The Emirates Institution for Advanced Science and Technology (EIAST) is organising and hosting the eighth meeting of the International Committee on Global Navigation Satellite Systems (ICG), an organisation supported by the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA), which is running from November 10 to 14 at The Address Dubai Mall. The conference is promoting the use of Global Navigation Satellite Systems infrastructure for the common good.
On the opening day, system providers of the Global Satellite Navigation systems and international governmental and non-governmental organisations from the United States, Russia, European Union, China, Japan and India shared the latest insights on services including GPS, Global Navigation Satellite System (GLONASS) and the European Satellite Navigation System (GALILEO).
During the forum, chaired by Omran Sharaf, EIAST’s Director of Space Image Processing and Analysis, the attending members will identify issues for discussion in future ICG plenary sessions and/or its working group meetings and present draft recommendations with regards to assemblies held since the seventh meeting of the ICG. Final recommendations will be reviewed towards the end of the sessions.
EIAST is also arranging a technical visit to EIAST’s headquarters in Dubai to explore the technology and operation of DubaiSat-1, the UAE’s remote sensing Earth-observation satellite.
Hamad Obaid Al Mansoori, Chairman of the EIAST’s Board of Directors, says: “EIAST has proven its commitment to promoting space technology in the region through developing new satellite applications in line with UAE Vision 2021. In 2009, it launched DubaiSat-1, which has since been providing valuable information and space pictures to different government entities to propel their strategic initiatives. DubaiSat-2 is currently preparing for its impending take-off from Russia and DubaiSat-3, when ready to take to the orbit in 2017, would have equipped the UAE engineers with the necessary skills to build our own satellites. EIAST has also been instrumental in creating increased awareness about space technology not just within the country but regionally through meaningful alliances. By hosting the ICG, we hope to further expand our reach and collaboration with the international space community, and gain more knowledge about Global Navigation Satellite Systems-related applications that can be leveraged to promote safety and economic development in the region.”
Sharafta Gadimova, Executive Secretariat of the ICG, adds: “In a relatively short span of time, EIAST has demonstrated its strong resolve to advance scientific pursuits in the country as well as the whole region. The meeting, which brings together experts from across the globe to discuss and act on issues that are of high relevance to the ICG, will serve to disseminate information regionally on global applications of Global Navigation Satellite Systems and their socio-economic benefits for human kind.”
Previous meetings of the ICG have been held in Beijing, Tokyo, Turin, St. Petersburg, Pasadena, Bangalore and the founding meeting in Vienna.
The International Committee on Global Navigation Satellite Systems seeks to promote co-operation among ICG members on matters of mutual interest for the benefit of GNSS users and their service needs. It also explores compatibility and interoperability of GNSS in order to increase their use and support sustainable development, particularly in developing countries.
Add Comment