The International Telecommunications Union (ITU) agreed with ICO Global Communications and the Commonwealth Business Council (CBC) to use satellite communications for improved global response in the face of natural disasters.

ICO will provide airtime on its F2 satellite for disaster prevention and effective response in the aftermath of natural disasters through both voice communications and other telecommunication applications, including telemedicine. An hour's airtime will be provided every day for use through ITU to help countries maintain preparedness, provide early-warning information, and elicit quick response. In the event of a disaster, this time will be adjusted according to the demand to facilitate rescue-and-rehabilitation efforts.

"The partnership that we have established is an important milestone towards ITU's effort to save human life," said Dr. Hamadoun Touré, secretary-general of ITU. "Satellite communication provides a platform to deliver a wide range of services and applications even to remote areas. In the digital age, we are able to provide an information communications technology (ICT) lifeline to disaster victims and humanitarian personnel entrusted with coordinating rescue and relief operations, especially when terrestrial communications infrastructure is disrupted, overloaded, or destroyed."

ITU will manage and coordinate emergency telecommunications; CBC will provide content and manage the entrepreneurial skill development program.

For more information go to Radio Resource Media Group at http://www.radioresourcemag.com/news.cfm

GENEVA, Jun 20, 2007 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- ICO Global Communications (Holdings) Limited (ICO) (NASDAQ:ICOG) today announced that ICO, the International Telecommunications Union (ITU), a specialized agency of the United Nations, and the Commonwealth Business Council (CBC), an organization which serves to foster cooperation between business and governments, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). The MOU's objectives are to establish collaborative linkages between the Parties in the area of Emergency Telecommunication Systems and Global Information Systems, and more particularly, for ICO to provide state and non-state organizations free access to ICO's F2 orbiting MEO satellite for non-commercial purposes.

ITU Secretary General Hamadoun Toure commented, "The partnership that we have established with ICO Global Communications and the Commonwealth Business Council is an important milestone towards ITU's effort to save human life. Satellite communication provides a platform to deliver a wide range of services and applications even to remote areas. In the digital age, we are able to provide an ICT lifeline to disaster victims and humanitarian personnel entrusted with coordinating rescue and relief operations, especially when terrestrial communications infrastructure is disrupted, overloaded or destroyed. We thank ICO for being a reliable partner from the satellite industry and for contributing innovative technologies."

"ICO strongly supports the goals of the ITU and the CBC, and we are pleased to be able to contribute ICO's satellite services to these efforts," added J. Timothy Bryan, ICO's CEO. "ICO's development and implementation of S band technology globally, including our announced vendor initiatives for ICO North America and the ICO P MEO system, will serve our interests well as we continue to work with key suppliers to create advanced user terminals to access F2 for humanitarian and emergency uses."

"CBC is pleased to work with the ITU and ICO to contribute towards development and disaster preparedness. What is required for the future is increased economic empowerment of wider segments of society, to lift people out of poverty and give them new opportunity. This can be achieved by bringing technology and innovation to the service of many. We need to pursue the 'democratisation of knowledge', by making technology more widely and freely accessible. By means of tele-education and entrepreneurial development programmes CBC will equip and prepare global citizens for economic empowerment and disaster management," said Dr Mohan Kaul, Director General, Commonwealth Business Council.

For more information go to ICO at http://investor.ico.com/releasedetail.cfm?ReleaseID=250140

Voice and data service will help co-ordinate response to major global incidents

ITU forges partnership with ICO Global Communications and Commonwealth Business Council

Geneva, 20 June 2007 — ITU reached agreement today with ICO Global Communications and the Commonwealth Business Council to utilize satellite communications for improved global response in the face of natural disasters.

Natural calamities have spread mayhem around the world, severely impacting the lives of people and the environment. The recent spate of tsunamis, earthquakes, hurricanes, volcanic eruptions, floods, landslides and forest fires have left behind a legacy of lost and broken lives, economic upheaval and sheer devastation, imposing long-lasting impediments to sustainable development and global efforts for poverty reduction. The poor, especially those living in remote and isolated areas, are the most vulnerable and disaster-prone.

