World Meteorological Organization

The International Forum of users of satellite data telecommunication systems is an entirely self-funded body jointly sponsored by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) of UNESCO, of the United Nations in the view to address the requirements of these two Organizations for the timely collection via satellite of environmental data from observing platforms.
The Forum shall:
Provide coordination amongst the users of satellite data telecommunication systems (SDTS) and represent their collective interests in working with the satellite telecommunication service providers and the industry in order to advance the awareness and understanding of the user requirements;
Advance the awareness and understanding of available and planned capabilities;
Facilitate adoption of interoperability and quality standards and principles as needed;
Investigate and propose as needed cooperative and tariff negotiation mechanisms on the use of satellite data telecommunication systems;
Facilitate the preparation of technical advice and guidance that will optimize STDS choices for each considered application.
Report to the executive bodies of WMO and IOC through the Commission for Basic Systems (CBS), the Joint WMO-IOC Technical Commission for Oceanography and Marine Meteorology (JCOMM), and the GOOS Steering Committee respectively.
Membership is open to all representatives of the co-sponsors stakeholders.
(TOR Approved Cg-17)