Buenas noches, bona nit, good evening.
It is once again my great pleasure to officially extend my ─and our─ warmest welcome to those of you who visit us here in Spain, and have travelled from all around the world to take part in the Mobile World Congress, which now for 11yrs has had Barcelona as its host city, here in Catalonia.
This event is truly a global one, not only because so many come and participate with us from all over the world, and indeed some are often known the world over, but also —and above all— due to the sheer impact this sector has in so many socioeconomic and cultural aspects of human life in most corners of our planet, one that is constantly and rapidly advancing with new technological and industrial breakthroughs surprising us practically every day.
The slogan for the 2016 edition could not be clearer: “Mobile Is Everything”. So, once more, I would like to thank the GSMA for trusting us to be your hosts, and for your firm commitment to this city.
Sean así pues muy bienvenidos a una cita que busca, sin duda, aunar esfuerzos e inteligencias para ─en definitiva─ promover la prosperidad de todos; para impulsar un sector que es fundamental para mejorar la calidad de vida de los ciudadanos en todos nuestros países; un sector que es ya un catalizador o potenciador de casi todos los demás sectores y, por tanto, determinante para el progreso general de nuestro mundo.
En este sentido, quiero transmitirles que España es un país que apuesta fuertemente por las nuevas tecnologías como mecanismo para mejorar su competitividad; un país abierto a la inversión y al pleno desarrollo de la sociedad de la información. En España contamos con grandes empresas, altamente internacionalizadas y líderes en sus respectivos mercados, que son verdaderos ejemplos de innovación y eficiencia.
Y también disponemos de un gran número de empresas más pequeñas pero muy especializadas. Empresas pioneras en sus ámbitos de actuación y con un gran potencial de desarrollo a las que les invito a conocer durante estos días.
La celebració d’aquest congrés a aquesta ciutat, així com la consideració de Barcelona com a Capital Mundial del Mòbil, és fruit, des de fa anys, de la suma d’esforços i de voluntats entre les Administracions i les entitats implicades ─l’Ajuntament de Barcelona, la Generalitat de Catalunya i el Ministeri d’Indústria, Energia i Turisme, així com la Fira─ i de la seva excel·lent col·laboració amb la GSMA.
Aquest és el camí per garantir la prosperitat de tots: treballar junts tenint sempre com a fita el bé comú. El Congrés Mundial del Mòbil i la capitalitat de Barcelona, aquí i ara, són bona prova d’això últim. Són un exemple de com el compromís entre les diferents Administracions impulsa el progrés col·lectiu i, per les grans coses, atén millor l’interès general de tots els ciutadans.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Now that we are well into the second decade of the 21st century, we find ourselves at a true turning point as a result of the technological revolution that is affecting us heavily in close-to every facet of our existence. It is no longer possible to tackle the multitude and diverse challenges that arise in our time, nor to carry out the majority of our professional and economic activities —even many of the simplest actions of our everyday routines— without taking into account the decisive relevance of this ongoing revolution. Every issue or topic ─or innovation─ you will address during this Mobile World Congress serves as confirmation, and proof, of this fact.
"...La celebració d’aquest congrés a aquesta ciutat, així com la consideració de Barcelona com a Capital Mundial del Mòbil, és fruit, des de fa anys, de la suma d’esforços i de voluntats entre les Administracions i les entitats implicades –l’Ajuntament de Barcelona, la Generalitat de Catalunya i el Ministeri d’Indústria, Energia i Turisme, així com la Fira- i de la seva excel·lent col·laboració amb la GSMA. Aquest és el camí per garantir la prosperitat de tots: treballar junts tenint sempre com a fita el bé comú. El Congrés Mundial del Mòbil i la capitalitat de Barcelona, aquí i ara, són bona prova d’això últim. Són un exemple de com el compromís entre les diferents Administracions impulsa el progrés col·lectiu i atén l’interès general de tots els ciutadans..."
But like every advance, like every big step on the road to progress, the digital revolution offers great opportunities to reach higher levels of prosperity, to reduce inequality; but it also exposes us to the unknown —which we must learn how to face, and how to adapt to its consequences. I truly believe that, in historical terms, what we are seeing today is only the start of a great drive towards the future, and therefore we must be able to quickly identify the difficult challenges that all this will surely bring attached —many of which we are, in fact, already dealing with today, even as we speak.
In this regard, I am sure we all agree that in order to successfully face these challenges, we must work together: sharing and multiplying the know-how, resources and synergies necessary to reach our desired goals, bringing down barriers… (Just think about “roaming” in Europe, for example…).
The digital revolution demands from us to keep open minds, to enhance our creativity, to maintain a constructive attitude and an innovative spirit. In our time, in our era of globalization, true and sustained economic and social progress, in a proper competitive environment, will only really happen if we combine it with a firm commitment to rules, a joint effort, and a tight form of collaboration among all those at stake. To act otherwise would be a very risky step backward. Because social, economic, cultural and technological transformation can only be a success if we all walk together along the same path of unity, cooperation and solidarity.
Moreover, I believe that development driven by new technologies must be inclusive, it must help prevent people from sliding away from opportunities or stumbling over old ─or new─ barriers. Today, however, there are still groups of people who are unable to fully benefit from these new technologies. Whether due to lack of connectivity or to digital illiteracy, many people are still being held back from joining the digital world. Only by integrating them will we be able to achieve sustainable digital development, to the benefit of everyone.
Therefore, new technologies should be an instrument enabling us to really improve the lives of all our citizens, making our society more prosperous, and also more just, inclusive and respectful. For this reason, I am asking all the stakeholders involved to make all the possible effort in this direction.
Finally, I would like focus briefly on the central role that our youth ought to play in all of this we are dealing with. Young people represent our greatest asset; they are society’s main source of innovation. They are seeking —and rightfully so— to participate at the core, not as bystanders, in the development of our societies, which ─of course─ are also theirs. Moreover, they are highly qualified and trained to take on that role, by contributing with new viewpoints and approaches to problems. This is because IT technology is really nothing new to them, it comes natural as they are exposed to it practically since birth; hence, the expression “digital natives”.
We must pave the way for young people to soon become integrated into companies and institutions, because their energy and entrepreneurial drive, their transformative potential, is vital for the future —for everyone’s future.
Ladies and Gentleman,
I won’t take up more of your time on an evening like this, which is only the prelude to busy days ahead at the Mobile World Congress. A Congress that will give us a glimpse of the future —of the best that the future has to offer.
To conclude, let me just say that although some of you have been in Barcelona before, others are visiting for the first time. Regardless, I am sure that you will all take home unforgettable memories of this wonderful city so enterprising and with its permanent drive for innovation.
So I would like to encourage you to make the most of these forthcoming days among us. Your presence and participation is already a great contribution to the success of this new edition of the Barcelona MWC.
Thank you very much, and enjoy the evening.
moltes gràcies,
muchas gracias.