International Committee on Global Navigation Satellite Systems (ICG): A System of Systems

摘要

Following the Third United Nations Conference on the Exploration and Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (UNISPACE III), held in 1999, the United Nations General Assembly endorsed the "Vienna Declaration: Space Millennium for Human Development." The Vienna Declaration called for action to improve the efficiency and security of transport, search and rescue, geodesy and other activities by promoting the enhancement of, universal access to and compatibility among, space-based navigation and positioning systems. In response to that call, in 2001, the United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS) established the Action Team on Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) to carry out those actions under the chairmanship of Italy and the United States of America.rnThe Action Team on GNSS, consisting of 38 member States and 15 inter-governmental and non-governmental organizations, recommended that an International Committee on GNSS (ICG) be established to promote the use of GNSS infrastructure on a global basis and to facilitate exchange of information. COPUOS included this recommendation in the Plan of Action proposed in its report to the United Nations General Assembly on the review of the implementation of the recommendations of UNISPACE III.rnTo implement the recommendation of UNISPACE III related to the use of global navigation and positioning systems and to support the work of the Action Team on GNSS, starting in 2001 the Office for Outer Space Affairs of the Secretariat organized regional workshops and international meetings focusing on capacity-building in the use of GNSS in various areas of applications that support sustainable development.rnThe International Committee on Global Navigation Satellite Systems (ICG) held its first meeting in Vienna on 1 - 2 November 2006 to review and discuss matters relating to Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) and their applications. The ICG adopted its terms of reference and work plan as developed in international meetings held since 2002. The current work plan included 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 would cooperate, as appropriate, on matters of mutual interest related to civil satellite-based positioning, navigation, timing and value-added services. In particular, they would cooperate to the maximum extent practicable to maintain radio frequency compatibility in spectrum use between different GNSS systems in accordance with the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) Radio Regulations. 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.rnThe ICG, a forum for discussion on matters related to GNSS on a worldwide basis, will continue to meet regularly to address issues of common interest. The fourth meeting of the ICG will be held from 14 to 18 September 2009 in Saint Petersburg, Russian Federation. The fifth meeting will be jointly hosted by the European Commission and Italy, in 2010, in Italy.