UN Agencies Honored with Global Mobile Industry Award for Refugee Connectivity Initiative

By mid-2026, the initiative has already reached over 1 million forcibly displaced people across more than 15 countries in Africa, Asia, and the Americas.

RMN News Technology Desk
New Delhi | March 2, 2026

BARCELONA — UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, and the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) have been presented with the prestigious Chairman’s Award at the 2026 Global Mobile (GLOMO) Awards. The distinction recognizes their joint flagship initiative, Connectivity for Refugees, which focuses on providing displaced populations and their host communities with reliable and affordable digital access.

The award, titled “Keeping the World Connected in Crisis,” was presented to ITU Secretary-General Doreen Bogdan-Martin and UNHCR Deputy High Commissioner Kelly T. Clements during the event in Barcelona. Recognized as the most prestigious accolades in the mobile industry, the GLOMO Awards celebrate innovations that drive significant societal impact.

A Digital Lifeline for Millions

The Connectivity for Refugees initiative has set an ambitious goal to connect 20 million refugees and host-community members by 2030. The program addresses critical barriers to digital inclusion, including infrastructure gaps, high costs, and low levels of digital literacy.

By mid-2026, the initiative has already reached over 1 million forcibly displaced people across more than 15 countries in Africa, Asia, and the Americas. “Connectivity is a lifeline, not a luxury,” stated Kelly T. Clements during the ceremony, noting that for millions, a mobile signal can be the difference between “life and death, dependency and self-reliance”.

Global Collaboration and Future Goals

Launched at the 2023 Global Refugee Forum, the project is a multi-stakeholder partnership involving the Government of Luxembourg, the GSMA, Cisco, and the Government of Spain. The initiative works directly with local governments and the private sector to empower refugees with access to essential services, education, and livelihood opportunities.

Despite the initiative’s rapid expansion, officials noted that funding challenges remain. ITU Secretary-General Doreen Bogdan-Martin emphasized that the recognition from the mobile industry underscores the “power of collaboration” in ensuring that those forced to flee are not left behind in the digital age.

The two UN agencies concluded the event by calling for increased partnerships and sustained funding to ensure the long-term benefits of digital inclusion reach the world’s most vulnerable communities.