSA) and the UN-affiliated Regional Centre for Space Science and Technology Education for Latin America and the Caribbean attended the meeting for the first time as invited observers. The International Committee recognized the IAG Reference Frame Sub-Commission for Europe (EUREF), also among the attendees, as a new associate member.
The ICG welcomed the substantive progress made in furthering its Workplan by its four working groups focusing on compatibility and interoperability; enhancement of performance of GNSS services; information dissemination and capacity building; and interaction with national and regional authorities and relevant international organizations. The International Committee recalled that in its resolution 62/217 of 21 December 2007 the General Assembly noted with appreciation the establishment of the ICG.
The ICG noted that the Providers Forum has for the first time adopted its Terms of Reference and a Workplan. The plenary of the ICG agreed that the Regional Centres for Space Science and Technology Education, affiliated to the United Nations, would act as the ICG Information Centres in the future. The ICG further agreed to establish a Task Force on Geodetic References and a Task Force on Time References in order to promote progress in its Workplan.
At the end of its meeting, the International Committee accepted the invitation of the Russian Federation to host the fourth ICG meeting in Saint Petersburg from 14 to 18 September 2009, and noted the offer of the European Community and Italy to jointly host the succeeding meeting in 2010. The United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs, as the Executive Secretariat of the ICG and the Providers Forum, will assist in the preparations for these meetings and interim planning and working group activities.
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The International Committee on Global Navigation Satellite Systems (ICG) was established on a voluntary basis as an informal body to promote cooperation, as appropriate, on matters of mutual interest related to civil satellite-based positioning, navigation, timing and value-added services, as well as the compatibility and interoperability of global navigation satellite systems, while increasing their use to support sustainable development, particularly in developing countries, and held its first meeting in Vienna in 2005, and its second meeting in Bangalore, India, in 2007. The United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA) serves as the Executive Secretariat of the ICG and the Providers Forum. More information on the ICG can be found on its information portal at http://www.unoosa.org/oosa/en/SAP/gnss/icg.html.
UNOOSA implements the decisions of the General Assembly and of the Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space and its two Subcommittees, the Scientific and Technical Subcommittee and the Legal Subcommittee. The Office is responsible for promoting international cooperation in the peaceful uses of outer space, and assisting developing countries in using space science and technology. Located in Vienna, Austria, UNOOSA maintains a website at http://www.unoosa.org/.