In 2006 alone, 21'800 people succumbed to natural disasters, with 95 per cent of those killed residing in least developed countries. USD 65 billion of economic loss was recorded worldwide.

For more information see Reliefweb at http://www.reliefweb.int/rw/RWB.NSF/db900SID/DHRV-74D3AH?OpenDocument

The United Nations International Telecommunications Union (<"http://www.itu.int/newsroom/press_releases/2007/15.html">ITU) today joined forces with a communications firm and a business organisation to employ satellites to bolster the global response to natural disasters.

The poor - especially those living in remote and isolated areas - are most vulnerable to calamities, which wreak havoc and impede sustainable development and poverty reduction efforts.

"Satellite communication provides a platform to deliver a wide range of services and applications even to remote areas," said Hamadoun TourôUITU's Secretary-General.

Last year alone, nearly 22,000 people lost their lives due to natural disasters, with 95 per cent of the deaths occurring in the least developed countries.

"In the digital age, we are able to provide an [information and communications technology] lifeline to disaster victims and humanitarian personnel entrusted with coordinating rescue and relief operations, especially when terrestrial communications infrastructure is disrupted, overloaded or destroyed," Dr. Toure said.

For more information, go to  News Blaze at http://newsblaze.com/story/20070621152328tsop.nb/newsblaze/TOPSTORY/Top-Stories.html

GENEVA, June 22, 2007 - Satnews Daily - The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) has reached an agreement with ICO Global Communications and the Commonwealth Business Council (CBC) to utilize satellite communications for improved global response in the face of natural disasters.

Natural calamities have spread mayhem around the world, severely impacting the lives of people and the environment. In 2006 alone, 21,800 people succumbed to natural disasters, with 95 per cent of those killed residing in least developed countries. These calamities inflicted economic damage estimated at $65 billion worldwide.

ICO Global Communications will provide airtime on their F2 satellite for disaster prevention and effective response in the aftermath of natural disasters through both voice communications and other telecommunication applications, including telemedicine. An hour’s airtime will be provided every day for use through ITU to help countries maintain preparedness, provide early-warning information and elicit quick response. In the event of a disaster, this time will be adjusted according to demand to facilitate rescue and rehabilitation efforts.

"The partnership that we have established with ICO Global Communications and the Commonwealth Business Council is an important milestone towards ITU’s effort to save human life," said Dr Hamadoun Touré, Secretary-general of ITU. "Satellite communication provides a platform to deliver a wide range of services and applications even to remote areas. In the digital age, we are able to provide an ICT lifeline to disaster victims and humanitarian personnel entrusted with coordinating rescue and relief operations, especially when terrestrial communications infrastructure is disrupted, overloaded or destroyed."

While ITU will manage and coordinate emergency telecommunications, CBC will provide content and manage the entrepreneurial skill development program.

 For more information, go to SatNews.com at     http://www.satnews.com/stories2007/4658/

By NNN-UNNS

June 21, 2007: International satellite communications for disaster avoidance and relief will be established after a joint agreement this week between the ICO Global Communications and the Commonwealth Business Council for the ‘democratisation of knowledge.’

According to the International Telecommunications Union (ITU), in 2006 alone 21,800 people succumbed to natural disasters while millions of homes and businesses were lost.

Under the agreement, ICO Global Communications will provide airtime on their F2 satellite for disaster prevention and effective response through both communications and other telecommunication applications. The ITU will be granted an hour’s airtime to assist countries in maintain their preparedness and early-warning information for effective response.

For more information, go to idm.net.au- Asia Pacific's Online Resource for Information Management at http://www.idm.net.au/story.asp?id=8551

Geneva, Jun 21 (Prensa Latina) The International Telecommunications Union (ITU) is forging agreements to use satellite communications for improved global response in the face of natural disasters.

Natural calamities have spread mayhem around the world, severely impacting the lives of people and the environment.

