Blog from June, 2014

News Alert

https://www.icann.org/news/announcement-2014-06-26-en


GAC Communiqué Issued at ICANN Meeting in London

26 June 2014

The Governmental Advisory Committee (GAC) today issued its communiqué during ICANN's 50th public meeting in London. To download a copy, click here [PDF, 139 KB].

As a friendly reminder, please kindly upload your *ICANN 50 Meeting* reports to the workspace here: https://community.icann.org/x/3pbhAg

 

For clarification, this workspace is *not* for uploading ATLAS II thematic group reports, but only for the ICANN 50 Meeting. 

 

News Alert

https://www.icann.org/resources/press-material/release-2014-06-24-en


ICANN and CATR Signs Memorandum of Understanding to Enhance Collaboration Between ICANN and Chinese Stakeholders | Closer Collaboration on Engagement Efforts in China

24 June 2014

London, United Kingdom… ICANN and the China Academy of Telecommunication Research (CATR) today signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to forge closer collaboration on engagement efforts in China.

Under the cooperative agreement, ICANN and CATR will work together to improve communication with Chinese communities, align academic and public research in IP address and domain name areas, and exchange opinions on Internet governance. CATR will also help to promote participation from the Chinese community in ICANN activities such as ICANN public meetings.

"This partnership is a testament to how China – a country with over one fifth of the global Internet population and a vibrant Internet industry – can engage and contribute in the ICANN global community," said Fadi Chehadé, ICANN President and Chief Executive Officer. "This marks another milestone in ICANN's globalization efforts after we established our first engagement center in Beijing last April."

CATR President, Cao Shumin and Fadi Chehadé signed the MOU at ICANN's 50th Public Meeting in London, United Kingdom.

"CATR is a constructive player in ICANN's community and appreciates ICANN's globalization effort. This MOU will go a long way to promote the mutual understanding," said Cao Shumin. "We believe that this cooperation program will bring ICANN closer to the Chinese Internet users and industry. We are delighted to work with ICANN on such a meaningful program, especially at such a critical transformation period of ICANN."

Kuek Yu-Chuang, ICANN's Vice President and Managing Director for ICANN Asia Pacific commented that CATR is recognized as a renowned national research institute with over 50 years experience in technological and policy research.

"CATR has rich experience and wide connection in working with China's government, academia and industry. We are very excited to collaborate with a close partner such as CATR. Our cooperation will not only benefit China, but also set examples for ICANN's collaboration with other countries in the Asia Pacific," he added.

The China Academy of Telecommunication Research is a unit of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT). It supports the government and serves the ICT industry in China. It is a pillar unit in the ICT field in China and a major supportive unit for MIIT in comprehensive policies, giving full support to MIIT in terms of technologies and policies at both macro and micro levels from domestic and international perspectives.

# # #

To download high resolution photos of the signing ceremony, click here.

Media Contacts

Liana Teo
Head of Communications, Asia Pacific
Singapore
Tel: +65 6808 6669
Email: liana.teo@icann.org

About ICANN

ICANN's mission is to ensure a stable, secure and unified global Internet. To reach another person on the Internet you have to type an address into your computer - a name or a number. That address has to be unique so computers know where to find each other. ICANN coordinates these unique identifiers across the world. Without that coordination we wouldn't have one global Internet. ICANN was formed in 1998. It is a not-for-profit public-benefit corporation with participants from all over the world dedicated to keeping the Internet secure, stable and interoperable. It promotes competition and develops policy on the Internet's unique identifiers. ICANN doesn't control content on the Internet. It cannot stop spam and it doesn't deal with access to the Internet. But through its coordination role of the Internet's naming system, it does have an important impact on the expansion and evolution of the Internet. For more information please visit: www.icann.org.

News Alert

https://www.icann.org/news/announcement-3-2014-06-23-en


Westlake Governance Appointed to Conduct Independent Review of the GNSO

23 June 2014

The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers ("ICANN") has appointed Westlake Governance Limited ("Westlake Governance") to conduct an independent review of the Generic Names Supporting Organization ("GNSO"). This review is part of ICANN's commitment to continuous improvement, accountability and transparency.

