Aviation, maritime and telecoms agencies have raised alarm over the increase in jamming and spoofing of satellite navigation systems.
The International Telecommunication Union (ITU), the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), and the International Maritime Organization (IMO) expressed "grave concern" over the increasing incidents of interference with aviation, maritime and other satellite telecommunications services.
In a joint statement, the agencies called on states to "urgently enhance their protection of a critical radio-frequency band."
They added that these cases of harmful interference are in the form of jamming and spoofing that disrupt Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) operating in the frequency bands allocated to the Radio Navigation Satellite Service (RNSS).
The joint statement, signed by the Secretaries-General of the three UN specialized agencies, identified key actions required from its member states such as protection of RNSS from harmful interference affecting civilian and humanitarian operations; strengthening resilience of RNSS-dependent navigation, positioning, and timing systems; and maintaining conventional navigation infrastructure for contingency support.
It also called on member-states to enhance collaboration between regulatory, aviation, maritime, defense, and enforcement authorities and implement a comprehensive interference reporting mechanism.
"The safety of seafarers and shipping relies on the resilience of systems to support safe navigation and communication. Interference with Global Navigation Satellite Systems poses a serious risk to shipping activities, which could cause collisions and grounding. I urge all Member States to act to protect these critical systems," IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez said.
Ships and ports rely on GNSS for a wide array of applications relating to position, velocity, and precise universal and local time, which are used mainly for navigation purposes and, most importantly, on systems that are part of the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS).
Regulation V/19.2.1.6 of the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS), 1974, requires that "all ships, irrespective of size, shall have a receiver for a global navigation satellite system or a terrestrial radio navigation system, or other means, suitable for use at all times throughout the intended voyage to establish and update the ship’s position by automatic means."
IMO's Maritime Safety Committee, through MSC.1/Circ.1644, has "urged Member States to take actions necessary to minimize interference coming from their territory, as required under the ITU Radio Regulations; consider issuing warning notices or advisories to mariners specifying the time periods and areas impacted by any known interferences to minimize negative effects upon maritime operations; and consider enacting measures that prevent unauthorized transmissions on recognized satellite navigation system frequencies."
Article 4.10 of the ITU Radio Regulations noted that "Member States recognize that the safety aspects of radionavigation and other safety services require special measures to ensure their freedom from harmful interference; it is necessary therefore to take this factor into account in the assignment and use of frequencies."
ICAO Secretary-General Juan Carlos Salazar said radio navigation satellite service interference can impact aircraft operations far beyond the immediately affected area, creating potential safety risks across multiple flight regions.
"ICAO is fully committed to working closely with Member States to implement these protective measures through existing aviation safety frameworks and standards," he added.
ITU Secretary-General Doreen Bogdan-Martin said global navigation satellite systems are "critical "to safety on land, at sea and in the air.
"Member States should ensure the uninterrupted operation of these systems for everyone’s safety and the resilience of essential services that our lives depend on," he added.
