BRAZIL

STATEMENT BY His Excellency MR Helio Costa
Minister for Communications of Brazil

Mr Chairman, Ladies and gentlemen,

It is needless to remind the participants of this Conference the impressive way technologies of communications have evolved in the past decade. In fact, mobile telephony, broadband communications and Internet became synonymous and indicators of progress in today’s world.

The convergence of the traditional telecommunications services and internet broadband has placed our sector as a core tool for economic growth, which is based on knowledge, and hard work of course.

In the modern information society, telecommunications play a major role in every sector of the economy and contribute to areas as so diverse as health, education and public safety to reach out and benefit all citizens.

For this reason, a great deal of importance is given to the expansion and universalization of access to information to everyone in Brazil.

We are the fifth in the world with about 100 million cell phones in operation. Another forty million in fixed telephone lines and our goal for the next few years is to have broadband internet access in every one of the more then five thousand cities in Brazil. It is a big challenge, but we will make it.

Since the Internet and other information and communications technologies have re-invent themselves at an incredible speed, it becomes necessary that ITU adapts itself to better respond to the challenges of implementing the Information Society all over the world.

The first step to be taken is to establish means and conditions so that the ITU can promote greater cooperation among its Member States and that new mechanisms be defined allowing for the fulfillment of its new roles and responsibilities.

I would like to call your attention for the leadership that the ITU assumed during the works of the two phases of the World Summit on the Information Society. In our view, the decisions adopted by the WSIS set up the guidelines and principles that will direct the activities of the ITU for the years to come. And we must take into account that this new environment must be people centered.

This transformation will require the cooperation and the involvement of all nations and its consolidation will certainly have positive impact in diminishing the digital gap that separates developed from developing nations.

It is now up to the delegates empower ITU to be renewed and have its objectives reviewed and expanded, in such way that it can maintain its leadership role in this ever changing area. Our proposal documents for the work of the Conference reflect in detail our position and we expect a deep analysis on this issue.

Additionally, Brazil proposes contributions together with the members of CITEL, including the important support to the Radio Regulation Board, to the Personnel's Committee, to an unrestricted access to the Technical Recommendations, and to the reformulation of the ITU Telecoms.

Finally, I believe that a strong, modern ITU, responsive to the new challenges and promises of telecommunications and to the demands of all its members, must be directed by a team of experienced professionals with wide knowledge. I am sure that in the forthcoming elections the best candidates will be chosen for the key posts of the organization.

My administration put forward for the consideration of the Conference the name of Roberto Blois, a highly qualified professional with extensive services rendered to the world of telecommunications, in particular at ITU, whose election will contribute enormously to the enhancement of the Union.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Government of Turkey for the warm reception and for the great organization of this important event.

Thank you Mr Chairman.