 and also also member countries. Distinguished ambassadors and heirs of delegations, dear delegates and participants, invited guests and members of the media, good morning to all of you. It's my pleasure to deliver the open speech of this third extraordinary conference. The first extraordinary conference was held in Bern in Switzerland in 1900, and after more than 100 years, the second one was held only last year in Venezuela. Now, one short year later, we are holding our third extraordinary conference. This congress, held in short succession, affirms the role and relevance of this organization and reflect the pace of business today. Business and no longer wait. The model of holding quite renewable congress is for all decision making has not always shown itself to be in support to get the demands of the 10th first center. Recent times have highlighted the union's need to move quickly, solve the many challenges of the union, and to grasp its numerous opportunities. Ladies and gentlemen, I think I can say without risk of embarrassment that this is one of the most important meetings in the Universal Postal Union's 145 years history. We have come together here in Geneva to decide on one person, and one question more, the issue of immigration rates for the EU. Before going further, let me say that over the years, since the production of the immigration system at our World Postal Congress in Tokyo in 1969, we have recognized the system is not fit for battles, but could not be fixed overnight. Over the long years, other countries have striven at successful processes to refine and improve the rates for the prevailing business trends and models. In Istanbul in 2016, I have thought the consensus has been found, as well as an acceptable, time-lapse timetable for introducing fair rates. It is therefore regrettable that the new rates will not come soon enough to prevent the necessity of holding this extraordinary Congress. As you have that, I have deep respect for the Syrian and the sovereign right of the member countries to express their views and reach sensible solutions, no matter how difficult the terrain of uncomfortable necessities. The U.P.U.'s purpose has always been to create a forum, invite member countries, and encourage the necessary discussions to transform and empower our industry. I also feel, however, a fond sense of duty as a director general of the U.P.U. to speak out on behalf of the integrity of the international postal network. The U.P.U. is powered by the U.P.U. to service organization. The duty to ensure that everyone on this planet has access to international mail. Allow me to quote from the scope and objectives of the constitutions of the U.P.U. that came to force in 1875. When it first came to force, I quote, the countries adopting this constitution shall comprise, under the title of the U.P.U., a single post of territory for the simple exchange of letter post-mortem. Freedom of transit shall be guaranteed throughout the entire territory of the union. End of quote. And again, I quote, the aim of the union shall be to secure the organization and improvement of the postal services and to promote in this sphere the development of international collaboration. End of quote. This position is true. Today, as close in 1875, and for the 100 for five years, the U.P.U. has done foreign phrases, single post of territory, freedom of transit, guarantee throughout the entire territory or the development of international collaboration. I choose this one to remind us of the very reason for our existence as a union. Our meeting today is about the postal regression rates, but it's also about all of us choosing the right path for our union. The right path to protecting the integrity of the universal service application. The right path for all member countries and their sustained postal development. And the right path to prosperity for this industry. I believe we are at a crossroad where a choice is made and valid way and set the course for the rest of this century. As with all such paths, once decided, the union may never be able to address these steps. The first step on this path will inevitably lead to the next and the next until the road taken becomes the only road. I say to you that the initial step by U.P.U. must be the correct ones to ensure we stand together to bring the necessary challenges to this industry. Changes that elaborate the past but deliver a better future for all of us. Our operational mission is to uphold one world, one postal network. There is a determinant the universal postal union has been described as many things, a forum, a platform, a network and a community. But I want to add one more word to this test and outlaw with a concrete vision for this industry's success. For much of the 145 years the universal postal union has been a shared leader for the transformation and renewal throughout the industry. A voice of digitalization, e-commerce and financial services. And as we move forward with the future, I wish to inform you that we have formulated a roadmap that will keep this union in tune with the industry and general business tracks. Thanks to your contribution, we have developed U.P.U.'s postal vision 2030 that encapsulates the future of the union and the business of the industry. In this regard, we have identified four key areas that need to be addressed for the future development of the postal. The goal of the postal memory to encourage governments to increase funding in the postal development for their respective countries. Number two, throughout the integration, the new regulators are harmonizing their tools to enable the uptake of new services and the new platforms. Three, to add postal operators, address their performance and ensure that they compete heavily in the increasingly open market. And finally, but very important, is to seek integration of all players in the international postal sector. The vision has been tested, brought tested, and will hopefully form the Abidjan 2020 strategy and going on to catalyze this industry. But for real success, we must cooperate and we must coordinate and we must unite. Ladies and gentlemen, reaching consensus takes a genuine courage. Why? Because each of us must move away from our zone of comfort, and each of us must perhaps give up just a little of what we want. In the coming days, as you debate and discuss the subject of remuneration rates, I call all of you in the name of this historical union to find the courage to choose the right path, not just for yourselves, but for the entire industry. I thank you very much for your attention.