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

Recommendation 1.Demonstration projects should be set up in <strong>the</strong> area <strong>of</strong> agriculture andhealth to convince and attract <strong>the</strong> attention <strong>of</strong> government policy anddecision makers in Africa.576. Agriculture is <strong>the</strong> mainstay <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> economies <strong>of</strong> most African countries. However, <strong>the</strong>reis a lack <strong>of</strong> knowledge <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> economic, political and pr<strong>of</strong>essional benefits <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> effective use <strong>of</strong>GNSS in agricultural development and diversification (in areas such as crop production,processing and planning, animal health and production and fisheries).Recommendation 2.International donors should support disease vector mapping projects inAfrica using GNSS.577. This will enhance understanding <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> spread <strong>of</strong> killer epidemics such as <strong>the</strong> acquiredimmune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) and malaria prevalent in Africa. Governments couldappreciate and consider <strong>the</strong> impact <strong>the</strong> technology <strong>of</strong> GNSS could have in enhancing healthresources management and disease control.Transportation578. The Working Group on Transportation during <strong>the</strong> United Nations/United States <strong>of</strong>America International Workshop on <strong>the</strong> Use and Applications <strong>of</strong> Global Navigation SatelliteSystems, held from 8 to 12 December 2003, Vienna, after having reviewed <strong>the</strong> survey <strong>report</strong> and<strong>the</strong> recommendations <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> previous regional workshops and <strong>the</strong> expert meeting, recommended<strong>the</strong> following proposals aimed at promoting <strong>the</strong> appreciation <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> potential socio-economicbenefits <strong>of</strong> GNSS technology application in <strong>the</strong> area <strong>of</strong> transportation and timing.579. The recommendations in <strong>the</strong> various segments <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> transport industry are as follows:Recommendation 1:Aviation580. The Working Group on Transportation noted that <strong>the</strong> activities <strong>of</strong> international civilaviation organizations such as ICAO, IATA, FAA, US-DOT, APEC, and ASECNA hadtremendously accelerated <strong>the</strong> adoption <strong>of</strong> GNSS (RNAV) technology in industry. A closecollaborative relationship with ICAO was recommended in o<strong>the</strong>r to exploit and optimiseresources for skills and capacity building, particularly for Air Traffic Controllers and Air TrafficManagers.581. In line with <strong>the</strong> need to facilitate <strong>the</strong> concept <strong>of</strong> “One Africa Sky” initiative, <strong>the</strong> Officefor Outer Space Affairs, in collaboration with ICAO and IATA, should convene a conferencewith all chief executives <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> aviation industry in Africa to deliberate and strategize on <strong>the</strong>implementation modalities and requirements.Recommendation 2:Road and Rail Transport582. Vehicle tracking and fleet management system were identified as an application areawhere practical benefits <strong>of</strong> GNSS technology could be easily demonstrated and appreciated,particularly in developing countries where road transport systems have remained <strong>the</strong> backbone <strong>of</strong>mass movement and <strong>the</strong> haulage industry. The potential large market for <strong>the</strong> GNSS industry inthis segment would justify <strong>the</strong> need to build an enabling infrastructure, as an awareness tool andalso as an important marketing tool for <strong>the</strong> would-be service providers.106