In 2000, 189 countries signed up to the Millennium Development Goals. These goals outlined action on matters as diverse as climate change and poverty elevation. The rapidly converging Information and Communications Technology Sector (ICT) recognized that addressing these issues would need an effective, industry-wide response.

As part of this response, GeSI, the Global e-Sustainability Initiative (www.gesi.org), was born in 2001 to further sustainable development in the ICT sector. GeSI fosters global and open cooperation, informs the public of its members’ voluntary actions to improve their sustainability performance, and promotes technologies that foster sustainable development.

In alliance with GeSI’s Secretariat, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), GeSI supports companies and institutions across the ICT industry, including manufacturers, network operators, service providers, trade associations and associate organisations connected to the industry.

The World Summit on the Information Society described information and communication technologies as “a powerful instrument, increasing productivity, generating economic growth, and improving the quality of life of all.“ GeSI considers this a crucial principle to extend the influence of ICT into all aspects of socio-economic development, applying these technologies to both rich and poor countries to achieve sustainable development across the globe.  (www.gesi.org)