ITU Inauguration Ceremony 15 January 2015

The presentation of the New ITU’s Management Team took place today by the Union’s new Secretary General Mr. Houlin Zhao. As 2015 coincides with the Union’s 150th Anniversary,

Greece would like to extend its sincere congratulations on the election of the Secretary General Mr. Houlin Zhao and the new team and at the same time commend ITU’s crucial role in the international environment as follows:

ELECTION OF THE NEW ITU OFFICIALS
ITU Building Thursday 15 January 2015
Inauguration ceremony 10.30 p.m.
Secretary-General, Mr. Houlin Zhao

Distinguished members of the new ITU Team
Distinguished delegates,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

It's an honour for me to be here today, as we herald a new period  in this important Organization that traces it foundation long before even the establishment of the United Nations family.
Your Excellency,
At the outset, I would like to extend the most sincere congratulations on behalf of my government on your election. 
At the same time, I would like to underline the excellent relations that exist between ITU and my country, a founding member of the Organization. Your official visit last December, right after your election and the official contacts you had with the current Prime Minister and with high ranking officials come as a proof of it. 
As the world is heading towards widespread and all encompassing  digitalization, ITU  stands at a crossroad.  In the not so distant future, most of human activities will be undertaken through digital channels. Digital world will not only affect commerce but it will impact decisively everyday life in every aspect.
Therefore the challenges and opportunities that lay ahead are huge. 
In our quest to assure a better and fairer world for every human being on the planet, we should, at the same time, pay particular attention and care to avoid unforeseen dangers.
Your Excellency,
The protection of critical energy infrastructure – such as the production and distribution of electricity, gas or oil – is vital for the socioeconomic prosperity of any country.
Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) support most of the human activities: beginning from the food distribution chains up to supply chains in general.
Cyber-crime is taking advantage of the weaknesses of the networks and infrastructures.
Cyberattacks are widespread and take endemic proportions.
We cannot close our eyes to what is happening next door.
Governments are attacked, corporations are attacked, individuals are attacked, children are attacked.
In a world where fundamental rights are being violated every day, we perceive this Organization’s global role as to ensure through its technical nature and its expertise a fair and equitable digital environment. This environment is vital in order to balance the growing demand for surveillance with the protection of human rights on the one hand, and the growing needs of the globalized economy with intellectual property rights on the other.
We are more than confident that with your stewardship and with the support of your excellent team you will be able to manage this Organization in the most efficient and productive fashion.
Looking forward to the closer cooperation between ITU and my country, once again a member in the new Executive Council, we wish you and your team every success in your endeavors.
Thank you your Excellency.