To download a PDF of this statement, please see here.
As a key stakeholder in the IANA functions Stewardship transition process, the GNSO was an active participant in the initial discussions that established a process to gather community views and input on the principles and mechanisms for the transitioning of NTIA’s stewardship. That process led to the formation of the IANA Stewardship Transition Coordination Group, the CWG- Stewardship and the CCWG-Accountability.
The GNSO Council notes the significant progress that has been made since the formation of those groups and particularly commends and appreciates the efforts of those involved in the CWGStewardship and CCWG – Accountability in advancing this work. The GNSO is a chartering organisation of both the CWG and the CCWG and the GNSO Council acknowledges and offers support for the significant effort that has gone into coordinating these separate work streams in order to expedite the process and ensure the outcome is a coherent and comprehensive set of proposals.
In order to further advance the work and ensure it is on a firm legal footing the GNSO Council also supports the recognition that independent legal advice is now a prime requirement and requests ICANN’s assistance and support in achieving that.
The GNSO is a key part of the ICANN multi-stakeholder community and the GNSO Council will therefore be looking to ensure that GNSO’s constituent groups remain fully engaged in the process and are aware of progress in order to be able to react quickly and respond to formal proposals, as these emerge from the CWG- Stewardship and CCWG accountability.
Given it’s co-ordination and policy management role within the GNSO, the GNSO Council remains committed assisting the work within CWG, CCWG and the ICG in order that the community may ultimately deliver a sound, comprehensive and consensus proposal for the transition of the IANA function and one that will uphold the principles set forth in the NTIA announcement, and fully meet the needs of the global Internet community.
February 2015
