FEATURE : MOBILE TECHNOLOGY increase of 470 million since 2017 to 1.4 billion people in 2022 .
• The mobile industry achieved its highest level of improvement in SDG 4 : Quality Education with 2.3 billion people ( 42 % of mobile subscribers ) using mobile to access educational information for themselves or their children , an increase of 1.6 billion individuals since 2015 .
• 6 billion people ( 49 % of mobile subscribers ) used mobile financial services in 2022 , an increase of 1.6 billion since 2015 . The use of mobile banking and payments help individuals to better manage their finances and create employment opportunities , contributing to SDG 1 : No Poverty and SDG 8 : Decent Work and Economic Growth .
Realising the untapped potential of mobile
While the industry has tracked promising performance against each goal since 2015 , the global cost-ofliving crisis , conflicts , COVID-19 pandemic and rise in climate-related emergencies have impeded the efforts of every sector to achieve the 2030 Agenda . As a result , the report warns that the industry will only reach 76 % of its full potential impact on the 17 SDGs by 2030 , based on its current trajectory .
Looking ahead to 2030 , mobile operators must collaborate with governments , regulators and the international community to increase the pace and scale of the sector ’ s contribution and release its untapped potential .
Actions that will contribute to increase the industry ’ s SDG impact include : reforming policy to support sustainable levels of investment in mobile broadband infrastructure ; leveraging the role of the international community , UN agencies and multilateral development banks to prioritise investment in digital development ; driving use of mobile solutions by all segments of the population and enterprises ; and consistently tapping in to mobile-enabled innovation to address societal challenges .
José María Álvarez-Pallete López , CEO of Telefónica and Chairman of the GSMA , said : “ Mobile technology has become the primary means of Internet access for billions of people , especially in LMICs , enabling access to critical information , services , education , healthcare and income-generating opportunities . However , despite these achievements , more must be done to enhance mobile ’ s contribution to the SDGs . The mobile industry must collaborate closely with stakeholders , including public administrations , other industries , civil society and the international community , to scale up mobile ’ s impact .”
THE FINDINGS OF THIS
YEAR ’ S SDG IMPACT REPORT SHOW THAT A FUNDAMENTAL SHIFT IN
COMMITMENT , SOLIDARITY , FINANCING AND ACTION
WILL BE NEEDED TO ACHIEVE THE 2030 AGENDA .
Mats Granryd , Director General of the GSMA , said : “ The mobile industry plays a significant role in advancing the UN SDGs , providing billions of people with access to the Internet and a multitude of lifeenhancing services across education , healthcare , finance and more – however , the findings of this year ’ s SDG impact report show that a fundamental shift in commitment , solidarity , financing and action will be needed to achieve the 2030 Agenda . As countries with higher levels of mobile connectivity typically achieve greater SDG impact , the industry , along with its partners , must collaborate to facilitate sustainable and inclusive Digital Transformation to put the world on a better path .”
The findings of the GSMA ’ s SDG impact report were published during a reception with the Broadband Commission , the ITU and the UNDP , and have been issued alongside a separate report from the ITU focused on the digital sector ’ s SDG impact . p
www . intelligentcio . com INTELLIGENTCIO EUROPE 57