 Welcome to the celebrations for ITU's 150th anniversary. It is indeed a privilege that you are commemorating this historical event with us. In May 2015, we celebrate the founding of the International Telecommunications Union exactly 150 years ago. On 17 May 1865, 20 nations gathered in Paris to sign the International Telegraph Convention an intergovernmental treaty which established the basic principles for international telegraphy. This comprehensive multilateral agreement defined standardized communications between nations and is now celebrated annually as World Telecommunications and Information Society. For 150 years, ITU has reaffirmed its global reputation as one of the most resilient and relevant organizations in the international family and in particular in the United Nations family over the last seven years. We have continued to develop and grow with the evolving information and communication technology sector from telegraphy to the modern world of satellites, mobile phones and the Internet and continue to do so as we move rapidly towards the era of the Internet of Things and big data. To commemorate this historic anniversary, ITU is hosting a special event on 17 May this year at ITU headquarters in Geneva. We will celebrate the past, present and future of the Union with video presentations and speeches. We will also present certificates to the laureates of the ITU 150 Awards which recognize eminent individuals from government, the ICT industry, academia and civil society who have demonstrated an extraordinary contribution to improving the lives of the world's citizens through ICTs. Throughout 2015, we are hosting a series of events according to monthly themes from January to December focusing on ICT as drivers of innovation and enablers of development. In addition, I would like to highlight a number of ITU regular events which will be taking place including WISIS Forum in May, GSR in June, ITU Telecom in October, Radio Assembly in October and ITU World Radio Communication Conference in November and finally WISIS in December. An important new focus on small and medium-sized enterprises. We also see ITU work on new ways to help its member states develop these important engines of ICT innovation and development at the national level. For 150 years, ITU has laid ICT innovation. With the support of you, our members, we look forward to innovating together for 150 years more Thank you very much.