CELLULAR network provider MTN and banking giant Standard Bank, were on Tuesday named as the first partners of the UN World Summit unsustainable development 2002 (WSSD), the Johannesburg world summit company announced in Johannesburg. Company chief executive officer Moss Mashishi said both companies’ commitment through funding this summit illustrated recognition of their role as corporates which supported the social, economic and environmental sustainability of South Africa, Africa and the rest of the world. ”MTN and Standard Bank are South African-based and I am therefore delighted to note that our first corporate support comes from home. The summit provides an opportunity for South Africa to play a meaningful role in bridging the gap between the developed and developing nations, business and civil society sectors and all other global divides that present a risk to sustain development, ” Mashishi said. He said the summit will also hopefully create a conducive platform for international relations between government and global business. – Sapa