The GNSO serves an important function – it is responsible for developing and recommending to the ICANN Board substantive policies relating to generic top-level domains.

The purpose of the review is to evaluate organizational effectiveness of the GNSO, acknowledge areas that are working well, identify areas that need improvement and propose needed changes. This review, like reviews of other structures within ICANN, is mandated by ICANN's Bylaws.

The GNSO Review addresses the new, improved approach to conducting reviews. The GNSO will be a protagonist in this inclusive process: in keeping with ICANN's bottom-up, multistakeholder approach, this review process will incorporate a "self-review" by the GNSO community and its direct involvement. An online survey will collect feedback from other ICANN structures and community members, the Board and staff. Westlake will collect both quantitative and qualitative data through various work methods to develop a sufficient basis for formulating findings and recommendations. The review will begin immediately and is expected to conclude in January 2015.

The selection of an independent examiner is done in accordance with the process defined in SIC Systematization of Organizational Reviews Processes [PDF, 671 KB] and involves Organizational Review staff and the Structural Improvements Committee of the Board ("SIC"). Seven proposals were carefully evaluated and the evaluation results and scores were presented for consideration and action by the ICANN Board Structural Improvements Committee. The selection criteria included: Knowledge and Expertise (including knowledge of ICANN), Qualifications of the Professional Team Assigned (including ability to act independently, without conflict of interest); Proposed Methodology; Ability to Deliver High Quality, Useful Report and Recommendations; and Costs.

Westlake Governance is a globally-focused, New Zealand-based consulting firm, serving clients from a wide cross-section of not-for-profit, commercial and government-owned sectors. The firm has performed reviews of ICANN's At-Large Advisory Committee ("ALAC") and the Root Server System Advisory Committee ("RSSAC").

Additional information:

News Alert

https://www.icann.org/news/announcement-2014-06-23-en


Largest Ever ICANN Meeting Convenes in London | Affirmation of Multistakeholder Model for Internet Governance by World Leaders

23 June 2014

More than 3,300 people from around the world have registered for ICANN's 50th meeting in London, making it the largest in the organization's history.

"Today is a great day for advancement of the multistakeholder model and its inclusivity," said Fadi Chehadé, President and CEO of ICANN. "ICANN 50 is a milestone meeting for many reasons, not the least of which is the remarkable affirmations of the multistakeholder model it has brought."

Chehadé applauded the Chinese government's adoption of the DNSSEC deployment and the expansion of the IPv6 protocol, which he said will assure the expansion of the continued global expansion of the Internet.

Minister Lu Wei of China's Cyberspace Affairs Administration told attendees, "We all hold one single aspiration, i.e. to improve the governance of the Internet. This is in line with ICANN's vision of 'One World, One Internet'."

Minister Lu expressed appreciation and support for the advancements of the multistakeholder model that framed the NETmundial meeting in Sao Paulo, Brazil in April.

Minister Lu's comments followed the recognition of the newly formed Lebanon Internet Center or LINC.

Dr. Imad Hoballah, a member of the LINC Board, said, "The multistakeholder approach draws its strength from the ability to bring together diverse views, and align them to a common goal of a global, interoperable Internet."

Chehadé acknowledged the announcements by both Lebanon and China, "Both are a testament to the world's growing commitment to an inclusive multistakeholder Internet governance model, as is the remarkably high participation from so many people from every region of the world."

The U.K.'s Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Culture, Communications and Creative Industries Edward Vaizey told attendees, "The Internet, as it has been governed, has to be seen as an unqualified success story. It's created the opportunity for massive economic growth and for greater intellectual freedom. So if we're going to look at the governance of the Internet, it's important that we preserve those principles."

Board Chair, Dr. Stephen Crocker, embraced ICANN's maturation to meet the needs of an expanding online world. "Our world, - the Internet world… is constantly evolving, changing to meet the ever-expanding number of global Internet users"

The Board Chair for the UK Internet registry Nominet, Baroness Rennie Fritchie said, "We approach the challenge of Internet governance with the same appetite, finding better ways of doing our bit, working together and a desire to make real progress."

