Welcome address of Secretary General of the International Telecommunication Union Mr. Houlin Zhao to the participants of Bakutel 2018, the 24th Azerbaijan International Telecommunications, Innovations and High Technologies Exhibition and Conference

Excellencies,
Distinguished guests,
Ladies and gentlemen,

It is my pleasure to extend a warm welcome to all of the participants attending Bakutel 2018, the 24^th Azerbaijan International Exhibition and Conference on Information and Communication Technologies in Baku.

Please allow me to thank His Excellency Mr. Ramin Guluzade, Minister of Transport, Communications and High Technologies for this generous invitation.  Due to my engagement with the ASEAN Ministerial meeting committed earlier, I am unable to join you in person this time.  I am very grateful that the host allows me to address you by a video message. 

In January 2018 H.E. President Ilham Aliyev stated in his speech at the World Economic Forum meeting in Davos, that further country development will depend on state support for innovation, technology, good governance, transparency and entrepreneurship. We can see here at BakuTel that these words are becoming reality as the ICT sector is thriving and new companies keep emerging.

I would like to thank the Ministry for its constant commitment to work with the ITU. Azerbaijan supports many global and regional initiatives implemented by the Union, such as the WSIS Forum 2018, exhibits national pavilion at the ITU Telecom World 2018 and makes solid contribution to the decision-making process at the ITU governing meetings. I am pleased to advise you that the ITU Regional Cyber Drill for the CIS region was held in Baku on 3-7 September.

ITU is much encouraged that you are also tackling challenges head-on with important regional initiatives such as the TASIM (the Trans-Asia Information Superhighway) which will provide essential backhaul access.

Bakutel has been and remains the annual forum of choice for industry leaders to come together and brainstorm on the future of ICTs, as well for the private sector to showcase their latest achievements and future plans.

Let me therefore wish all of you and Bakutel 2018 event itself every success.
 
 
 

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