By Emmanuel Oluebube, Correspondent UK

The GSMA and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)  have announced a new partnership that will leverage MWC21 and its start-up event 4YFN to accelerate the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). MWC21 will take place in Barcelona from June 28 –July 01.

As an Impact Partner at MWC21, the UNDP will support the event’s focus on sustainable development, hosting sessions and developing digital content that showcases social impact examples. The content will feature in the Future Society section of the MWC21 website. It will highlight how mobile services, such as COVID-19 track and trace and digital health facilities, are developing in terms of use for the good of everyone worldwide.

The UNDP will also be an Impact Ecosystem Partner for 4YFN, the most influential event in the world for start-ups, investors, corporations, and institutions to connect and launch new business ventures.  At

4YFN, UNDP will launch ‘The Women Innovation Programme’.  This new mentorship programme is designed to benefit 20 female-led start-ups focused on social impact based in the Arab States. The selected start-ups must provide digital-based solutions to eradicate poverty, reduce inequalities and exclusion, and encourage sustainable progress.  The start-ups will be paired with international experts who will offer technical advice on business strategy, marketing & communication, fundraising, management, and pitching.

The GSMA and UNDP will also host a LinkedIn Live event focused on ‘Internet and Connectivity as a Human Right’.  This session will be taking place the week of April 19 and will be led by senior representatives from both organisations. 

“Driven by our Digital Strategy, UNDP supports countries to use emerging information and communications technologies to accelerate progress on the Sustainable Development Goals,” said UNDP Administrator, Achim Steiner. “We are seeing increased use of mobile technologies across sectors, for example driving economic growth through mobile money and electronic payment systems and improving health outcomes through increased access to healthcare services.  We are excited to become an Impact Partner with the GSMA to highlight the transformative power of mobile technologies for sustainable development.”

“The GSMA’s annual SDG Report demonstrates the vast contribution of mobile technology towards all 17 of the SDGs,” said GSMA Director-General Mats Granryd. “We’re grateful for all the ways that the UNDP has partnered with the GSMA and the mobile industry. Welcoming them to MWC21 as an Impact Partner is an exciting next step, and the results will have real and tangible influence.”

MWC21 will be a hybrid event for the first time.  The in-person and virtual options are available so that all MWC Barcelona friends can attend and participate in a way that works for them.