Thursday, 7 October Republic of Bangladesh Bangladesh appreciates ITU’s work on capacity building of LDCs as part of its Development Sector objectives. In this context, we would like to reiterate the need for ITU’s engagement in the preparatory process of the UN LDC Conference due to be held in Istanbul in 2011. We also attach great importance to ITU’s work on climate change issues. ICT can be an important tool for implementing the national adaptation and mitigation strategies, espe-cially a globally competitive economy based on a knowledge-based society. We are currently engaged in creating the right environment to empower our citizens through universal access to ICT. The ITU Secretary General had witnessed the commitment of our Government and the changes taking place during his visit to Bangladesh in March this year. In the last one decade, the telecommunication and ICT sectors in Bangladesh have witnessed major growth and expansion. The Government and the private sector have worked together to turn Bangladesh into one of the fast-est in highly vulnerable countries. Mr. Chairman, We would like to see ITU as a partner in our efforts to build a Digital Bangladesh. Our achievements in using ICT for our national development efforts can be a good measure of progress of our collective work in the Union. The challenges we shall face can help define the future agenda of ITU’s work that can be relevant for other com-parable growing telecom markets in the region. With 99% network coverage and 40% tele-density, we are ready to take off for the next stage of growth. We have laid more than 15,000 km of fiber optic lines across the country to set up the backbone for connectivity. Wi-Max facilities are being rolled out throughout the country; 3-G serv-ices settings. The recognition given to Bangladesh and the appreciation received by our Hon’ble Prime Minister by the global leadership during the recent MDG Review Conference bear testimony to our commitment and capacity to deliver as a responsible member of the international community. are expected to be introduced shortly. We have plans to launch our own communication satellite and have started necessary groundwork in this regard. Our current cooperation with ITU includes the work on developing an emergency communication plan. We hope to benefit from the various Partnership Initiatives of the Union. As you are all aware, Bangladesh has floated its candi-dature for the first time to become a member of the ITU With a view to increasing access to IT-based services in our rural areas, we are focusing on two key areas of inter-vention. Council. We count on your valuable support for our elec-tion. We hope that you will give us a chance to match Firstly, we are establishing shared access points our commitments to the Union with our contributions to its work. We wish to bring to the Council the voice of an LDC aspiring to transform its economy by maximiz-ing up to the lowest unit of our local government system. We have already started converting more than ten thou-sand rural post offices across the country into public ac-cess points with various service options including mobile the benefits of ICT. money transfer facilities. Secondly, we are in the process of developing tele-medicine facilities in our communi-ty- based health care system through a strong referral network. We remain ready to learn from best practices around the world, especially through South-South coop-eration. I thank you all. We would like to promote the use of ICT to en-hance accountability of our overall democratic system. 181