Dr. Hamadoun Toure - Secretary General of ITU

Mr. Chairman,

Distinguished delegates,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Viet Nam would like to share the views of other delegations on the important role of the ITU and the need to promote our multilateral cooperation in addressing new challenges for the sustainable development of ICT.

Under the umbrella of the ITU, members are cooperating actively to promote the use of technologies in realizing our information society. With respect to our directions in the next 4 years, I wish to bring to your attention a number of issues and challenges that policy makers and regulators are facing to foster ICT sustainable development.

First, the ICT capacity of people in rural areas is still a challenge for us in our effort to bridge the digital divide. We are working hard to ensure the digital divide would not result in broadband divide, and to foster the accessibility and relevant contents for rural areas. But as we expand our broadband infrastructures, it is also their capacity that makes our investments effective. In addition to effort of each member, I wish to urge the ITU and international donors to provide more support to capacity building programs.

Second, we have recently seen the introduction of new services on our broadband networks. The Internet or 3G/4G subscribers can now use their smart phone/devices for calling and messaging without any charge. This is certainly an opportunity for the users. But from the regulators' perspective, there are issues to take into account to ensure the sustainable development of the market, the quality and reliability of services for the benefit of end users. These new developments, together with other key issues such as green ICT and information security, would require the ITU and all members to collaborate more proactively.

Third, the demand for affordable broadband services, particularly in developing members, will be on top of our priorities. Apparently, broadband universal services are becoming our obligation. Vietnam is willing to work with other members in this effort. And since wireless broadband has been essential, we are ready to join regional and global programs to develop wireless broadband sustainably and universally. With the introduction of new technologies and broadband applications, our close collaboration in spectrum regulation would make new services more affordable and sustainable.

In this regard, Vietnam has nominated a candidate to run for the member of the Radiocommunication Regulations Board (RRB), in region E. We do believe that, with his knowledge and experience in this field, Vietnam's candidate could effectively contribute to RRB in its important but challenging missions. Vietnam hopes that you will support our candidate in the election at the forthcoming PP in Busan.

Ladies and gentlemen,

I wish to take this opportunity to express our sincere thanks to the ITU Secretariat, in Headquarter and ITU Asia Pacific regional office for their hard work and close collaboration with members. I would also like to thank the Government of the United Arab Emirates for their hospitability extended to our delegation during this WTDC meeting.

Thank you for your kind attention./.