The Global Alliance for Information and Communication Technologies and
Development (GAID), an initiative approved by the United Nations
Secretary-General in 2006, was launched after comprehensive worldwide
consultations with governments, the private sector, civil society, the
technical and Internet communities and academia.
While the 2005 United Nations Summits emphasized the importance of ICT
in achieving the internationally agreed development goals, including
the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), there was a need for a truly
global forum that would comprehensively address cross-cutting issues
related to ICT in development.
Recognizing that no single actor is capable of achieving the MDGs in
isolation, the creation of an open and inclusive platform that can
broaden the dialogue on innovative ways of harnessing ICT for advancing
development is crucial.
The Global Alliance is a direct response to this need. With its
multi-stakeholder approach, the Alliance reaffirms the belief that a
people-centered and knowledge-based information society is essential
for achieving better life for all.