Ladies and Gentlemen,

I would like to take this opportunity to welcome you to Cairo and to ITU TELECOM AFRICA 2004.

As you may already know, AFRICA is one of a global portfolio of events organized by ITU in each of the world's key regions. ITU has been holding events for the global telecommunications industry since 1971 to provide a meeting place for industry, government and telecommunication practioners to stake stock of technological development, broker business deals and consider ways to further expand access to ICT networks and services.

Held in a country which has pioneered several successful ICT policies under the able leadership of Minister Nazif, ITU TELECOM AFRICA 2004 will no doubt provide visitors and participants with the opportunity to access and explore the tremendous range of opportunities which the whole region has to offer. Visitors to the Exhibition at this event will be able to view a wide range of the latest technologies, from wireless solutions to satellite technologies, components and accessories that can meet the development needs of the region. In parallel with the exhibition, there will be a Forum where speakers and participants will explore a variety of areas which are crucial to the continued growth of Africa's telecommunications market, from policy issues to new infrastructure solutions, and will review their suitability for the region.

In recent years, the Africa region has become an increasingly significant investment destination. Its telecommunications sector has witnessed major growth. A key driver behind this growth has been the region's mobile market. Mobile subscribers in Africa have experienced a 1 000% in the past five years to reach 51.8 million. This is twice as many as fixed line subscribers. Mobile growth has been boosted by a number of factors, from the enormous flexibility of mobile technology to fit the needs of different markets, to an increasingly competitive climate spreading across the region.

Market liberalization has led to the emergence of sector competition. And this has also brought with it a whole range of opportunities for new market entrants. To support the onset of competition, new regulatory frameworks have been established and pro-growth practices implemented in several countries.

This increasingly attractive operating climate, and the many opportunities it has opened up, has drawn a number of new players toward African markets. The emergence of pan-regional operators such as MTN, Orascom and Vodacom now supply mobile phone services in Africa in markets that had not been considered viable by many foreign operators. Because they know the local markets, they have able to deliver the type of business solutions that met the socio-economic profile of customers. With a booming mobile sector and growing demand for Internet access, foreign operators are now starting to look towards Africa to counter slowing levels of growth within the developed markets.

Africa's renaissance is there. It is crucial, therefore, that decision-makers do their utmost to continue to implement sector reform. This will help to maintain a transparent operating environment, and one which continues to attract investors.

Sector reform is one of a number of areas where ITU provides valuable assistance. ITU helps member states navigate their way through the sea of complex issues surrounding telecommunications governance. ITU provides vital, impartial guidance and support in creating and implementing new policies. This guidance helps countries to implement telecommunications policies that work while suiting their own needs.

We produce reports which track essential information needed by governments and regulators to formulate suitable policy and regulatory decisions and to assess their effectiveness once implemented. There is the famous series of Telecommunication Development Reports which analyze trends and developments globally and by region. You will shortly discover the key findings of the latest report for Africa launched here in a few minutes on the occasion of Africa 2004. And ITU's efforts are bearing fruit. Africa's ICT policy landscape has transformed. New policies are focused on creating competition friendly environments, and encouraging operators to expand into new areas. Mobile operators are being encouraged to deploy business strategies such as community payphones, which serve the communications needs of poor or rural areas. And to encourage greater use of the Internet, various African governments are pioneering policies such as the subsidizing of ISP (Internet Service Provider) subscriptions, the provision of low-cost PCs to home users through a loan programme in which subscribers pay off the cost of the PC through their monthly telephone bills or the adoption of special rates for schools and universities to encourage Internet use among students.

Sector reform and governance is just one of the ITU's roles, however. We at ITU have 4 major roles, which are all of great importance in today's fast changing telecommunications marketplace.

Our roles span a range of vital areas such as the management of radio frequency spectrum - a core and finite resource, the development of global standards that enable nations to benefit from access to leading-edge communications and provide a basis for commercial applications of technological advances on a global scale. It also includes the development of ICTs in the many countries where easy access to even basic voice services remains too often a distant reality as well as policy advice achieved through research and analysis that identify emerging trends in the telecommunications environment and analyze their implications for government and industry. In your media kit you will find several documents that provides useful background information on the ITU's roles and mission, to assist you in your coverage.

ITU TELECOM events are a key part of our mandate, fostering the exchange of ideas, knowledge and technological know-how, for the benefit of humankind.

Our events are not only an opportunity for industry and government to come together and forge partnerships to help grow networks and extend service. They are also a fundamental part of our broader responsibility to do all we can to help the world communicate. During this week, therefore, we must take stock and act upon the opportunities which this event offers, and so do our utmost to support a continued growth of ICT in the region.

Thank you.