Draft_Final_Report_JAS_WG_v2.16-1.doc

Introduction

During the International ICANN Meeting in Nairobi, ICANN’s Board recognized the importance of an inclusive New gTLD Program and issued a Resolution (#20)[1|#_ftn1] requesting ICANN stakeholders…

"...to develop a sustainable approach to providing support to applicants

requiring assistance in applying for and operating new gTLDs."

In direct response to this Board Resolution, the Generic Names Supporting Organizations (GNSO) Council proposed a Joint Working Group composed of members of ICANN's Supporting Organizations (SOs) and Advisory Committees (ACs)[2|#_ftn2], to look into ways to develop support for new gTLDs applicants. The Working Group, also known as the JAS WG or WG (referred hereafter as WG), was formed in late April 2010.

[1|#_ftnref1] See original resolution here: http://www.icann.org/en/minutes/resolutions-12mar10-en.htm#20

[2|#_ftnref2] See here ICANN’s SOs and ACs: http://www.icann.org/en/structure

Working Group Activities:

On June 14 - posted a blog entitled “Call for Input: Support for New gTLD Applicants”[1|#_ftn1];
On June 16 - posted preliminary findings for public comment in six languages – “Joint SO/AC Working Group on New gTLD Applicant Support Snapshot”[2|#_ftn2] This public forum closed on 23 August, 2010;
On June 23 - during the ICANN Brussels Meeting, held a public workshop “Reducing Barriers to New gTLD Creation in Developing Regions”[3|#ftn3];_
On September 18 - submitted a second snapshot of the recommendations to the ICANN Board[4|#_ftn4] and the two chartering organizations, ALAC and GNSO.
[1|#_ftnref1] See blog here: http://blog.icann.org/2010/06/call-for-input-support-for-new-gtld-applicants/

[2|#_ftnref2] See: http://www.icann.org/en/public-comment/#wg-snapshot

[3|#_ftnref3] See: http://brussels38.icann.org/node/12503

[4|#_ftnref4] Second snapshot was produced for a Board special retreat focusing on the New gTLD Program.

JAS WG Charter (original Charter - April 2010)

Note: This Working Group has re initiated its activities in January 2011 under a new extended Charter

Objectives for the Working Group:

Preamble: The Joint SO/AC Working Group on New gTLD Applicant Support shall evaluate and propose recommendations regarding specific support to new gTLD applicants in justified cases. The working group expects to identify suitable criteria for provision of such support, to identify suitable support forms and to identify potential providers of such support. However, there is no presumption that the outcome will imply any particular governing structure. Accordingly, if the recommendations indicate that the preferred solutions are of a voluntary nature, the criteria and other provisions arrived at in line with the objectives below will solely serve as advice to the parties concerned. The objectives are not listed in any priority order. An overall consideration is that the outcomes of the WG should not lead to delays of the New gTLD process.

Objective 1: To identify suitable criteria that new gTLD applicants must fulfill to qualify for dedicated support. The criteria may be different for different types of support identified in line with Objective 2 and 3 below.

Objective 2: To identify how the application fee can be reduced and/or subsidized to accommodate applicants that fulfill appropriate criteria to qualify for this benefit, in keeping with the principle of full cost recovery of the application process costs.

Objective 3: To identify what kinds of support (e.g. technical assistance, organizational assistance, financial assistance, fee reduction) and support timelines (e.g. support for the application period only, continuous support) are appropriate for new gTLD applicants fulfilling identified criteria.

Objective 4: To identify potential providers of the identified kinds of support as well as appropriate mechanisms to enable support provisioning.

(Objective 5: To identify conditions and mechanisms required to minimize the risk of inappropriate access to support. Agreed within WG)

Operating Procedures for the Working Group

The Working Group will operate according to the interim working group guidelines set out in the Draft Working guidelines of 5 Feb 2010

Milestones

Dates	Milestones
29 Apr 2010	First conference call. Preparations for Chairs election, Charter drafting, work planning.
10 May 2010	Adoption of WG Charter by participating SOs and ACs.
5 May to 9 Jun 2010	Weekly conference calls. Drafting of Recommendation by WT1 and WT2.
Jun 14 2010	Posted a blog entitled “Call for Input: Support for New gTLD Applicants”
16-21 Jun 2010	Posting of "snapshot" on WG's plans & progress for public comment in English.
23 Jun - 23 Aug 2010	Posting of "snapshot" on WG's plans & progress for public comment in Spanish, French, Chinese, Arabic and Russian.
21-25 June 2010	ICANN Brussels Meeting - Community discussions Public Session: “Reducing Barriers to New gTLD Creation in Developing Regions”
10 Jul 2010	Bi-weekly conference calls for the development of Milestone Report taking into account public comments received and Board Sept 2010 Board Resolution.
11 Nov 2010	Milestone Report posted for consideration by the Board, Chartering Organizations and at-large Community.
9 Dec 2010	Cartagena ICANN Meeting Session: “Assisting gTLD Applicants from Developing Economies” http://cartagena39.icann.org/node/15499
Dec-Jan 2010	Charter renewal process by Chartering Organizations (ALAC and GNSO)