H.E. Mr Francis I. ITIMAI Secretary (Minister), FSM Department of Transportation, Communication and Infrastructure Mr Chair My Government has given high priority to the devel-opment and implementation of an affordable and reli-able national ICT and the necessary infrastructure. It is in the pursuit of this priority or objective that we come to the Plenipotentiary Conference, having participated in numerous other ITU-related meetings, regional and sub-regional conferences dealing with various themes or dimensions of telecommunication. We also come to Guadalajara to give testimony to the intention of my Government to continue to be a re-sponsible member of the ITU. Just as important, we would like to reaffirm our confi-dence that ITU will continue to make a difference. After Mr Chairman all, ITU is all that we have, it is the best there is -- second to none. To be sure, we all want to see an effective Union, a Union that focuses increasingly on issues that are rel-evant Excellencies ITU Secretary-General to the needs of its member states, including the priorities of the Small Island Developing States (SIDS). Distinguish Delegates In previous Plenipotentiary conferences, convinced that the SIDS have unique challenges that require spe-cial Ladies and Gentlemen The Government of the Federated States of Micronesia is most pleased to participate in this timely and very important Conference. I would there-fore handling, Micronesia did not hesitate joining other parties in raising its voice and calling attention to the unique needs of the SIDS. While appreciating the rec-ognition so far given to such unique needs, it is to be further insisted that, if ITU shall prevail in carrying out its mission, the approach to addressing the needs of the SIDS must be on a sustainable, long-term basis, just as it must be relevant, concrete, and flexible. seize this opportunity to express our sincere ap-preciation to the ITU for all its hard work in planning and convening this gathering. I would also like to join previous speakers in thanking the Government of Mexico for hosting the Conference and for the warm hospitality it has extended to us. We further express our thanks for the fine facilities and the logistic support for our meeting. Mr Chair As earlier noted, the Federated States of Micronesia is a Small Island Developing States whose small popu-lation is scattered on many islands spread over a large 112