MWC is a “unification event” with no room for war.
What you need to know
- The GSMA has announced that there will be no Russia Pavilion at MWC 2022.
- The group announced the unfolding of the events in Ukraine, and the GSMA condemned the intrusion.
- A “small number” of companies were reportedly banned from the show.
MWC 2022 is just a few days away, but after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, some big changes have already taken place.
The GSMA, the organization that hosts MWC, announced on the event’s website that it did not agree to invade Ukraine and would not host the Russian pavilion at MWC 2022.
“GSMA strongly condemns Russia’s invasion of Ukraine,” the group said in a statement. “The situation is changing rapidly and we understand that governments are considering broader sanctions against Russia. Given this emerging situation and considering the tragic loss of life, MWC seems irrelevant in this context. MWC is a visionary unity The event convenes the mobile ecosystem to advance the ways and means by which connectivity can ensure that people, industries and societies thrive.”
“GSMA follows all government sanctions and policies resulting from this situation. There will be no Russia Pavilion at MWC22. The security of the event is constantly being reviewed and adjusted as information becomes available.”
In addition, Reuters reported that “a handful” of Russian companies have been banned from MWC 2022, according to GSMA CEO Jeff Hoffman, who declined to name them.
Earlier this year, several companies, including Lenovo and Sony, chose not to show up at the show due to a surge in COVID-19 cases. However, organizers of MWC 2022 insist the show must go ahead, and Hoffman told Reuters that even now, he sees no reason to cancel or delay the show.
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