Today, 18 April 2023, for the World Amateur Radio Day (WARD) a QO-100 ground station was inaugurated at the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) offices in radio amateur station 4U1ITU by the Secretary General of the ITU in Geneva Ms Doreen Bogdan-Martin (KD2JTX). She delivered a message to celebrate WARD through QO-100, see below. Three countries/stations were selected to reply/comment on her message namely A65TE, Hanni (vice President of RAL) in Dubai, A71A Ahmed Vice President of QARS in Qatar, to note that A71A is also a control station of QO-100, as is Jean Marc 3B8DU in his capacity as President of MARS. In his reply to the ITU SG on QO-100 he expressed that it was a great honour for MARS and personally for the MARS President to contact the ITU SG directly via QO-100 thus putting MARS and Mauritius on the forefront of the WARD celebration at the highest level (ITU).
Note that amateur radio is the only hobby recognized by the United Nations, through ITU and that the International Amateur Radio Union (IARU) is a fully fledged member of the ITU (having a seat at this instance).
A journalist was at Jean Marc’s station today and the event will be in the local media soon (newspapers and Web media). A recording of the Geneva event from Twitter shown below.
Message from the ITU SG Ms Doreen Bogdan-Martin (KD2JTX) over QO-100 satellite:
Hello out there… this is 4U1ITU calling…
Operated by KD2JTX… also known as Doreen Bogdan-Martin…
I’m delighted to make the first QSO on QO-100 from ITU’s own radio station…
For the first time as Secretary-General. And what better moment than World Amateur Radio Day… To celebrate you… our global community of radio amateurs.
Today, we honour all the many achievements of your service…
From bringing more young people on board with this fascinating hobby…
To responding to all kinds of emergency situations… helping to keep people safe.
Human security for all is this year’s theme…
Because everyone has a right to feeling safe and secure…
In the physical world…On the airwaves…And online.
ITU is committed to bring safe, meaningful and affordable connectivity to everyone…
And help shift the world towards sustainable digital transformation.
Thank you for your continued support of our mission and vision…
Over and out!