VIENNA, 12 September 2007 (UN Information Service) – A Providers Forum was established at the second meeting of the International Committee on Global Navigation Satellite Systems (ICG) in Bangalore, India, with the aim to promote greater compatibility and interoperability among current and future providers of the Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS). The current members of the Providers Forum, including China, India, Japan, the European Community, the Russian Federation and the United States, addressed key issues such as ensuring protection of GNSS spectrum and matters related to orbital debris/orbit de-confliction.
The four working groups of the ICG discussed compatibility and interoperability of GNSS, the enhancement of performance of GNSS services, information dissemination and coordination issues as well as interaction with national and regional authorities and relevant international organizations. Presentations were made by India and other Member States, GNSS service providers, intergovernmental organizations, and non-governmental organizations dealing with GNSS applications. The United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs acts as the secretariat for the ICG and the focal point for Providers Forum.
Participants of the second ICG meeting in Bangalore included China, India, Italy, Japan, the European Community, the Russian Federation, the United States, and the following international organizations: the Bureau international des poids et measures (BIPM), the European Position Determination System (EUPOS), the Federation internationale des geometres (FIG), the International Association of Geodesy (IAG), IAG Reference Frame Sub-Commission for Europe (EUREF), the International Association of Institutes of Navigation (IAIN), the International GNSS Service (IGS), the Union radio-scientifique internationale (URSI), and the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA). Malaysia and the United Arab Emirates, that also attended the meeting, were recognized by the ICG as new members. ICG will hold its next meeting in 2008 in the United States.
The United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (OOSA), that currently also serves as the secretariat of the International Committee on Global Navigation Satellite Systems, 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, OOSA maintains a website at http://www.unoosa.org/
For information, please contact:
Secretariat, International Committee on Global Navigation Satellite Systems
United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs
PO Box 500, 1400 Vienna, Austria
Phone: (+43-1) 26060 5479
Fax: (+43-1) 26060 5830
E-mail: oosa@unvienna.org Web: http://www.unoosa.org/oosa/en/SAP/gnss/icg.html
