 Mr. Chairman, Your Excellencies, Partners, and the ITU, good morning. The Commonwealth of the Bahamas is honored to be a part of this year's Plenipotentiary Conference 2018, and delighted to be here in Dubai, quite a phenomenon if I may say so myself. Your hospitality has been first-class, and we are, indeed, appreciative recipients. To date, the Bahamas has made great progress integrating information communication technologies within our systems as an instrument of national development and diversification. The Bahamas's draft National Development Plan, Vision 2040, ignites the resolve with which the government of the Bahamas is working towards developing a smart island state with a view to fostering competitiveness, economic growth, and social inclusion. Indeed, the extraordinary process of creating a smart Bahamas provides the drive-and-needed benchmarks to prepare our communities for the rapid advances in ICT we encounter daily. We recognize that ICT must be adopted to ensure overall improvements in the quality of life for all citizenry towards that goal. Progress has been made with important e-government initiatives, including a national digital identification system, a skills bank online service to assist citizens in finding employment, and a recently signed agreement to establish network infrastructure connecting all public schools. This agreement cements our government's commitment to ensure that all students are equipped with technology in the classroom and the opportunity for worldwide learning. In addition, the Office of the Prime Minister has recently embarked on three major projects utilizing ICT, which are closely monitored by the Prime Minister's delivery unit, known as the PMDU. The PMDU has, at its heart, data, analysis for improved government decision-making and planning, the Intercity Community Development Partnership Initiative, and government digital transformation to strengthen competitiveness. Through the Intercity Community Development Partnership Initiative, we are providing broadband access and strategically placed Wi-Fi hotspots throughout the Intercity community so that citizens can take part in the digital economy and stay connected, and developing apps and websites to provide online presence. Through the Government Digital Transformation Initiative, we will see a reduction in time and cost to citizens for government services, especially in the health and business sectors, and enhance transparency and integrity in government processes. Further, the Government of the Bahamas is actively promoting our second most populated island, Grand Bahama, as a technology hub for the region. We have passed legislation making room for the Commercial Enterprises Act, which encourages ICT and other investments. The Government has also focused on building our ICT educational opportunities by making ICT courses and certificate programs free of charge to citizens with primary focus on our youth. The Bahamas remains committed to the sustainable development goals of the ITU and considers it a privilege to be one of the member states. We are believers of connecting mankind for a better country and a better world. We look forward to your support of our Candidate Chair for Council. Endorsed by CARICOM, we are the smart choice. Thank you and the Bahamas wishes you a very successful conference here in beautiful Dubai.