IMSO Director General participates in APSCO Symposium 2024 in Sharjah, UAE

IMSO Director General, Mr. Laurent Parenté participates in the Asia-Pacific Space Cooperation Organization (APSCO) International Symposium 2024, held from November 5-7 in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates. The symposium, titled “Developments in Space Communications – The Regional Balance and Challenges,” gathered leaders from the space industry and various intergovernmental organizations (IGOs) to explore the transformative impact of satellite communications on global infrastructure and security.

During his address, the Director General emphasized the critical role of satellite communications in connecting industries, governments, and communities worldwide. He highlighted how satellite-provided global internet access is increasingly considered a public utility, vital to modern life and comparable to access to clean water or electricity. With satellite services becoming indispensable, the Director General underscored the need for robust frameworks to ensure these services remain reliable and secure, especially as they transition from commercial offerings to essential public services.

Drawing on IMSO’s mission, the Director General discussed the organization’s role in providing independent oversight for maritime satellite safety standards, including the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS) and the Long-Range Identification and Tracking (LRIT) system. These frameworks ensure that satellite providers comply with safety standards, enhancing maritime safety and security on a global scale. IMSO’s model demonstrates how IGOs can create accountability in sectors critical to public safety, even as private providers dominate the market.

The Director General proposed that IMSO’s oversight model could serve as a blueprint for other sectors increasingly dependent on satellite communications. By balancing public service obligations with the commercial activities of private providers, IMSO provides a pathway for other sectors to achieve security, accountability, and accessibility.

He concluded by acknowledging the challenges ahead, noting that IGOs may need to adopt more flexible governance structures to keep pace with technological advancements. Such adaptability, the Director General suggested, will be essential to ensure that satellite services can meet the growing demands of a globally connected world.