"In an increasingly globalized world, having a sense of identity, of course, becomes ever more important," the First Minister of Wales, the Rt Hon Carwyn James told attendees, "The Internet allows us to make connections that go beyond our local neighborhoods and even beyond our country's borders, allowing individuals to develop their personal identity in whatever manner they see fit."

ICANN also announced the winner of the 2014 Multistakeholder Ethos Award – Avri Doria, policy and governance advisor for dotgay LLC. The Multistakeholder Ethos Award recognizes ICANN participants who have deeply invested in consensus-based solutions, recognized the importance of ICANN's multistakeholder model of Internet governance, and contributed in a substantive way to the higher interests of ICANN's organization and its community.

ICANN's 50th meeting will continue through the week with sessions on ICANN's global accountability and consideration of the U.S. government's proposal to transition of the stewardship of the Internet's technical functions to global multistakeholder model.

###

To learn more about ICANN50 go here: http://london50.icann.org/en/.

To download high-res pictures of the meeting, go to: https://www.flickr.com/photos/icann

 

 

News Alert

https://www.icann.org/resources/press-material/release-2-2014-06-23-en


ICANN Signs Agreements with Qatar and Egypt Promoting the DNS Industry and IG Multi-stakeholder Approach in the Middle East and Africa | Establishment of a Regional DNS Entrepreneurship Center (DNS-EC)

23 June 2014

London, UK…ICANN announced today the signing of two important agreements during the High-Level Government Meeting at ICANN's 50th Public Meeting in London. Attended by approximately 30 ministers from around the globe the signing showcases ICANN's continued regional engagement amongst different stakeholders, in promoting the DNS industry and the Internet governance multistakeholder approach nationally, regionally and globally.

"As the Internet evolves to accommodate the needs of the next billion users – most of whom will not be using a Latin keyboard – it is critical that we, as the greater Internet community, continue to build the necessary infrastructure and capacity for its growth," said Fadi Chehadé, President of ICANN. "Such strategic partnerships are the best way for ICANN to extend its reach globally and support the excellent work being done at local levels."

The agreement ICANN signed today with Mr. Hesham Al-Alaily, Executive President of Egypt's National Telecommunication Regulatory Authority (NTRA), specifically calls for the establishment of a regional DNS Entrepreneurship Center (DNS-EC) in Cairo, to serve communities in Africa and the Middle East. The Center aims to contribute to the evolution of the domain name sector in Africa and the Middle East by developing and providing expertise in DNS technical, policy and entrepreneurial areas, as well as providing resources to support the implementation of initiatives and projects in this field.

The project will be implemented in three phases – Foundation (1 July 2014-30 June 2015), Launch (1 July 2015-30 June 2017) and Operation (Ongoing). The aim is for the DNS-EC to become an independent entity serving Africa and the Middle East by the end of Phase I – 30 June 2015.

"I am pleased to kick-start, today, this partnership between NTRA and ICANN, for the establishment of a DNS Entrepreneurship Center in Egypt. The foundation of the DNS Entrepreneurship Center presents an important milestone, materializing the plans set out by the Middle East Strategy for ICANN. This also comes in line with Egypt's strategy to become a main Internet Hub for the region, capitalizing on its geographic location and potential calibers," said Hesham Al-Alaily. "I believe that the partnership established today confirms a joint commitment to the region and its emerging domain name markets. It aims at growing the local and regional markets by developing local expertise in domain name-related areas: technical, policy, and entrepreneurial. Anchored in Egypt, I am confident that this Center will play a key role in the Middle East and African regions and will serve as a catalyst for developing the DNS industry and the Internet ecosystem at large."

As for the agreement with Qatar, signed by H.E Dr. Hessa Al Jaber, Minister of Information and Communications Technology, it focuses on all involved parties agreeing to cooperate with the overall aim of supporting the development of the domain name industry and Internationalized Domain Names (such as those in Arabic script) in the region, as well as to promote the multistakeholder model of Internet Governance. It also calls for the collaboration in joint projects and activities in areas related to ICANN's mission and mandate.

