UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon Addressed Heads of State at Intelsat-sponsored Geneva Event

Mr. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon of the United Nations (UN) addressed Heads of State at a special dinner held on Sunday, 4 October 2009, at the Grand Theatre Geneva. In his remarks, Secretary General Ban Ki-moon recognized the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) and Intelsat in their commitment to developing information and communication technologies (ICT). Mr. Secretary General Ki-moon indicated telecommunications has a major role in addressing worldwide issues - from global warming and cyber security to regional conflicts. Intelsat Chairman, Mr. Raymond Svider, in his remarks to the audience, recognized the ITU’s commitment to “Connecting the World” and Intelsat’s 45-year legacy of advancing communications throughout the world.

Dr. Hamadoun Touré, ITU Secretary General, thanked Intelsat for its continued commitment and support of the ITU’s mission to overcome the digital divide. The dinner, sponsored by Intelsat, was attended by Intelsat Chairman, Secretary General United Nations, Secretary General ITU, President of Rwanda, Vice President and First Lady of Lesotho, Vice President, Sierra Leone, Ambassador and Permanent Representative, Switzerland, Ministers from Swaziland, Uganda, and Mali, Heads of UN Agencies, ITU elected officials, ambassadors and enterprise chief executive officers.

(Photo courtesy of ITU: Intelsat Chairman Raymond Svider)

~ Vevette Husbands, Program Manager, Trade Shows & Events