This email is an update on plans for the July ICANN meetings in Yokohama, Japan. For regularly updated details, please visit <http://www.icann.org/yokohama/>. The ICANN meetings in Yokohama will be free and open to any interested person. The meetings will generally focus on the following three policy areas: At Large membership elections for ICANN Director seats; the creation of new top-level domain (TLD) registries; and country-code top-level domain (ccTLD) delegation and administration policies.
- Schedule of meetings
The Yokohama ICANN meetings will include the ICANN Board meeting; the ICANN Public Forum; the Domain Name Supporting Organization (including the Names Council, the DNSO constituencies, and a General Assembly); and a number of working
groups and committees. The currently posted schedule is as follows:
12 July: ccTLD constituency of the DNSO
13 July: DNSO constituencies and working groups
14 July: DNSO Names Council and General Assembly
15 July: ICANN Public Forum; Evening reception
16 July: ICANN Board meeting
17 July: possible DNSO meetings
In addition, ICANN is working to organize an orientation session aimed at new participants in the ICANN process. Please check <http://www.icann.org/yokohama/> regularly for updates.
- Sponsorship
There are still several sponsorship opportunities available, including a reception, coffee breaks, and webcasting. Help support ICANN's free and open meeting philosophy! Please contact Andrew McLaughlin <ajm@icann.org> for further information.
- Visas, Preregistration, Hotels
Individuals planning on attending the ICANN meetings should immediately review the applicable visa requirements, as visas can be time-consuming to obtain. To determine your visa requirements, you should contact your local Japanese Consular Office or review the information at <http://www.mofa.go.jp/j_info/visit/visa/02.html>. If a visa is necessary, you should complete the form at
<http://mc-net.jtbcom.co.jp/icann/vif.pdf> and return it to the ICANN-Yokohama Travel Assistance Desk according to the instructions at the top of the form. Please fill out the form carefully and completely, as the information provided will be used in the preparation of the support documents necessary for your visa application. Because the application process often takes more than one month, it is important that you return the completed Visa Information Form as soon as possible. For more information about Japan's visa requirements, see <http://mc-net.jtbcom.co.jp/icann>.
If you plan to attend the ICANN meetings, please pre-register at <http://cyber.law.harvard.edu/icann/yokohama/preregistration/>.
Hotel rooms are disappearing rapidly, so make your reservations soon! Reservation and hotel information is posted at <http://www.icann.org/yokohama/#hotel>.
- ICANN Asia/Pacific Activities in July
In connection with the Yokohama meetings, ICANN's Board of Directors and senior staff will be present in the Asia/Pacific region. As such, there is an excellent opportunity for ICANN to build better ties with Asia/Pacific Internet communities. In that spirit, the ICANN senior staff has made a commitment to visit various economies in the region to the extent feasible in July.
Internet communities that are interested in hosting meetings with ICANN staff or Directors should indicate their interest by email to Andrew McLaughlin <ajm@icann.org> on or before 30th June. ICANN warmly invites all interested individuals in the Asia/Pacific Internet communities to attend its meetings in Yokohama, which are free and open to all!
ICANN