"We are pleased to have a strategic partnership with ICANN to enhance our national efforts in positioning Qatar as a prominent player in the global digital economy. Qatar will also support ICANN's multi-stakeholder model and globalization efforts to ensure that the Internet remains open and accessible for everyone." Stated Dr. Hessa Al Jaber, Minister of Information and Communications Technology, Qatar.

# # #

Media Contacts

Luna Madi
EMEA, Communications Director
London, UK
Tel: +44 7780 947574
Email: luna.madi@icann.org

About ICANN

ICANN's mission is to ensure a stable, secure and unified global Internet. To reach another person on the Internet you have to type an address into your computer - a name or a number. That address has to be unique so computers know where to find each other. ICANN coordinates these unique identifiers across the world. Without that coordination we wouldn't have one global Internet. ICANN was formed in 1998. It is a not-for-profit public-benefit corporation with participants from all over the world dedicated to keeping the Internet secure, stable and interoperable. It promotes competition and develops policy on the Internet's unique identifiers. ICANN doesn't control content on the Internet. It cannot stop spam and it doesn't deal with access to the Internet. But through its coordination role of the Internet's naming system, it does have an important impact on the expansion and evolution of the Internet. For more information please visit: www.icann.org.

 

 

News Alert

https://www.icann.org/news/announcement-2-2014-06-23-en


Avri Doria is First Winner of ICANN Multistakeholder Ethos Award

23 June 2014

 

The Evaluation Committee for the pilot ICANN Multistakeholder Ethos Award Program selected longtime community member Avri Doria as the award's first recipient. She receives the award in recognition of her multiple roles in ICANN (such as ATRT2, the ICANN academy and being an active participant in many working groups). The award also recognizes her active and constructive engagement in other Internet fora such as the UN Working Group on Internet Governance (WGIG), the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS), Internet Governance Forum (IGF), the UN Working Group on Enhanced Cooperation (WGEC), the Internet Society (ISOC), the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF), the Internet Research Task Force (IRTF), and others.

A Nominating Committee appointee to ICANN's GNSO Council from 2005-2009, and elected from the Non-Commercial Stakeholder Group (NCSG) from 2013 to now, Avri also chaired the GNSO and its council from 2007-2009. She has served in multiple GNSO working groups, as a key participant on the Joint Applicant Support Program Cross Community Working Group, and within several At-Large working groups. A resident of Rhode Island, US, she is currently a policy and governance advisor to dotgay LLC, on the research staff of the Association for Progressive Communications (APC) and a member of the faculty of the International School for Internet Governance.

Overall, the evaluation panel selected her from 22 nominees as the one who best demonstrated the spirit of collaboration as shown through empathy and a sincere desire to engage with people from other backgrounds, cultures and interests. She has demonstrated her willingness to reach out to new people, to listen and really engage with others who do not necessarily share her viewpoints or interests. She is well known beyond any one constituency or stakeholder group as someone willing to have a true dialogue and work toward consensus. She is a real steward of the multistakeholder model.

The community evaluation panel was: Carolina Aguerre, John Berard, David Conrad, Olivier Crépin-Leblond, Robert Guerra, Roelof Meijer, Jonathan Robinson and Stefano Trumpy. Nominees and nominators are confidential.

Working over a period of four weeks, they evaluated nominations sent in from the community and carefully deliberated each candidate on four criteria:

  1. Demonstrated multistakeholder volunteer service via working groups or committees.
  2. Demonstrated spirit of collaboration through engagement with other community members with the aim of consensus building.
  3. Demonstrated facilitator of dialogue and open discussion in a fair, cordial and collegial manner.
  4. Demonstrated additional devotional factors exhibited by time spent supporting ICANN's multistakeholder model and its overall effectiveness.

The pilot program was created to test the concept of a Multistakeholder Ethos Award that recognizes those ICANN participants who have deeply invested in consensus-based solutions and the importance of ICANN's multistakeholder model to Internet Governance. Because the multistakeholder model brings together competing or special interests to work towards a joint goal, it usually brings spirited discussions and debates on a range of issues. Because of the presence of so many different opinions and interests within ICANN's policy-making structure, courtesy and collaboration are key to its success.

