GeSI was set up in 2001 as a voluntary industry initiative supported by the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) and the International Telecommunications Union (ITU). We became an independent legal entity as an international not-for-profit organisation in 2008.

With this change of status GeSI members elected a new Board in June 2008. The Board includes four manufacturers and four service providers, with one additional director representing GeSI’s associate members. Board members are elected at our annual general assembly for a two-year term.