report of the action team on global navigation satellite systems (gnss)

564. Encourage research activities related to <strong>the</strong> development <strong>of</strong> ionospheric models includingmeasurements related to GNSS and <strong>the</strong> exchange <strong>of</strong> such information.565. The ionosphere behaviour near <strong>the</strong> geomagnetic equator interferes on GNSS (GPS) signaland prevents some specific requirements (parameters) <strong>of</strong> aeronautical activities in terms <strong>of</strong>integrity, continuity, availability and accuracy.Recommendation 2.The feasibility <strong>of</strong> implementing a “One African Sky” concept in <strong>the</strong>upper en-route similar to <strong>the</strong> “Single European Sky” initiative currentlyunder way in Europe should be considered.566. Consider <strong>the</strong> implementation <strong>of</strong> a “One African Sky” concept in <strong>the</strong> upper en routesimilar to <strong>the</strong> “Single European Sky” initiative currently underway in Europe.567. Successful implementation <strong>of</strong> GNSS in o<strong>the</strong>r parts <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> world shows that utilisation <strong>of</strong>this technology and receipt <strong>of</strong> associated benefits will require regionally co-ordinated efforts andcommitted participation <strong>of</strong> States in order to fully exploit <strong>the</strong> technology. In addition to safetyenhancements, it must also allow for <strong>the</strong> expansion <strong>of</strong> air travel and resulting expansion <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>African economies.Recommendation 3.The Office for Outer Space Affairs and ICAO should continue toencourage adoption <strong>of</strong> GNSS in support <strong>of</strong> civil aviation operations.Surveying, mapping and Earth scienceRecommendation 1.A continental reference for Africa, or African reference frame, consistentwith <strong>the</strong> International Terrestrial Reference Frame, should be established.568. Establish a continental reference for Africa (AFREF), consistent with <strong>the</strong> InternationalTerrestrial Reference Frame (ITRF).569. A uniform co-ordinate reference system is fundamental to any project, application,service or product that requires some form <strong>of</strong> georeferencing. Many developing countries, andparticularly <strong>the</strong> African countries, would greatly benefit from a modern GNSS-based referencesystem that could be used for national surveying, mapping, photogrammetry, remote sensing,Spatial Data Infrastructure (SDI), Geographical Information Systems (GIS), developmentprograms, and hazard mitigation (studies and monitoring <strong>of</strong> earthquake, fault motion, volcano andsevere storms). Many existing national co-ordinate systems are based on reference figures <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>Earth, which are generally outdated and are restricted to a particular country, making cross-borderor regional mapping, development, and project planning very difficult. A continental referencesystem for Africa should be organized through an international project with common goals andobjectives throughout Africa, and with <strong>the</strong> commitment <strong>of</strong> African countries and <strong>the</strong> support <strong>of</strong>international partners. The benefits <strong>of</strong> GNSS technology cut across applications and acrosscountries. It is fur<strong>the</strong>r emphasized that <strong>the</strong> importance <strong>of</strong> simultaneous development <strong>of</strong>Information and Communications Technology (ICT) and related infrastructure is necessary forsustainable use <strong>of</strong> GNSS. Policy and decision-makers should be made aware <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> criticalimportance <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> ICT in <strong>the</strong> development and successful utilization <strong>of</strong> GNSS.104