Ooredoo Commits to the UN's Sustainable Development Agenda

DOHA, Qatar, Sept. 21, 2015 /PRNewswire/ --

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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.

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.

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. 

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."

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 the following areas:

Goal 3: Good health

From Mobile Clinics in Algeria, Indonesia, Myanmar and Tunisia to the specialised maternal healthcare app "MayMay" and specialised humanitarian and disaster response initiatives, Ooredoo offers an immediate response to some of the serious health issues being faced by people in underserved communities across our global footprint.

Goal 5: Gender Equality

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 in markets ranging from Iraq to Indonesia, bringing more women online, boosting national GDP and helping create fair and equal access.

Goal 9: Innovation and infrastructure

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.

Dr Nasser Marafih added: "Across our global footprint we are working with partners in every market to action meaningful solutions to these global issues, as well as raise awareness of the goals and what they hope to achieve. Our commitment is that we will build on these initiatives, further their reach and continue to innovate as we work to create a better tomorrow for all."      

About Ooredoo

Ooredoo is a leading international communications company delivering mobile, fixed, broadband internet and corporate managed services tailored to the needs of consumers and businesses across markets in the Middle East, North Africa and Southeast Asia. As a community-focused company, Ooredoo is guided by its vision of enriching people's lives and its belief that it can stimulate human growth by leveraging communications to help people achieve their full potential. Ooredoo has a presence in markets such as Qatar, Kuwait, Oman, Algeria, Tunisia, Iraq, Palestine, the Maldives, Myanmar and Indonesia. The company was named "Best Mobile Operator of the Year" at the World Communication Awards 2013.

The company reported revenues of US$9.1 billion in 2014 and had a consolidated global customer base of more than 107 million people as of 31 December 2014. Ooredoo's shares are listed on the Qatar Exchange and the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange.

Twitter: @Ooredoo

Facebook: facebook.com/ooredoogroup

LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/company/ooredoo

About the Global Goals for Sustainable Development

The Sustainable Development Goals are at the heart of the ambitious new global agenda that have been agreed and will be adopted by the 193 Member States at the Sustainable Development Summit which will take place September 25th-27th, 2015, in New York at the United Nations. More than 160 world leaders will be in New York to adopt the goals -- which builds on the UN's successful Millennium Development Goals (2000-2015) that have lifted millions out of poverty. This new agenda will build on the successes and go further because it is a universal agenda that will improve the lives of all people around the world.

Through an integrated approach, the goals will tackle the social, economic and environmental challenges to achieve sustainable development to meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. The new Sustainable Development agenda will guide all countries on a path that will transform the lives of all people toward increased prosperity and greater well-being while protecting the environment. - See more at: http://www.ooredoo.com/en/media/news_view/Its-Time-To-Change-The-World

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