Hans Vestberg, president and CEO of Ericsson, has been appointed to the United Nations Foundation board of directors.In making the announcement, the board recognised that Vestberg has demonstrated a deep personal commitment to fighting extreme poverty on a global scale and that, under his leadership, Ericsson has supported important global development and social change initiatives.
“The UN Foundation will benefit from Hans’ perspective as a leader in global business who uses his position to help people,” says Foundation founder and board chair Ted Turner. “Hans recognises the amazing opportunities we have to connect people around the globe to support the work of the United Nations, and to use connectivity to create a better world for everyone.”
Vestberg, who joined Ericsson in 1988, has had significant international experience, including Ericsson positions in Brazil, China, Mexico, and the US. Prior to becoming CEO, he served as Ericsson’s chief financial officer. Under his direction, Ericsson has become the main driver toward the Networked Society, where connectivity is the fuel of progress.
Vestberg’s is also a leading voice on the global stage in support of effective international development goals. He has spoken out as an advocate of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), and for the potential of mobile technologies and broadband to tackle some of the world’s most compelling challenges, such as poverty, health, education and climate change. He is a founding member of the Broadband Commission for Digital Development, established by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and UNESCO, where he currently chairs the task group on the post-2015 development agenda and previously chaired the climate change working group. Vestberg is also a member of the Leadership Council of the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Solutions Network.
“Joining the United Nations Foundation’s board of directors gives me a unique opportunity to help lead an organisation that connects thousands of partners to support the work of the United Nations to improve health, increase prosperity, empower girls and women, and address climate change,” says Vestberg.
“There has never been a more important time to come together to address these challenges, and I look forward to working alongside my fellow Board members and with UN partners to drive sustainable development.”