Global navigation satellite systems (GNSS) technologies are now ubiquitous in everyday life: they are incorporated in electronic devices and are used by the public, surveyors, and geoscientists on a regular basis. In developing countries in particular, GNSS applications offer cost-effective solutions that make it possible to foster economic and social development without neglecting the need to preserve the environment, thus promoting sustainable development.
Satellite navigation systems in use around the world are the Global Positioning System (GPS) of the United States of America, the Global Navigation Satellite System (GLONASS) of the Russian Federation, the BeiDou Navigation Satellite System (BDS) of China and the European satellite navigation system (GALILEO) of the European Union. Regional systems that provide additional signals from satellites operating over a given geographical area include the Navigation with Indian Constellation (NavIC) system of India and the Quasi-Zenith Satellite System (QZSS) of Japan, which are also compatible with one or more GNSS. These systems are being further developed and improved to ensure the continued provision of reliable and accurate positioning, navigation and timing (PNT) services, thereby enabling new possibilities and applications.
The International Committee on GNSS (ICG) has encouraged tangible international cooperation and facilitated compatibility and interoperability among the different GNSS services with a view to ensuring that satellite-based PNT services together provide global coverage for the benefit of all. ICG acts as a platform for open discussions and the exchange of information under the umbrella of the United Nations.
The availability of GNSS and other space-based systems is creating an unprecedented opportunity, bringing benefits in the areas of emergency management, marine and land monitoring, or fleet control to name a few. Due to this availability, the development of integrated applications is an area in rapid expansion. To address a wide array of GNSS applications for socioeconomic benefits and to focus on initiating pilot projects and strengthening the networking of GNSS-related institutions in the region, a Workshop on the Applications of GNSS will be held in Jakarta from 17 to 21 November 2025. This workshop is being organized by the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs in cooperation with National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) and Universitas Indonesia (UI). The workshop is co-organized and co-sponsored by the International Committee on GNSS (ICG). The workshop will be hosted by National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) and Universitas Indonesia (UI) on behalf of the Government of Indonesia.
The main objectives of the workshop will be to reinforce the exchange of information between countries and scale up the capacities in the region pursuing the application of GNSS technology solutions; share information on national, regional, and global projects and initiatives, which could benefit regions; and enhance cross-fertilization among those projects and initiatives.
The specific objectives of the workshop will be to introduce GNSS-based technology and its applications; promote the greater exchange of actual experiences with specific applications; focus on appropriate GNSS applications projects at the national and/or regional levels; and define recommendations and findings to be forwarded as a contribution to the Office for Outer Space Affairs and ICG, particularly, in forging partnerships to strengthen and deliver capacity-building on satellite navigation science and technology.
The expected outcomes of the workshop will be recommendations and findings on discussed topics to be adopted by the workshop participants; preliminary agreement of cooperation between countries in the region and action plan addressing identified issues/concerns.
The discussions at the workshop will also be linked to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and to its targets set out for Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), such as:
The workshop programme will include plenary sessions and sufficient time for discussions among participants to identify the priority areas where pilot projects should be launched and examine possible partnerships that could be established. The Local Organizing Committee will arrange a half-day technical/cultural tour during the workshop. As a preliminary suggestion, the following sessions will be organized:
| Thematic Sessions |
Session 1: Current and planned GNSS and satellite-based augmentation systems
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Session 2: GNSS-based applications focusing on, but not limited to
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Session 3 (Seminar): GNSS spectrum protection and interference detection and mitigation
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Session 4: GNSS data processing
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Session 5: GNSS and Space Weather
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Session 6: GNSS reference frames/systems and reference station networks
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Session 6: Capacity building, training, institutional strengthening and education in the field of GNSS
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| Discussion Sessions |
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