UNIS/OS/315
23 September 2005

United Nations Co-Sponsors Workshop on the Use and Applications of Global Navigation Satellite Systems

VIENNA, 23 September (UN Information Service) -- A four-day International Workshop on the Use and Applications of Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) is being organized by the Government of Colombia and co-sponsored by the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (OOSA) and the Government of the United States of America. The Workshop will be held at the Aeronautical Studies Centre of the Civil Aviation of Colombia in Bogotá, Colombia, from 26 to 29 September.

Colombia is currently serving as the pro tempore secretariat of the Fourth Space Conference of the Americas and shares an agreement with OOSA to develop a plan of action for assisting space projects and bringing benefits to the region and its communities, with the goal of enhancing the quality of life. The plan of action involves applications such as disaster prevention, natural resources management, education, space law and exploration of outer space. The Workshop is one of the activities organized by Colombia as the pro tempore secretariat.

The Workshop is a follow-up project of the United Nations/United States series of activities on the Use and Applications of GNSS. These activities have been held within the framework of the United Nations Programme on Space Applications in different regions since 2001.

Among other issues, the Workshop will discuss the use and applications of GNSS in training and education, precision agriculture, transport and remote sensing, with the aim of considering projects that could bring wide benefits to the region of the Americas.

The expected results of the International Workshop include the establishment of concrete regional and national working groups with their corresponding work schedule for specific projects; and the definition of a regional coordination mechanism that could become an interface to the planned International Committee on GNSS (ICG). These results will contribute to the implementation of the recommendations of the Action Team on GNSS, one of the 12 action teams established by the United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space as a follow-up to the Third United Nations Conference on the Exploration and Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (UNISPACE III).

Approximately 200 participants from the following countries and international organizations and entities are expected to attend the workshop: Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Cuba, Ecuador, Honduras, Italy, Peru, Russian Federation, United States, European Commission, European Space Agency, International Civil Aviation Organization, International Telecommunication Union and OOSA.

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The United Nations Programme on Space Applications is implemented by the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs and works to improve the use of space science and technology for the economic and social development of all nations, in particular developing countries. Under the Programme, the Office conducts training courses, workshops, seminars and other activities on applications and capacity building in subjects such as remote sensing, communications, satellite meteorology, search and rescue, basic space science, satellite navigation and space law.

The United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (OOSA) 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/ .

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For information contact:

Sharafat Gadimova
Programme Officer
Telephone: +43 1 26060-5479
E-mail: sharafat.gadimova@unvienna.org