In a video, International Telecommunication Union (ITU) Secretary General Hamadoun Touré, HB9EHT, extended his wishes for “every success” to International Amateur Radio Union (IARU) Region 1 delegates during their Regional Conference September 21-26 in Albena, Bulgaria. In the nearly 4-minute greeting, Touré said he appreciated the work of the IARU and for its support of ITU Headquarters station 4U1ITU.

“I can assure you that IARU is a valuable member of the ITU family, and this relationship will be nurtured in the years to come,” said Touré, who called Amateur Radio is “a very important public service.”

Touré said that the ITU was donating an Icom IC-765 transceiver to IARU Region 1. “I am sure this transceiver will find a good use in the IARU Region 1 member societies,” he said.

Amateur Radio, Touré continued, is “a means of technical self-training for young people” as well as a national resource, “particularly in developing countries, and even provides support and relief in the event of national disasters.”

Next year, the ITU will celebrate its 150th anniversary, and Touré said that the ITU club station will identify as 4U0ITU to mark the occasion and that he anticipates special activities. He invited the Region 1 delegates to join the World Radio Day celebration next February 13. That date marks the date of the first broadcast by UN Radio in 1948.

“I assure you that my Amateur Radio hobby is very dear to me,” concluded Touré, a native of Mali who assumed the Secretary General’s post in 2007. “I look forward to meeting with you, personally or on the Amateur Radio bands. I wish you every success in your hobby and activity. Thank you for your support to ITU. 73.”