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.
Current GNSS include the Global Positioning System (GPS), the Global Navigation Satellite System (GLONASS), the BeiDou Navigation Satellite System (BDS) and the European Satellite Navigation System (Galileo). There are also two regional systems, the Navigation with Indian Constellation (NavIC) system and the Quasi-Zenith Satellite System (QZSS), as well as various augmentation systems designed to improve one or more GNSS qualities, such as accuracy, robustness, and signal availability.
In addition to GNSS, other space technologies such as Earth Observation (EO) satellites or communication satellites play a pivotal role creating socioeconomic benefits. Earth Observation satellites enable continuous and detailed monitoring of Earth's surface, providing valuable data for environmental protection, resource management, and disaster response. These satellites assist in tracking deforestation, urban sprawl, and changes in agricultural lands, and offer crucial insights for managing water resources and mitigating climate change impacts. Communication satellites, on the other hand, facilitate global connectivity, bridging the digital divide by providing internet access to remote and underserved areas, thus supporting education, telemedicine, and economic development. These technologies, together with GNSS, create a comprehensive toolkit to address various challenges related to sustainable development, ensuring a coordinated and efficient approach towards achieving the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
To address a wide array of GNSS and related technologies applications for socioeconomic benefits and to focus on initiating pilot projects and strengthening the networking of GNSS-related institutions, a Workshop on GNSS and related space technologies in support of urban sustainability challenges will be held in Màlaga, Spain from 18 to 22 November 2024. This workshop is being organized by the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs in cooperation with Spain. The workshop will be hosted by Ayuntamiento de Màlaga.
