UN Foundation Board Names Ericsson President & CEO Hans Vestberg as New Member

The United Nations Foundation Board of Directors today welcomed a new member to the Board – Swedish businessman Hans Vestberg, President & CEO of Ericsson.  In making the announcement, the Board recognized 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,” said Foundation Founder and Board Chair, Ted Turner. “Hans recognizes 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 United States. 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 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 organization 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,” said 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.”

The UN Foundation’s Board of Directors includes some of the most influential leaders of our time, whose pioneering work supports the UN’s vision of a peaceful, prosperous and just world.

About the United Nations Foundation

The United Nations Foundation builds public-private partnerships to address the world’s most pressing problems, and broadens support for the United Nations through advocacy and public outreach. Through innovative campaigns and initiatives, the Foundation connects people, ideas, and resources to help the UN solve global problems. The Foundation was created in 1998 as a U.S. public charity by entrepreneur and philanthropist Ted Turner and now is supported by global corporations, foundations, governments, and individuals. Learn more at:www.unfoundation.org.