The United Nations Foundation board has welcomed the president and chief executive officer of Ericsson Hans Vestberg, as its new member.

The board recognised the Swedish businessman’s 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, said the board in a statement.

Ted Turner, foundation founder and board chair, said: “The UN Foundation will benefit from Hans’ perspective as a leader in global business who uses his position to help people.

“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 leadership extends beyond his capacity at Ericsson. He is 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 UN’s Sustainable Development Solutions Network. - TradeArabia News Service