 

Meeting Report

Please kindly note that the ICANN 50 London meeting report workspace has been created.

Please kindly upload your report to the space: https://community.icann.org/x/3pbhAg.

Dear All, 

Olivier Crépin-Leblond, Chair of the ALAC, has asked that a vote be held by the ALAC on the proposed ratification of the “ALAC Statement on the ICANN Draft Five-Year Strategic Plan (FY16-FY20)."

*****

Question: Do you support the ratification of the "ALAC Statement on the ICANN Draft Five-Year Strategic Plan (FY16-FY20)" for communication to the relevant parties?

*****

Additional information on this Statement can be found on the At-Large ICANN Draft Five-Year Strategic Plan (FY16-FY20) Workspace

Please note that the poll will be open from 22-June-2014 00:00 UTC to 27-June-2014 20:00 UTC.

Regards,

Heidi Ullrich, Silvia Vivanco, Ariel Liang, Gisella Gruber, Nathalie Peregrine and Terri Agnew

ICANN Policy Staff in support of ALAC

E-mail: staff@atlarge.icann.org

Facebook: www.facebook.com/icann.atlarge

Twitter: @ICANN_AtLarge 

 

 

News Alert

https://www.icann.org/news/announcement-3-2014-06-21-en


Update on Root Zone Label Generation Rule Generation Panel Formation

20 June 2014

As we approach ICANN 50, ICANN is pleased to share the steady momentum of the development on the formation of Generation Panels for developing the script proposals. These script based panels – made up of Internet community volunteers – will propose the rules that define code points, variants and additional label level constraints for the Root Zone. The latest updates on Label Generation Rule (LGR) Generation Panels will be a key topic at the ICANN meeting in London, which takes place 22-26 June 2014.

Progress to date includes:

  • The Arabic Script Generation Panel is fully formed and operational. The Panel had its second face to face meeting in June 2014, which took place in Istanbul, Turkey. Arabic script code point variants were discussed.
  • Members of the community have submitted a formal proposal to form the Chinese Generation Panel, which is currently under review.
  • There has been outreach activity in the Korean and Japanese script communities to form corresponding Generation Panels.
  • Community members involved with the Chinese-Japanese-Korean (CJK) panels have initiated coordination efforts for the Han script.
  • Members of the community are actively organizing the Neo-Brahmi Generation Panel and recruiting members. Interested parties should view the Call for Participation [PDF, 72 KB].
  • There is initial interest in forming other Generation Panels.

To learn more about these efforts, we invite you to join us in person or remotely at ICANN 50 Internationalized Domain Name (IDN) sessions:

  • IDN Variant TLDs Program session
    Wednesday, 25 June 2014 - 08:30-10:00 BST
    (http://london50.icann.org/en/schedule/wed-idn-variant-tld)
    The session will focus on updates on the IDN Variant TLD Program, and more specifically on the Root Zone LGR Project, including developments around the MSR-1, program outreach efforts, and script community updates on the LGR work.
  • IDN Root Zone LGR Generation Panels Workshop
    Wednesday, 25 June 2014 - 13:00-15:00 BST
    (http://london50.icann.org/en/schedule/wed-lgr)
    The purpose of this workshop is to foster interactions among community members, gather feedback on experiences to establish Generation Panels, and engage with Integration Panel members. Several script community representatives will present, with opportunities for questions and answers.

Speak up for your language!

ICANN continues to seek panel volunteers for following scripts: Arabic, Bengali, Chinese, Cyrillic, Devanagari, Georgian, Greek, Gujarati, Gurmukhi, Hebrew, Japanese, Korean, Latin, Sinhala, Tamil, Telugu, Thai, and other scripts. Ideal candidates will have a diverse range of interests, expertise in a variety of technical and language disciplines, and a commitment to expanding a multilingual Internet. Volunteers interested in getting involved should email ICANN at idntlds@icann.org.

For more information on forming or participating in LGR Panels, please read Generation Panel formation quick guide kit [PDF, 335 KB].

