The Global Alliance for ICT & Developement (GAID) is a 2006, United Nations Secretary General approved initiative. The creation of GAID resulted from consensus reached during previous summits about the importance of information and communication technologies (ICT) in achieving the Millenium Development Goals. The Global Alliance functions as a partnership and network supported by the United Nations, under the authority of the Secretary-General and the auspices of the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC).