Geneva, 27 September 2004 — ITU TELECOM is heading for Brazil in 2005. Salvador da Bahia, Brazil has been selected as the host venue for ITU TELECOM AMERICAS 2005, which is to be held from 3-6 October.

Backed by recovering economies and ever-improving investment climates, especially in Brazil, Chile and Mexico, AMERICAS 2005 will provide an exceptional opportunity to make contacts and seal deals in the region’s dynamic information and communication technologies (ICT) sector. "Salvador da Bahia provides a spectacular setting for the region’s top names in the information and communication technologies (ICT) sector to meet, network and analyze the trends unfolding in this fast-growing region," said Mr Yoshio Utsumi, Secretary-General of the ITU, the organizers of the event. "This will be a key event not only to see the technologies and applications that are shaping the region’s ICT sector, but also for examining core policy and investment issues that are central to its growth."

AMERICAS 2005 will comprise an Exhibition, which will feature the latest technologies that could be deployed in the region, as well as a major pan-Americas Forum. The Forum provides a platform to explore the wide range of growth opportunities that the region offers, as well as to debate critical policy and development issues.

The last ITU TELECOM AMERICAS event was held in Rio de Janeiro in 2000. It was inaugurated by then President Cardoso of Brazil, and attended by a host of industry, government and political dignitaries from across the region and around the world.

The coastal city of Salvador da Bahia is a key destination for business events and tourism and has a rich cultural heritage. ITU TELECOM AMERICAS will take place at the Bahia Convention Centre, a modern conference and exhibition centre located in the city’s financial centre.

About ITU