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Organizational Reviews* assess the effectiveness of ICANN’s supporting organizations and advisory committees. Organizational Reviews are conducted by independent examiners to assess: (i) whether that organization, council or committee has a continuing purpose in the ICANN structure; (ii) if so, whether any change in structure or operations is desirable to improve its effectiveness; (iii) whether that organization, council or committee is accountable to its constituencies, stakeholder groups, organizations and other stakeholders.
The second Generic Names Supporting Organization Review (GNSO2) implementation was considered complete by the ICANN Board in January 2019. The Board took action on 21 June 2021 to defer the Third Review of the Generic Names Supporting Organization. See the Board resolution here.
Further information available on GNSO Review page on ICANN.org
| Review | Community | Board Action | Implementation | ||||
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GNSO2
| Concluded in 2018 Final Report |
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GNSO1
| Concluded in 2012 Final Report |
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*Anchored in Section 4.4 of the ICANN Bylaws.
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The Public Comment: Draft Report: Review of the Generic Names Supporting Organization closed on 31 July 2015. For information on the Draft Report, watch a short YouTube video and read a short Report Summary on any or all of the 36 recommendations. The Final Report was published on 15 September 2015 (along with a correction). |
The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers ("ICANN") engaged Westlake Governance Limited to conduct an independent review of the Generic Names Supporting Organization (GNSO), as mandated by ICANN's Bylaws.
As part of ICANN's ongoing commitment to its evolution and improvement, Section 4.4(a) of ICANN's Bylaws contains provisions for "periodic review of the performance and operation of each Supporting Organization, each Supporting Organization Council, each Advisory Committee (other than the Governmental Advisory Committee), and the Nominating Committee."
These periodic reviews present ICANN structures with opportunities for continuous improvement through consistent application of compliance review principles to objectively measure performance relative to specific and quantifiable criteria developed by ICANN based on the unique nature of its structures. The resulting implementation of improvements and the systematic means of measuring performance and validating effectiveness of implementation are of utmost importance to the ongoing legitimacy of ICANN.
The GNSO is the policy-making body responsible for generic Top-Level Domains, such as .COM, .NET, and .ORG. Its members include representatives from generic Top Level Domains (gTLD) registries, gTLD registrars, intellectual property interest, Internet service providers, businesses and non-commercial interests. The GNSO strives to keep gTLDs operating in a fair, orderly fashion across one global Internet, while promoting innovation and competition.
For additional information on the GNSO Review, see the revised Timeline and Key Links below.
GNSO Review Timeline:
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Key Links
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