 To start this afternoon's remarks, Mr. Chairman, Mr. Secretary-General, Ministers, Excellencies, Friends and Colleagues, on behalf of the Canadian delegation, I offer our sincere congratulations to our UAE hosts and to the staff of the ITU for organizing this very important conference, and to you, Mr. Chairman, on your election as Chair. The task we are waiting for at the next conference is very important. Canada recognizes the importance of well-oriented sector development and telecommunications activities. It understands that telecommunications and information technology are essential for economic and social development. It is not exaggerated to say that tech and telecommunications have fascinated Canada that we know of today, and it has fascinated the world of tomorrow. Canada has drawn on that understanding and its own experience to guide its ICT and telecommunications-related development priorities. Canada fully appreciates our tools for growth and development success. Our government works cooperatively with many stakeholders to help generate that success, including the ITU. To illustrate Canada's firm belief in the need for a multifaceted, sustainable development framework is a recent commitment of over $1 billion for women's and children's health in the developing world in relation to the UN Accountability Commission on this critically important subject co-chaired by our Prime Minister Stephen Harper, along with Dr. Margaret Chan, Director-General of the World Health Organization, and co-vice-chaired by Dr. Toure. As an important part of this development framework, Canada supports the agenda of this conference in addressing a number of fundamentally important matters, some of which are included in the following. Increasing access to broadband infrastructure, improving emergency communication services, encouraging ICT investment in innovation, strengthening financing opportunities and partnerships, addressing the special requirements of persons with disabilities, assuring that technological developments afford due regard for gender equity and the needs of young persons. Le plan d'action de UETD devrait adopter un métro de gestion access sur les résultats. Cette approach permettra d'optimiser la mise en oeuvre des objectifs pré-definés. Elle contribuera également à optimiser la gestion des ressources. Montseau, by taking a focused results-based approach to defining the ITUD action plan, member states will ensure that the ITU is positioned to generate the best possible impacts. That approach will be one which enables cooperation by drawing on the strengths of all partners. It will be one that builds on the success to date while investing for even greater results in the years ahead. Thank you. Merci. Thank you.