We are living in a world that feels more defined by its divisions than its unity. But now more than ever, we need leaders to work together and stay true to their values for the good of people, industry and society.

I’ve always been a strong believer in building bridges, bringing people and industries together behind a common cause, because I know that we can build better, stronger businesses when we work together.

It’s one of the reasons I joined The B Team and why I love the work that we do as a collective – redefining what business looks like and showing that it can be used to build more successful organizations and a more sustainable future that benefits people and the planet.

It has also been one of my guiding principles during my 9 years as Director General at the GSMA, the global mobile industry association, where I have seen firsthand how much we can achieve through collective action – for people, the planet, and for business:

Together we are driving digital inclusion for billions

Thanks to extensive investment by mobile network operators, and powerful partnerships across sectors, today our networks cover 96% of the world’s population, 4.6 billion people are using mobile internet, and 3 billion people are using mobile financial services.

Every one of these connections is vital because they open doors – enabling people to access social and economic benefits. From education to lifesaving medical care, money management to early warning systems in emergencies, each connection helps drive equality and sustainability across the world.

But while much has been achieved, there is still plenty of work to do.

Today around 350 million people still do not have access to mobile broadband coverage, and 3.1 billion people live within coverage, but are not using mobile internet. Looking at what we have accomplished so far, I have no doubt that if we keep working together, we can tackle the barriers and achieve digital inclusion for all.

This is not just the right thing to do, it is also a significant economic opportunity. If we get this right, we could add $3.5 trillion to the global economy by 2030. It’s a win for the unconnected. It’s a win for business. And it’s a victory for the global economy.

Together we are accelerating climate action

In 2019, the GSMA Board set the ambition for the sector to reach Net Zero by 2050. This was at a time where no G7 country had made a formal commitment of its own.

Today, 70 operators, representing almost half of global mobile connections, have since committed to science-based targets of limiting warming to 1.5°C. And in Europe we have seen phenomenal progress with over 50% reduction in emissions since 2019, much of this thanks to the uptake of renewable energy.

Digitalization is a key part of the green transition, and as an industry we know we have a significant role to play, not just in reducing our own emissions, but also in helping other industries reduce their emissions too.

And so, we are ready to engage with each other, and across industries, to drive change and build a more sustainable future.

Together we are unlocking the full potential of the future

This was on full display at MWC Barcelona last week, where we gathered over 109,000 business leaders, innovators, governments and international organizations together in Barcelona, including Leah Seligmann, CEO of The B Team. In a world that seems more fractured than ever, MWC Barcelona shows that in many ways connectivity is the ultimate bridge – bringing us together and opening up new possibilities for future business growth.

From the latest in 5G and AI to GSMA Open Gateway which is unlocking new opportunities in the application programming interface (API) economy, it was impossible to leave without feeling optimistic about what the future holds in store.

Together we have achieved so much, but together I believe we can achieve even more. In a world more divided than ever, collaboration is our greatest superpower – by working together, by building diverse workforces, by focusing on a green tomorrow, I believe we can unlock even more growth and innovation to drive our businesses forward.

"The Catalyst" is The B Team’s monthly newsletter which showcases ways in which leaders are advocating a better way of doing business. Subscribe to receive updates.