GSMA details industry’s impact on UN SDGs

The GSMA has published the first research into the global mobile industry’s contribution towards helping the UN achieve its sustainable development goals (SDGs).

Prepared by Deloitte, the report also details several industry commitments and explores ways the industry can strengthen its impact on the goals.

According to GSMA director general Mats Grannyd, the report will establish a benchmark for the industry’s progress in contributing to the goals and can serve as a blueprint for other industries to follow.

The UN last year established a set of 17 goals for countries to achieve by 2030. These include eliminating poverty and hunger, achieving gender equality, building sustainable cities and communities and transitioning to affordable and clean energy.

The report finds that the mobile industry impacts all 17 goals to varying degrees, with the greatest effects being felt in the goals covering industry, innovation and infrastructure, as well as no poverty, quality education and climate action.

For example, the mobile industry has given more than 400 million people access to financial services through their phones in 90 countries. The industry has committed to developing new mobile money products for unbanked consumers in developing markets.

On gender equality, 18 operators with a combined 90 million customers have so far joined the Connected Women Commitment Initiative, which aims to close the gender gap in the use of mobile internet and mobile money services.

Another UN SDG involves promoting decent work and economic growth. The GSMA noted that the mobile industry added $3.1 trillion in economic value to the global economy last year, representing 4.2% of global GDP, and directly or indirectly supported 32 million jobs.

New industry commitments include elevating the mobile industry’s focus on humanitarian assistance, partnering with the UN Secretary-Gernal’s Special Adviser to create a roadmap for ongoing engagement with the goals and advocating sustainability principles linked to the goals.

“As an industry, we are focused on connecting everyone and everything to a better future,” Grannyd said.

“In February, the mobile industry was the first to unite in supporting the UN Sustainable Development Goals, and this report reiterates our commitment to ensuring that connectivity plays a key role in helping achieve the 17 goals by 2030.”