 

 

 

News Alert

https://www.icann.org/news/announcement-2-2014-06-20-en


Maximal Starting Repertoire Version 1 (MSR-1)? for the Development of Label Generation Rules for the Root Zone

20 June 2014

To support IDN labels in the root zone, the ICANN community, at the direction of the Board, undertook several projects to study and make recommendations on their viability and delegation. One of these projects is the implementation of the Procedure to Develop and Maintain the Label Generation Rules for the Root Zone in Respect of IDNA Labels [PDF, 1.39 MB] (the Procedure) allowing for the development of Label Generation Rules (LGR) for the Root Zone. The LGR for the Root Zone is a mechanism for creating and maintaining rules with respect to IDN labels for the root.

In the context of the implementation of the Procedure, ICANN is pleased to announce that the Integration Panel has released the first version of the Maximal Starting Repertoire (MSR-1). The MSR-1 is the first deliverable from the Integration Panel under the Procedure and will serve as a fixed collection of code points from which Generation Panels may make a selection in constructing the repertoire for their respective LGR proposals.

The MSR-1 covers the following 22 scripts: Arabic, Bengali, Cyrillic, Devanagari, Georgian, Greek, Gujarati, Gurmukhi, Han, Hangul, Hebrew, Hiragana, Kannada, Katakana, Lao, Latin, Malayalam, Oriya, Sinhala, Tamil, Telugu, and Thai. MSR-1 contains 32,790 code points short-listed from 97,973 PVALID/CONTEXT code points of Unicode version 6.3.

This release of MSR-1 sets the stage for the work by Generation Panels. In addition to selecting their repertoire from within the MSR for developing LGR proposals, Generation Panels will also evaluate whether any such code points are variants and if any rules are needed to further constrain the labels generated using these code points. The resulting LGR proposals by the Generation Panels will be released for public comment before they are reviewed by the Integration Panel for integration into the Root Zone LGR. If it becomes necessary to stage the release of the LGR, for example because not all Generation Panels are able to submit proposals at the same time, subsequent versions of the LGR may be released.

MSR-1 defers some of the eligible scripts, so as to balance timeliness with comprehensiveness. At a later stage, another version of the MSR will be developed to include repertoires from the deferred scripts and make other additions to the repertoire as warranted. It would be the foundation for any subsequent LGR versions. All future versions of the MSR and all versions of the LGR must retain full backwards compatibility.

MSR-1 release consists of the following documents:

 

 

News Alert

https://www.icann.org/news/announcement-2014-06-20-en


Experienced Internet Veterans Return to ICANN to Support Global Engagement and Technical Excellence

20 June 2014

20 June 2014 – The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) today announced that it is has named David Conrad to the newly created position of Chief Technology Officer (CTO), and Anne-Rachel Inné to the role of VP, Government Engagement – Geneva.

As CTO, Conrad will work closely with internal and external stakeholders to develop a technology roadmap for the Internet identifiers system and coordinate with community. Conrad will assume the role of CTO on 4 August and report to Akram Atallah, president of ICANN's Global Domains Division.

"David's extensive experience with domain name system operations, Internet identifier technology, cybersecurity, and IT, coupled with his familiarity with ICANN, makes him the ideal person for this new role," said Atallah. "I am confident that David will quickly make an impact as we continue to focus on improving the efficiency, effectiveness, and security of our business operations."

Anne-Rachel Inné will assume the role on 15 July and report to ICANN's Senior Advisor to the President on Government Engagement, Tarek Kamel.

Based in ICANN's Geneva Engagement Center, Anne-Rachel will be responsible for designing a full engagement plan for ICANN's outreach work with the country missions to the UN in Geneva.

"The VP Government Engagement role- Geneva is critical in expanding our engagement efforts with governments, intergovernmental organizations and the UN in Geneva," said Kamel. "We are pleased to welcome back Anne-Rachel to ICANN, and are confident she'll bring a lot to the role based on her extensive experience in the ICANN community."

