“This year, 2015, marks the 150th anniversary of the International Telecommunication Union. Established in 1865, ITU has reaffirmed its reputation worldwide as one of the most resilient and relevant organizations and continues its work as the specialized agency of the United Nations, and its oldest member, dealing with stateof- the-art telecommunications and information and communication technologies.

The remarkable history of ITU exemplifies its stellar role in connecting the world to the most advanced and innovative means of communication, from the days of the telegraph to the Internet and mobile broadband, which now allows us to be in touch anytime, anywhere with friends, family, colleagues and even things.

As we celebrate our 150th anniversary, we look back with pride at our accomplishments. And we look forward to the future as we respond to the rapid changes in the global ICT environment.

The digital revolution has transformed the world. The global economy is now driven by ICTs – technologies which pervade every aspect of our lives. ICTs are also the catalysts for shaping the post-2015 development agenda and achieving our goals for sustainable development. The next steps will be further evolution with far greater efficiencies and affordability allowing more people to access the benefits of ICTs.

I wish you a very productive 150th anniversary in 2015.”