GSLDC, GSMA (MWC Shanghai), and the World Internet Conference Secretariat Sign MOU to Launch the Future Digital Leadership Development Program

Shanghai, China — 25 June 2026

The Global SDGs and Leadership Development Center (GSLDC) today announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with GSMA Shanghai Co., Ltd. (MWC Shanghai) and the Secretariat of the World Internet Conference (WIC), formally establishing the Future Digital Leadership Development Program. The signing ceremony took place at Mobile World Congress (MWC) Shanghai 2026.

The agreement was signed on behalf of GSLDC by Mr. Fabrizio Hochschild-Drummond, former Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations and Chairman of GSLDC’s Advisory Committee, and on behalf of GSMA by Mr. John Hoffman, CEO and Director of GSMA Ltd. The WIC Secretariat’s signature was also affixed at the ceremony.

About the Program

The Future Digital Leadership Development Program integrates the specialized strengths of all three parties into a single development pathway for global digital talent:

– WIC will lead on national digital and AI governance, policy design, and country-specific application.

– GSLDC will lead on global strategic leadership, developing curricula grounded in the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the Global Digital Compact, with a focus on multilateral collaboration in the digital economy.

– GSMA / MWC Shanghai will lead on connectivity technology and infrastructure, covering 5G, the Internet of Things (IoT), computing networks, and mobile industry regulation.

Under the agreement, the three parties will jointly launch and deliver training sessions in multiple locations worldwide, with the inaugural ceremony and first sessions held during MWC Shanghai 2026. Activities will be anchored around the partners’ flagship events, including the WIC Wuzhen Summit, MWC Shanghai, and GSLDC’s global training programs.

The Program is structured on a tiered access model: complimentary participation will be offered to government and regulatory stakeholders engaged in global digital governance, while fee-based participation from industry leaders will support the Program’s long-term sustainability.

The agreement is valid for an initial term of one year and may be renewed by written agreement of all three parties.

About GSLDC

The Global SDGs and Leadership Development Center (GSLDC) is a UNITAR-affiliated centre established through a tripartite partnership, dedicated to developing visionary leaders who unite learning, leadership, and innovation in pursuit of a sustainable and equitable world.