After Hong Kong, China, the next ITU TELECOM WORLD will be held in Geneva in 2009 under the leadership of ITU's new Secretary-General Hamadoun TourŽ.
In his first speech since being elected as Secretary General in November this year, Secretary General TourŽ said he will give his full commitment to ensure the success of TELECOM WORLD 2009.
Secretary General TourŽ lauded Hong Kong's successful handling of this year's TELECOM WORLD event, which achieved a record number of participants and exhibitors.
Marion Lai, acting permanent secretary of Hong Kong's Commerce, Industry and Technology Bureau, said Hong Kong benefited tremendously from hosting the event. 'ITU TELECOM WORLD 2006 provided a useful platform for the over 230 Chinese companies to participate in enlightening discussions and meet and learn from their counterparts around the world,' he said.
ITU said the decision to host the next world event in Europe was taken for a number of reasons, including a desire by the ICT industry to see the event move to another key ICT region after Asia.
With its central European location, Geneva provides another ideal venue for the next telecom event, being accessible to major European ICT markets and equidistant from the markets of Asia and the Americas.
ITU TELECOM WORLD 2009 will be held at the Palexpo in Geneva, where ITU TELECOM WORLD 2003 was held.