H.E. Mr Philip L. VERVEER Ambassador, United States Coordinator, International Communications and Information Policy, United States Department of State It is an honor being here in historic and beau-tiful Guadalajara and in Mexico. On behalf of the United States, I bring the greetings and best wishes of President Obama to all of the delegates and oth-ers gathered for this important conference. On behalf of the United States delegation, I con-gratulate the International Telecommunication Union and our Mexican hosts for the very consider-able logistical achievement of bringing the world together for this Plenipotentiary. As we begin our deliberations it is worth reflect-ing that we have much to celebrate and even more to accomplish. We are addressing a sector of un-doubted economic and social vibrancy. It has en-joyed continuous—even outstanding—growth since the last Plenipotentiary even as the broader world economy has suffered. Digital technology, broadband transmission, and cellular architecture have combined to bring revolutionary improve-ments to the majority of the world’s people. But not all. And this important background fact provides this conference with one of its principal priorities. We must find ways to configure ITU ac-tivities and policies in a way that reaches those who haven’t yet received the full benefits of in-formation Mr. Chairman, and communications technology just as we must find ways to enable ICT’s continuing progressiveness. Secretary-General, elected officials of the ITU, Much of the effort here in Guadalajara should be devoted to seeking ways to enhance the ITU’s ex-cellent Excellencies, contributions to efficient and widely de-veloped telecommunications services and infra-structure— distinguished delegates, to improving things that it does best: and colleagues. 30