Page History

Joanna Kulesza is currently serving as the ALAC Liaison the GAC. She was selected by the ALAC in October 2021 and took on the role on Thursday, 28 October 2021 at the end of the ICANN72 AGM. Yrjö Länsipuro previously served in this role since 2016 when the ALAC unanimously voted to appoint him as the first ALAC Liaison to the GAC.

GAC Liaison Report from ICANN78 [by Joanna Kulesza]

Report date: 2023/11/20

Joint Meeting between GAC and ALAC
The GAC and ALAC convened in a joint session during ICANN78, focusing on key collaborative topics. The agenda encompassed follow-up discussions on the 2017 Joint GAC/ALAC Advice to the Board, deliberations on Closed Generics, and exploration of contention resolutions in new gTLDs, particularly closed bid auctions.

The joint meeting fostered a platform for open dialogue, promoting a deeper understanding of mutual concerns. The collaborative spirit demonstrated during discussions underscores the commitment of both committees to address critical issues impacting ICANN's community.

Election of GAC Vice-Chairs
The GAC elected Vice-Chairs for the term starting after ICANN79 (March 2024) and ending at ICANN82 (March 2025). The elected Vice-Chairs are Zeina Bou Harb (Lebanon), Nigel Hickson (United Kingdom), WANG Lang (China), Christine Arida (Egypt), and Thiago Dal-Toe (Colombia).

Public Safety Working Group (PSWG) Activities and Joint Working Meeting
In addition to the broader GAC meeting, a bilateral session took place between ALAC and the GAC Public Safety Working Group (PSWG). This meeting aimed to foster collaboration on critical issues related to DNS Abuse and domain name registration data access.

The PSWG actively advocated for enhanced measures to combat DNS Abuse and ensure lawful access to domain name registration data. Key highlights from the PSWG meeting include a comprehensive briefing on DNS Abuse Mitigation, support for the GAC Small Group addressing domain name registration issues, and outreach efforts to strengthen collaboration within ICANN.

Closed Generic gTLDs Advisory
The GAC acknowledges and commends the efforts of participants in the GAC, GNSO, and ALAC Facilitated Dialogue on Closed Generics. The GAC issues an advisory to the Board, urging clarity in the Applicant Guidebook regarding the non-consideration of applications for Closed Generic gTLDs in the next round of New gTLDs.

The advisory is based on unanimous support from the Chairs of ALAC, GAC, and GNSO during the Facilitated Dialogue. It emphasizes the importance of community-developed consensus policies before considering applications for Closed Generic gTLDs. The rationale behind this advice includes avoiding confusion for potential applicants, reflecting community concerns, and promoting an open digital space.

This advisory aligns with the GAC's commitment to safeguarding the integrity and public interest of the domain name ecosystem. It underscores the significance of clear guidance in the Applicant Guidebook to prevent unnecessary resource allocation and align with community-wide consensus policies.

GAC Liaison's Report: - Preparations for ICANN 78 [by Joanna Kulesza]

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•    A session ahead of ICANN78 to cover topics such as AI and new n/ew technologies.

These preparations reflect both communities dedication to staying updated on regulatory developments concerning the DNS and safeguarding the interests of end-users, while also highlighting our shared interest in supporting applicants. 

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