STATEMENT BY H.E. AMBASSADOR DAVID A. GROSS
United States

Thank you Mr. Chairman. Mr. Secretary-General, Excellencies, Distinguished Delegates, Ladies and Gentleman. We have come to Marrakesh as so many have come over the centuries — coming to this fabled city and being awed by its matchless beauty. We now know why Marrakesh is known in legend as the Jewel of the South, or simply the Rose City. For this opportunity, we wish to extend our appreciation to our Moroccan hosts for greeting us with warmth and their legendary hospitality. We would also like to extend our congratulations to you, Mr. Chairman, on your election. We wish you every success in leading us over the next weeks of the Plenipotentiary.

Today, we have come together in Marrakesh to celebrate the convening of the ITU's Plenipotentiary. As with all Plenipotentiaries, we delegates will be expected to meet the challenges of a changing telecommunications environment. We are, at this time, facing unprecedented challenges — but, I should also add, unprecedented opportunities.

We are all aware of the difficulties facing new and traditional suppliers of telecommunications services and equipment. This is a time of intense competition, abundant supply, lower rates, greater consumer choices, and industry restructuring. These are facts that some of you in this room deal with every day. However, I do not choose to dwell on the difficulties of the telecom industry — because we believe that these difficulties are transitory and will be overcome. We are confident that the great promise with which we began this century continues with us.

This promise was affirmed at the recent World Telecommunications Development Conference in Istanbul. In Istanbul, nearly 155 countries came together to address the pressing needs of the telecommunications services in the developing world. At that conference the delegates forged an Action Plan that has, as its core, optimism about the future. The Action Plan states: "Digital opportunities not only serve as an engine of economic growth, they enable social, educational and medical progress."

It is important to note that for every difficulty the telecom sector is facing, we are slowly moving closer towards the goal set nearly 20 years ago by the Maitland Commission — universal access. We read of the 60 million new fixed-line subscribers, 140 million new Internet users and some 200 million new mobile subscribers that were added around the globe this year alone — most in the developing world. Indeed, it has been reported that worldwide telecommunications growth has been exceeding that of the general economy by approximately two and a half times.

We have accomplished a great deal but more needs to be done — a great deal more. But to realize the promise that lies ahead, we must all think about what policies will bring supply and demand into a sustainable balance. This is the basic challenge facing many telecommunications Administrations and regulators today. It is also true that this same challenge of sustainable harmony between supply and demand is facing the ITU at this most important time in its history. In our economies, we seek efficient use of resources, which encourages and supports innovation, while responding to the needs and aspirations of our citizens.

Efficiency, innovation, responsiveness.

The ITU has at various times in its recent history engaged in reform. We come to Marrakesh to again consider and decide upon the reform agenda of the ITU. The ITU must find ways to be more efficient, it must be a catalyst for creativity and innovation, while always being responsive to the needs and aspirations of all of its Members — States and Sector Members alike. What must be done?

My fellow delegates, we should leave this magical city understanding that we have reviewed all ITU institutions and practices to set into motion greater efficient use of resources. We believe that, as with all great institutions, the key to achieving such efficiencies is to ensure that the ITU focus its work primarily upon its core competencies and where it has unique responsibilities.

At the same time we should strive to find innovative ways to promote the extension of benefits of communications technologies to all the world's inhabitants.

Finally, we must endeavor, as an intergovernmental organization, to address the respective needs of Member States and Sector Members.

At this Plenipotentiary the stakes are greater than in recent memory. Forces have been building and have converged here, at this time, to challenge us all to determine the direction the ITU will take for years to come. The ITU is in some of its functions unique among international organizations. We must preserve its uniqueness.

The ITU is an essential part of our collective goal to spread the benefits of a remarkable technology to all the world's inhabitants.

In conclusion, Mr. Chairman, it is appropriate that we hold this Plenipotentiary here in Marrakech, one of the great crossroads of the world. The ITU too is at a crossroads in its long and impressive history. What we do here and now will determine the future course and potential success of this unique institution.

The challenges are great but together we can meet these challenges and turn them into unprecedented opportunities. We are here for no less a task than to ensure the ITU's success long into the future.

Thank you.