(GNSS) and their
promising applications. The ICG
addressed the use of the applications
to promote the enhancement of universal access to, and compatibility
and interoperability of spacebased
navigation and positioning
systems and the integration of these
services into national infrastructures,
particularly in developing
countries. The meeting was hosted
by the United Nations Office for
Outer Space Affairs (OOSA).
In 2004, in its resolution 59/2, the
United Nations General Assembly
invited GNSS and augmentation
providers to consider establishing an
International Committee on GNSS
(ICG) based on the recommendation
of the United Nations Committee on
the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space to
implement one of the major actions
called for in the resolution "Vienna
Declaration: Space Millennium for
Human Development", adopted by
the Third United Nations Conference
on the Exploration and Peaceful Uses
of Outer Space and endorsed by the
General Assembly in its resolution
54/68. On this basis, the ICG was
established in December 2005.
The participants at the first ICG
meeting included: China, India, Italy,
Japan, Nigeria, Russian Federation,
United States, the Civil GPS Service
Interface Committee, the Committee
on Space Research, the European
Space Agency, the International
EUPOS Steering Committee, the IAG
Reference Frame Sub-Commission for
Europe, the International Federation
of Surveyors, the International
Association of Geodesy, the
International Association of Institutes of Navigation, the International
Cartographic Association, the
International GNSS Service, the
International Telecommunication
Union, and the United Nations
Office for Outer Space Affairs.
The ICG adopted its Terms of
Reference and work plan as developed
in international meetings since 2002
and incorporating the proposals made
by the open-ended ad hoc Working
Group of the ICG, which met in
Vienna in March, June, and October
2006. The current work plan includes:
Compatibility and Interoperability,
Enhancement of performance of GNSS
services, Information Dissemination,
Interaction with National and Regional
Authorities and Relevant International
Organizations, and Coordination.
All participants will cooperate, as
appropriate, on matters of mutual
interest related to civil satellite-based
positioning, navigation, timing, and
value-added services. In particular,
they will cooperate to the maximum
extent practicable to maintain radio
frequency compatibility in spectrum
use between different GNSS systems
in accordance with the ITU Radio
Regulations. UNOOSA is currently
serving as the Secretariat of the ICG.
A proposal to establish a "Providers
Forum" to enhance compatibility and
interoperability among current and
future global and regional satellitebased
systems was also noted by the
ICG. The potential members of the
Providers Forum could include the
United States, the Russian Federation,
the European Community, the
European Space Agency, Japan, China
and India. The potential members will
advise the ICG through OOSA upon
final agreement to establish the Forum.
The ICG accepted the invitation
of India to host the second
meeting next year. |
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