ICG providers forum

A report of the first meeting in Bangalore, 4 September 2007

The International Committee on Global Navigation Satellite Systems (ICG) met in Bangalore, India, from 4 to 7 September, 2007, to review and discuss Global Navigation Satellite Systems (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 global and regional navigation satellite systems and the integration of these services into national infrastructures, particularly in developing countries. The meeting was hosted by the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO). Attendees included China, the European Union, India, Japan, the Russian Federation, the United States, Italy, and the following international organizations: BIPM, EUPOS, EUREF, FIG, IAG, IAIN, IGS, UN OOSA, and URSI. Malaysia, and the United Arab Emirates also attended and were recognized by the ICG as new members.

The International Committee recalled that, in 2006, in its resolution 61/111, the United Nations General Assembly noted with appreciation that the International Committee on Global Navigation Satellite Systems had been 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. It was agreed that the Committee made substantive progress in furthering its work plan approved at the first meeting of the ICG organized by the Office of Outer Space Affairs in Vienna in 2006.

A major development at this meeting was the establishment of a Providers Forum to enhance compatibility and interoperability among current and future system providers, as a mechanism to continue discussions on important issues addressed by the ICG that require focused inputs from system providers. Members of the Providers Forum that convened on the first day included China, the European Union, India, Japan, the Russian Federation and the United States. The Providers Forum addressed key technical issues and operational concepts such as compatibility and interoperability, the protection of GNSS spectrum, orbital debris/orbit de-confliction, and other matters related to the work of the ICG. The report of the Providers Forum is attached.

The second day of the meeting was devoted to expert presentations made by India, GNSS service providers, State Members, intergovernmental organizations, and non-governmental organizations dealing with GNSS applications. On the third day, the International Committee addressed its work plan through the working groups focused on: A. compatibility and interoperability; B. enhancement of performance of GNSS services; C. information dissemination and coordination; and D. interaction with national and regional authorities and relevant international organizations. Suitable recommendations and plans to address the current and future work under each group were presented to the ICG.

The International Committee accepted the invitation of the United States to host the third meeting, to be held in 2008. The Committee also noted the offer of the Russian Federation to host the succeeding meeting in 2009. Acting as the Secretariat for the ICG and the Providers Forum, the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs will assist in the preparations for these meetings and interim planning and working group activities.