Geneva, 8 September — ITU TELECOM WORLD is heading for Hong Kong, China in 2006. The next WORLD event, to be held from 4-8 December 2006 at Asia World Expo, Hong Kong, China, was launched at ITU TELECOM ASIA 2004 in Busan, Republic of Korea.

"We want to ensure that we are taking into account, and meeting, the changing face and needs of the industry we serve," said Mr Yoshio Utsumi, Secretary-General of ITU, "Asia has become a centre for the global ICT industry and Hong Kong, China, with its superb communications and transport infrastructure, will provide a dynamic venue for ITU TELECOM WORLD."

Mr John Tsang, Secretary for Commerce, Industry and Technology Bureau, Government of the Special Administrative region of Hong Kong, People's Republic of China noted, "Hong Kong is determined to give all participants of ITU TELECOM WORLD 2006 a fruitful experience in widening their business network worldwide and exploring further opportunities in the China market."

ITU TELECOM WORLD 2006 offers a full range of onsite opportunities for participants as well as new innovations and services. The event will provide a platform for the leading figures across the industry; from government and regulators to operators, service providers and vendors to come together, meet, network, do business and help shape the future of the world’s ICT industry. The ITU Forum will run alongside a world-class exhibition while services such as the TELECOM Village, VIP lounges as well as a host of social events will mean that the event’s opportunities for networking are unrivalled.

ITU’s unique position as the specialized agency of the United Nations for telecommunications means that it is able to provide a platform where the world’s most influential and significant names in ICT can come together. From service providers, vendors and operators to governments and regulators, ITU TELECOM WORLD events attract the key names from across the full reach of the industry.

The ITU TELECOM WORLD event was organized for the first time in 1971, and was an instant success that has since been repeated every four years, and from now on every three years. The events typically attract some 14,500 visitors daily, with around 1000 exhibitors from across the globe and across the spectrum of the ICT industry. They receive extensive coverage within global media, with an average of 1500 media accrediting for each event.