The recent spate of tsunamis, earthquakes, hurricanes, volcanic eruptions, floods, landslides and forest fires have left behind a legacy of lost and broken lives, economic upheaval and sheer devastation.

This, says a ITU press release, leads to long-lasting impediments to sustainable development and global efforts for poverty reduction. The poor, especially those living in remote and isolated areas, are the most vulnerable and disaster-prone.

In 2006 alone, 21.8 million people succumbed to natural disasters, with 95 per cent of those killed residing in least developed countries.

Economic losses for USD 65 billion were recorded worldwide.

One of ITU s agreements provides for ICO Global Communications to give airtime on their F2 satellite for disaster prevention and effective response in the aftermath of natural disasters through both voice communications and other telecommunication applications, including telemedicine.

An hour's airtime will be provided every day for use through ITU to help countries maintain preparedness, provide early-warning information and elicit quick response.

In the event of a disaster, this time will be adjusted according to demand to facilitate rescue and rehabilitation efforts.

Dr Hamadoun Touré, Secretary-general of ITU says "Satellite communication provides a platform to deliver a wide range of services and applications even to remote areas. In the digital age, we are able to provide an ICT lifeline to disaster victims and humanitarian personnel entrusted with coordinating rescue and relief operations, especially when terrestrial communications infrastructure is disrupted, overloaded or destroyed."

While ITU will manage and coordinate emergency telecommunications, the Commonwealth Business Council (CBC) will provide content and manage the entrepreneurial skill development programme.

For more information, go to Prensa Latina at  http://www.plenglish.com/article.asp?ID=%7B64D32E0C-77D7-4522-96D0-9AB08B19A717%7D)&language=EN

The International Telecommunication Union along with the Commonwealth Telecommunication Organization (CTO) organized a three-day Forum 26-28 September on Using ICT for Effective Disaster Management. The meeting at Ochos Rios, Jamaica adopted a road map for better coordination in the use of state-of-the-art information and communication technologies (ICT) aimed at improved disaster preparedness and mitigation. This includes:

Speaking at the opening session of the Forum, Mr Philip Paulwell, Minister of Industry, Technology, Energy & Commerce of Jamaica, reiterated that the Caribbean countries are among the most vulnerable areas in the world to tropical cyclonic events. "Following the 2004 Ivan hurricane disaster and Emily in 2005 it became evident that the lack of communications was one of the significant weaknesses of the regional disaster management framework," Mr Paulwell said. "Both intra-agency communications as well as public information have been identified as requiring improvement." He added that we should "move forward through the creation of an effective process for the development of early-warning information using ICT and media broadcast technologies, develop a publicly accessible website containing real-time disaster monitoring information, and implement a regional database of survey results and findings for selected disaster events to support the project’s engagement with policy-makers."

The three-day forum focused on improving early-warning communication and disaster preparedness in the Caribbean region, developed practical tools to augment national disaster management strategies and initiatives, built effective relationships among national and regional stakeholders in effective disaster management and mitigation, assessed the impact of recent disasters and discussed the role of ICTs in disaster risk prevention, preparedness, relief and reconstruction.

Still reeling from the aftermath of the 2005 hurricane season, the most active and destructive in history, experts in the Caribbean region decided to look the storms in the eye and prepare for future disasters. In 2005, a record number of 27 storms and as many as 13 hurricanes pounded the vulnerable Caribbean coastline. These included Hurricane Wilma, the most intense in recorded history, and Katrina, the most destructive with an estimated USD 50 billion in insured damage.

Access to information is of paramount importance in the immediate aftermath of a disaster for relief agencies to coordinate search-and-rescue, medical intervention and rehabilitation efforts. There is an urgent need to establish effective and comprehensive communication links between the affected area, national disaster response facilities, and with the larger international community. This is particularly important for countries with fragile economies and countries with special needs, such as least developed countries and Small Island Developing States.

