Mr Naguib Ullah MALIK Federal Secretary, Ministry of Information Technology On behalf of Government and people of Pakistan, I take this opportunity to express our sincere gratitude to ITU and the world community for extending immediate assistance for flood relief operations in Pakistan dur-ing the recent floods in the country. ITU has not only mobilized communication equipment for relief opera-tions, but also immediately launched a special fund for the rehabilitation of telecommunication and ICT infra-structure in the flood affected areas. It is heartening to report that telecom infrastructure and services got restored when 1/5th of the country was under water. Mr. President, The ITU, since its inception, has played a pivotal role in promoting dialogue and developing consensus on crit-ical Mr. President Excellencies Secretary General of ITU and other elected officials of ITU Distinguished Plenipotentiaries Ladies and Gentlemen In the first place, I will take this opportunity to congra-tulate issues concerning the development of the global telecommunication sector. As we complete the first decade of the millennium, the convergence of technol-ogies, has already brought about radical changes not only to the structure and nature of the telecommuni-cations sector itself, but also the economic and social well-being of the people, the world over. The process of globalization, which was initiated at the end of the last century seems to be entering into an interesting phase. The dream of world as a global village, intercon-nected the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and existing as one organic whole, is about to for successfully convening of the 2010 Plenipotentiary Conference here in Guadalajara. Let me also express my sincere appreciations to the Government of Mexico and people of Guadaljara for the excellent arrangements made for hosting this event and for their warm hospita-lity be realised. After the Industial Revolution, it seems ICT and Telecom Revolution is bound to benefit the world, manifold. Investments in this sector would cause ‘mul-tiplier effect’ in the social as well as economic realms of the international communities. At this juncture, the questions which need answers are – whether or not we are ready to meet the new challanges? Do we have enough or requisite capacity to address all the issues which future times would bring to the fore? Have we covered the technological lags and gaps existing be-tween extendeded to the participants. Mr. President, I also take this opportunity to congratulate you for your elec-tion as president of this conference and congratulate Dr. Hamadoun Toure, Mr. Houlin Zhao, Mr. Malcolm Johnson and Mossieur Francois Rancy for the re-election/elec-tion to the seats of Secretary General, Deputy Secretary various countries and regions? I’m afraid not! In General, Director TSB and Director BR, respectively. 206