{"id":18423,"date":"2021-09-21T09:10:00","date_gmt":"2021-09-21T08:10:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.gsma.com\/newsroom\/?p=18423"},"modified":"2021-09-21T09:18:42","modified_gmt":"2021-09-21T08:18:42","slug":"mobile-sector-critical-for-sustainable-development-goals","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.gsma.com\/newsroom\/press-release\/mobile-sector-critical-for-sustainable-development-goals\/","title":{"rendered":"Mobile Sector Critical for Sustainable Development Goals"},"content":{"rendered":"

Sixth Annual SDG Impact Report from GSMA Shows Mobile Sector Increased its SDG Contribution, Despite the Pandemic<\/em><\/p>\n

21 September 2021, London<\/strong>: The sixth annual SDG impact report from the GSMA shows the mobile industry increased its contribution to all 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)<\/a> in 2020. Despite the significant challenges posed by the global pandemic, the sector is halfway to maximising its potential impact on the SDGs. However, progress cannot be taken for granted, as there are less than 10 years to achieve the 2030 SDG targets.<\/p>\n

Click here<\/a> to download: 2021 Mobile Industry Impact Report: Sustainable Development Goals.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cAs heads of state gather for the UN General Assembly, we call on world leaders, and the public and private sectors, to work together to accelerate progress towards achieving the SDGs. The pandemic has exacerbated inequalities in many ways, so keeping the commitment to the SDGs has never been more important for governments and industries. Yet, we know that it will not be possible to attain the 2030 Agenda without mobile connectivity. It is our responsibility to collaborate in new ways that will maximise the industry\u2019s potential,\u201d said GSMA\u2019s Director General, Mats Granryd.<\/p>\n

The mobile industry\u2019s SDG contributions <\/em><\/p>\n

Despite rising mobile data traffic, mobile networks delivered a 33% improvement in download speeds in 2020 due to increasing 4G adoption and 5G take-up. These improvements enhance the mobile industry\u2019s SDG impact, as it enables mobile to be at the heart of a broad range of services designed to address society\u2019s global challenges.<\/p>\n

2.3 billion people (45% of mobile subscribers) used their phones to purchase goods and services, representing an increase of 300 million since 2019. During the pandemic, more people used mobile to purchase food and other essential products and services as they became less comfortable handling cash. This activity supports the mobile industry\u2019s contribution to SDG3: Good Health; SDG4: Quality Education; SDG8: Decent Work and Economic Growth.<\/p>\n

2.6 billion people used mobile financial services, such as mobile banking and mobile money, an increase of 270 million people since 2019. Using mobile financial services helps create employment opportunities, raise productivity and formalise the economy, contributing to SDG 1: No Poverty and SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth. Other gains are included in the report.<\/p>\n

Key facts include:<\/em><\/p>\n