About David Conrad

Conrad has more than 30 years of experience in the Internet industry, including 5 years with ICANN where he held positions including general manager of IANA and vice president of Infrastructure & Technology from 2005-2010. Most recently Conrad served as owner/principal of Virtualized, LLC, where he provided consulting services on Internet technologies, domain name system operations, cybersecurity, and Internet governance policies, standards and technologies. Additional experience includes founder, CTO for Nominum, Inc.; president and CEO of Internet Engines, Inc.; executive director of the Internet Software Consortium (ISC); and director general of the Asia Pacific Network Information Center (APNIC), Ltd. Conrad holds of Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Maryland.

About Anne-Rachel Inné

Anne-Rachel brings more than 16 years experience in the ICT sphere and extensive background and relationships with the ICANN community and governments, having held roles including Chief Operations Officer at AFRINIC, where she led Member Services, Communications and IT teams and was responsible for maintaining relationships with governments and intergovernmental organizations.. Prior to this, she was a key contributor to ICANN processes and functions and contributed to policy analysis and international relationship management. She performed several functions for ICANN. Most recently, from 2006-2012, she was the Manager for Regional Relations in Africa for ICANN.

Dear All, 

Olivier Crépin-Leblond, Chair of the ALAC, has asked that a vote be held by the ALAC on the proposed ratification of the “ALAC Statement on the ICANN Draft Five-Year Strategic Plan (FY16-FY20)."

*****

Question: Do you support the ratification of the "ALAC Statement on the ICANN Draft Five-Year Strategic Plan (FY16-FY20)" for communication to the relevant parties?

*****

Additional information on this Statement can be found on the At-Large ICANN Draft Five-Year Strategic Plan (FY16-FY20) Workspace

Please note that the poll will be open from 22-June-2014 00:00 UTC to 27-June-2014 20:00 UTC.

 

Dear All,

Please kindly note that the At-Large Workspace for the following Public Comment has been created: Universal Acceptance of TLDs Draft Roadmap<https://community.icann.org/x/FrDhAg>

Regards,

Heidi Ullrich, Silvia Vivanco, Ariel Liang, Gisella Gruber, Nathalie Peregrine and Terri Agnew

ICANN Policy Staff in support of ALAC

News Alert

http://www.icann.org/news/announcement-2014-06-16-en


ICANN Grants Data Retention Waiver to NAMEWEB BVBA

16 June 2014

DATA RETENTION WAIVER
NAMEWEB BVBA

NAMEWEB BVBA ("Registrar") submitted to ICANN a Registrar Data Retention Waiver Request ("Waiver Request") on the basis of Registrar's contention that compliance with the data collection and/or retention requirements of the Data Retention Specification in the 2013 RAA violates applicable law in Belgium.

ICANN hereby grants Registrar a limited waiver from compliance with certain provisions of the 2013 RAA on the following terms:

  1.  ICANN agrees that, following Registrar's execution of the 2013 RAA, for purposes of assessing Registrar's compliance with the data retention requirement of Paragraph 1.1 of the Data Retention Specification in the 2013 RAA, the period of "two additional years" in Paragraph 1.1 of the Data Retention Specification will be deemed modified to "one additional year."
  2.  In all other respects the terms of the Data Retention Specification will remain AS IS. The waiver granted to Registrar applies only to the post-sponsorship period of retention of the data listed in the Paragraphs 1.1.1 through 1.1.8 inclusive of the Data Retention Specification, and it does not constitute a waiver of any other provisions of the 2013 RAA or other ICANN policies applicable to registrars. Without limiting the foregoing, nothing in this waiver limits Registrar's obligation to comply with Consensus Policies or Temporary Policies developed and adopted in accordance with ICANN's Bylaws ("ICANN Policies") or limits Registrar's obligation to comply with any amendment, supplement or modification of the 2013 RAA approved and adopted in accordance with the terms of the 2013 RAA ("RAA Amendments"). In the event of any inconsistency between this waiver and the terms of any ICANN Policy or RAA Amendment, the terms of the ICANN Policy or RAA Amendment will control.
  3.  The waiver granted to Registrar shall remain in effect for the duration of the term of the 2013 RAA signed by Registrar.