Huawei ICT Sustainable Development Benchmark, a report released today in Geneva, Switzerland, assesses correlations between ICT (Information and Communications Technology) and progress in meeting Sustainable Development Goals in 15 countries.
The report found a 90% correlation between ICT investment and progress in meeting six key SDGs including: Health and Well Being (SDG 3), Quality Education (SDG 4), Gender Equality (SDG 5), Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure (SDG 9), Sustainable Cities (SDG 11), and Climate Change (SDG 13). Countries that perform well in ICT also do well in progress on the SDGs, while countries that underperform on ICT also lag on SDG achievement.
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“The SDGs offer an ambitious path to end poverty, fight inequality, and tackle climate change. They are wide-ranging, but have one thing in common: all rely on the enabling power of ICT,” said Kevin (Jingwen) Tao, Chairman of Huawei’s Corporate Sustainable Development Committee, Huawei Technologies Co Ltd. “As a leading ICT company, Huawei has a keen interest in how ICT contributes to economic prosperity and raising standards of living.”
According to the report, the strongest individual correlation is with SDG 9, which promotes infrastructure, industry and innovation – sectors that make societies more efficient and productive, creates jobs and investment opportunities, and supports technology advancement.
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“Today, most vital infrastructure is controlled by ICT: power grids, water supplies, transportation hubs, and more,” said Tao. “This makes ICT infrastructure an economic cornerstone, not just for utilities and logistics, but for empowerment. Broadband access enables people to obtain education, start businesses, create jobs, and much more.”
“Private enterprises must play their part,” said Tao. “Since its founding 30 years ago, Huawei has re-invested more than 10% of our annual revenue into R&D. Last year, it was more than 14%, or about US$11 billion. We believe this investment will build a long-term competitive advantage not just for Huawei, but also for businesses in other economies.”
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