More information on ITU's press releases website at http://www.itu.int/newsroom/press_releases/2006/18.html

Manager of the Nevis Disaster Management Office (NDMO), Lester Blackett and Nevis Island Administration Director of Information & Public Information Officer with the Nevis Disaster Management Committee, Huey Sargeant are attending a three-day Forum entitled 'Using Information and Communication Technology (ICT) for effective Disaster Management'. 

The 2005 hurricane season wreaked havoc in the Caribbean region. Never before had the Atlantic seen 27 tropical storms -- including four in category 5 -- and as many as 15 hurricanes in one season. The storms left a death toll of 2,280 people in their wake, with more than 3 million people displaced and an estimated USD100 billion in economic damage.

In response to a call for action from the World Telecommunication Development Conference (WTDC-06) to develop ICT-based solutions to cope with emergency situations, the International Telecommunication Union along with the Commonwealth Telecommunications Organization (CTO) is organizing the Caribbean Forum 2006 on Using ICT for Effective Disaster Management. The event, which will be held in Ocho Rios, Jamaica, Sept. 26-28, 2006, aims at improving early-warning communication and disaster preparedness in the Caribbean region while reducing vulnerability to natural disasters and mitigating their effects through the effective use of information and communication technologies (ICT).

The three-day forum will address policy, regulatory and technological issues related to emergency telecommunications and look at practical ways by which ICT can help mitigate disasters.

More information on Public CIO - Folsom,CA,USA at http://www.public-cio.com/newsStory.php?id=2006.08.31-100816

Stepping up its efforts for disaster mitigation and relief, the United Nations today announced an agreement with the Thuraya Satellite Telecommunications Company to provide portable satellite terminals, a major factor in rescue operations.

“The tsunami that wreaked havoc in south East Asia, the Kashmir earthquake, the Suriname floods, and the Indonesia earthquake have demonstrated the power of emergency telecommunications in saving lives and coordinating efforts during rescue operations such as the setting up of telemedicine links,” said Yoshio Utsumi, Secretary-General the UN International Telecommunication Union (ITU), which concluded the accord.

Thuraya, the United Arab Emirates satellite-based company, is contributing handheld satellite terminals along with solar chargers, while ITU will pay for airtime at discounted rates offered by Thuraya and cover transportation costs of telecommunications equipment to and from disaster-hit areas. ITU will also provide its expertise in technical and operational training for government officials involved in rescue missions.

In the light of a spate of recent natural disasters, the World Telecommunication Development Conference meeting in Doha in March called upon ITU to develop solutions in emergency telecommunications directed at improving early-warning communication, disaster preparedness and mitigation.

More information on Noticias Info, Spain at http://www.noticias.info/asp/aspComunicados.asp?nid=200035&src=0

The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and Thuraya Satellite Telecommunications Company yesterday announced an agreement to provide portable satellite terminals to assist countries in disaster mitigation and relief. The agreement comes in response to a call to the ITU during the World Telecommunications Development Conference (WTDC) held in Doha in March, to develop such an emergency telecommunications systems.

In the light of a spate of natural disasters and calamities in recent times, the World Telecommunication Development Conference (WTDC-06) meeting in Doha in March 2006 called upon ITU to develop ICT-based solutions in emergency telecommunications directed at improving early-warning communication, disaster preparedness and mitigation.

This is a critical area of concern especially for countries with fragile economies and special needs, such as least developed countries and small island developing states.

For more information, go to The Peninsula on-line, Qatar's leading English daily at http://www.thepeninsulaqatar.com/Display_news.asp?section=Local_News&subsection=Qatar+News&month=July2006&file=Local_News2006071191841.xml

The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and UAE based Thuraya Satellite Telecommunications (Thuraya) have concluded an agreement to provide portable satellite terminals to assist countries in disaster mitigation and relief.

Under the agreement, Thuraya would be providing handheld satellite terminals along with solar chargers, and ITU will pay for airtime at discounted rates offered by Thuraya and cover the transportation costs of telecommunications equipment to and from disaster-hit areas. ITU will also provide its know-how in technical and operational training for government officials involved in rescue missions.

