As you will see from the many activities and projects described in this report, m-Powering for Development: Turning Opportunities into Reality, in public and private sectors and sometimes through a partnership of the two – very real progress is being made. As a result, the lives of millions are being changed for the better in countries around the world.

Take for example the newly connected farmer whose livelihood is now more stable and secure; or the child, hungry to learn, who can now access precious educational resources; the citizen who can access government services in agriculture, utilities, healthcare, energy, education and employment; or the previously unbanked now transferring money with ease; or individuals living in rural areas now enjoying mobile coverage courtesy of an imaginative new business model; and low-income women newly empowered through mobile phone ownership.

This report tells these very human stories and many, many more.RELATED: Using mobile phones to deliver mHealth services to millions (VIDEO)

Powerful as these examples are in their own right, they demonstrate clearly how very real and within reach the opportunity represented by mobile technology has become.

So let us build on the progress already achieved – and see this progress as powerful encouragement to increase momentum still further in the years to come, as we redouble our efforts to achieve the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

I commend the work of the m-Powering Development Initiative Advisory Board and offer sincere thanks to Mr Sam Pitroda, Chairman, and all Advisory Board and Working Group Members for their excellent work.View or download the report here.