Page History

Introduction

The ICANN Board requested in its meeting in Nairobi stakeholders of SOs and ACs to develop an approach to providing support to applicants requiring assistance in applying for and operating new gTLDs (resolution in italics).

Whereas numerous stakeholders have, on various occasions, expressed concern about the cost of applying for new gTLDs, and suggested that these costs might hinder applicants requiring assistance, especially those from developing countries
Resolved (2010.03.12.46), the Board recognizes the importance of an inclusive New gTLD Program.
Resolved (2010.03.12.47), the Board requests stakeholders to work through their SOs and ACs, and form a Working Group to develop a sustainable approach to providing support to applicants requiring assistance in applying for and operating new gTLDs."

Two ICANN Working Groups are tackling this topic: the first is addressing the categorization of applications and has already come up with a draft report, and the second (Joint SO/AC Working Group on New gTLD Applicant Support) has just started its work, and its duty is to evaluate and propose policy recommendations regarding support to new gTLD applicants in justified cases.
Some of the AFRALO members participate in one or both WGs and work to have the African Point of View reflected in the recommendations.

AFRALO (African Regional At-Large Organization) decided in its April 2010 monthly teleconference to hold a joint meeting with the whole African community participating in the Brussels meeting to discuss the possible support for new gTLD applicants as per the Board resolution in Nairobi, and bring the African point of view to the working group.

idea to organize a joint meeting for the African Regional At-Large Organisation (AFRALO) and AfrICANN developped shortly after the ICANN Nairobi meeting in early 2010. In the context of the global discussion on New gTLDs, the African ICANN participants wanted to formulate and publish an African position on new gTLDs reflecting the positions of all African stakeholders.

The first joint meeting, held at the ICANN Brussels meeting in June 2010 proved to be a great success and led to a second joint event at the ICANN Cartagena meeting in December 2010. In addition to a follow up on new gTLD developments, the second meeting focused on ways to strenghten ICANN's volunteer model.

The Third joint meeting will be held at the ICANN San Francisco meeting in March 2011. Its key topic will be the possible revision of ICANN's geographic regions.

Joint AFRALO/AfrICANN Meetings

Cartagena 7 December 2010

Brussels 22 June 2010In October 2010, AFRALO and the members of the AfrICANN caucus decided to prepare another joint event at the ICANN Cartagena meeting in December 2010.

Joint AFRALO/AfrICANN WG Statements

AFRALO/AfrICANN

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Preparatory Meetings:

• 26 November 2010
• 15 November 2010
• 04 November 2010
• 16 June 2010
• 11 June 2010
• 28 May 2010

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Draft Programme of the Joint AFRALO-AfrICANN Meeting in Cartagena

Moderateur: Fatimata Seye Sylla
Rapporteur: Dave Kissoondoyal
DRAFT Agenda:

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1. Presentation by Avri Doria and Evan Leibovitch, Co-Chairs of the Joint SO/AC Working group on support for new gTLD applicants

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Milestones, Members and Mission of WG to prepare the joint AFRALO/AfrICANN meeting in Brussels

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