In the light of a spate of natural disasters and calamities in recent times, the World Telecommunication Development Conference (WTDC-06) meeting in March 2006 called upon ITU to develop ICT-based solutions in emergency telecommunications aimed at improving early-warning communication, disaster preparedness and mitigation.

The Thuraya terminals, which support voice and data applications and remote location based services via GPS, are expected to help provide vital link via satellite during such times. When regular cellular networks are available, the GSM-enabled Thuraya handsets can automatically switch to the terrestrial network for greater affordability, ITU informed.

More information on Digital Media Asia, Mumbai at http://www.digitalmediaasia.com/default.asp?ArticleID=16625

The International Telecommunication Union and Thuraya Satellite Telecommunications Company have concluded an agreement to provide portable satellite terminals to assist countries in disaster mitigation and relief.

Thuraya, the United Arab Emirates satellite-based company, is contributing handheld satellite terminals along with solar chargers; ITU will pay for airtime at discounted rates offered by Thuraya and cover the transportation costs of telecommunications equipment to and from disaster-hit areas. ITU will also provide its expertise in technical and operational training for government officials involved in rescue missions.

In the light of a spate of natural disasters and calamities in recent times, the World Telecommunication Development Conference (WTDC-06) meeting in Doha in March 2006 called upon ITU to develop ICT-based solutions in emergency telecommunications directed at improving early-warning communication, disaster preparedness and mitigation. This is a critical area of concern especially for countries with fragile economies and special needs, such as least developed countries and small island developing states.

More information on Relief Web, Switzerland at http://www.reliefweb.int/rw/RWB.NSF/db900SID/KHII-6RL3EN?OpenDocument

The International Telecommunication Union and United Arab Emirates' Thuraya Satellite will cooperate to provide portable satellites for disaster relief.

Thuraya Satellite Telecommunications will be providing handheld satellite terminals as well as solar charges to help countries overcome disasters. ITU, meanwhile, will pay for airtime at discounted rates offered by Thuraya in addition to covering the transport costs of the equipment to and from disaster areas.

"The tsunami that wreaked havoc in south East Asia, the Kashmir earthquake, the Suriname floods, and the Indonesia earthquake have demonstrated the power of emergency telecommunications in saving lives and coordinating efforts during rescue operations such as the setting up of telemedicine links," said the ITU's chief, Yoshio Utsumi.

More information on United Press International, USA at http://www.upi.com/Hi-Tech/view.php?StoryID=20060710-010552-9299r

The United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS) will hold its forty-ninth session in Vienna, Austria, from 7 to 16 June.

Topics such as space and water, space and education and the recommendations of the World Summit on the Information Society, will be on the agenda. The Committee will also discuss issues raised in the reports of its two Subcommittees – the Scientific and Technical Subcommittee and the Legal Subcommittee – on their sessions earlier this year. These include space-system-based disaster management support, space debris, the use of nuclear power sources in outer space, practice of States and international organizations in registering space objects and the definition and delimitation of outer space.

Space and Water

The Committee will be briefed on a pilot project in the area of "Space and water". At its session in 2005, the Committee heard a presentation on progress in preparing a pilot project that would apply space applications to the restoration of Lake Chad and the management of water resources in the Lake Chad basin. The representatives of those States involved in the pilot project will brief the Committee on the progress achieved in implementing the project.

Space and Education

The Committee will consider "Space and education", and will develop specific, concrete action plans for incorporating outer space into education, enhancing education in space, expanding space tools for education and ensuring that space-based services contribute to the achievement of the Millennium Development Goal on access to education. The Committee will also prepare a brief document on the role of space in education, as well as the link between space and education, for transmission to the General Conference of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).

Recommendations of the World Summit on the Information Society

The Committee will consider a new agenda item concerning the recommendations of the World Summit on the Information Society. The International Telecommunication Union will brief the Committee on the recommendations of the World Summit and their implementation.

For more information, go to Space Ref.com at http://www.spaceref.com/news/viewpr.html?pid=20019