Ooredoo commits to the UN’s Sustainable Development Agenda

Ooredoo has pledged its commitment to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (“Global Goals”), which aim to eradicate extreme poverty, improve the lives of people and create an all-round healthier world for tomorrow. These are ambitious targets which cannot be achieved without fully leveraging the reach and capabilities of mobile technology, especially in the least developed countries.

His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah is leading a Kuwaiti official delegation to the UN Sustainable Development Summit 2015, which takes place on September 25-27. His Highness the Amir will will highlight in a speech, set for September 26, Kuwait’s conviction in the importance of collective international action, and how sustainable development was closely linked to security and human rights.

Building on the work started by the Millennium Development Goals, implemented 15 years ago, 193 world leaders will adopt on 25th September the Global Goals, a series of 17 ambitious goals to end poverty, fight inequality and injustice, and tackle climate change for everyone by 2030.

Dr Nasser Marafih, Group CEO, Ooredoo commented: “The Global Goals set an ambitious agenda; one which encourages us, alongside every individual and business, to challenge ourselves in our response.  The reach of mobile technology, particularly into underserved communities, is unprecedented and we know it can help make a direct contribution to nearly all of the issues the goals address.  We are passionate about mobile technology as a tool to effect positive social and economic change.”

The social impact of mobile technology is unprecedented. Driving extraordinary economic growth and new ways of delivering education, health and rural development through an interconnected world of communication and knowledge sharing, information and communication technologies (ICTs) have transformed the world during the past 15 years. 

Together the reach of mobile technology and the ability to leverage mobile phones to achieve social good make a powerful combination. The Mobile sector has an important role to play in helping the UN achieve these Global Goals, not least because mobile technology can make a direct contribution to 15 of the 17 Global Goals. 

Ooredoo will continue to work hard to stimulate human growth and contribute to the sustainable development of the communities it operates in. Going above and beyond to this ambitious post-2015 agenda, Ooredoo will continue to focus its efforts on Good Health, Gender Equality and Innovation and Infrastructure.

In 2015 Ooredoo Kuwait, in partnership with the Ministry of Social Affairs and Labor, Ministry of Youth, Kuwait Red Crescent and Central Blood Bank launched the Ooredoo Volunteer Program which has trained approximately 250 young people to support NGOs in the country. 

Earlier this year, fifty members of our OVP program supported the Central Blood Bank to provide emergency relief during a terrorist bombing in Kuwait. This cadre is now helping other good causes and has been active during Ramadan delivering care packages.

Ooredoo Kuwait has also supported OxAdventure a local initiative which sends Kuwaiti teenagers to developing countries to serve the communities in need. This gives an opportunity to work on many of the issues raised in the Global goals at the crass-root levels, and make significant contributions to the lives of the less fortunate. 

The empowerment of women is a serious commitment for Ooredoo, one which sits at the heart of its corporate culture. Ooredoo’s companies are proud to take the lead in providing award-winning services for women, bringing more women online, boosting national GDP and helping create fair and equal access.

Through a range of smart solutions and initiatives which drive local innovation Ooredoo is working to close the digital divide, help everyone stay connected all of the time, and power local innovation in each of its markets.

As the principal driver for connectivity across the developing world, the mobile industry makes an immense contribution to digital inclusion and empowerment for all. Mobile technology can and should play an important role in achieving the Global Goals.