'ICT crucial in achieving sustainable development'
Friday, 26 March 2010
Hans Vestberg, CEO of Ericsson said broadband will be key in solving global challenges such as poverty, climate change and the economic crisis.
"2010 marks the tenth anniversary of the Millennium Development Goals (MDG's). With 5 years to go, the ICT sector is poised to play a key role in fighting poverty and climate change, as well as accelerating economic recovery," Vestberg said while co-hosting the Earth Institute's State of the Planet conference in New York.
Vestberg highlighted that telecom is unique because it can impact on all of the Millennium Development Goals.
"Mobile communications access is critical in breaking the cycle of poverty in developing countries. The right tools can help people to escape from poverty and achieve the MDGs," he said. It is making a very meaningful difference in people's lives. Today there are 4.6 billion mobile subscriptions and in five years we are set to reach seven billion," said Vestberg.
He also pointed out to be successful in achieving the potential, "scale up is needed" and that this will require commitments from many different sectors and international organizations.
When it comes to the role of telecommunications to accelerate economic recovery, Vestberg reflected on the fact that governments across the globe are increasingly recognizing the importance of infrastructure spending as a way out of the current financial crisis and mobile operators as traditionally large infrastructure investors can play a significant role in supporting these government efforts.
"2010 marks the tenth anniversary of the Millennium Development Goals (MDG's). With 5 years to go, the ICT sector is poised to play a key role in fighting poverty and climate change, as well as accelerating economic recovery," Vestberg said while co-hosting the Earth Institute's State of the Planet conference in New York.
Vestberg highlighted that telecom is unique because it can impact on all of the Millennium Development Goals.
"Mobile communications access is critical in breaking the cycle of poverty in developing countries. The right tools can help people to escape from poverty and achieve the MDGs," he said. It is making a very meaningful difference in people's lives. Today there are 4.6 billion mobile subscriptions and in five years we are set to reach seven billion," said Vestberg.
He also pointed out to be successful in achieving the potential, "scale up is needed" and that this will require commitments from many different sectors and international organizations.
When it comes to the role of telecommunications to accelerate economic recovery, Vestberg reflected on the fact that governments across the globe are increasingly recognizing the importance of infrastructure spending as a way out of the current financial crisis and mobile operators as traditionally large infrastructure investors can play a significant role in supporting these government efforts.