The GAC supports ICANN’s efforts to advance Universal Acceptance and welcomes the opportunity to provide comments on the Draft Guidelines for Advancing Universal Acceptance Adoption. GAC members have reviewed the draft guidelines and herein provide general comments in that regard.

GAC members recognize the importance of UA in supporting a more inclusive and multilingual Internet, and appreciate the development of guidance to assist stakeholders in improving UA readiness. The GAC also recognizes and appreciates the past efforts by ICANN and the DNS industry for standardizing and enabling IDNs at the level of the DNS root zone.

To enhance dissemination of the important suggestions put forward by the UA Expert Working Group, the GAC encourages ICANN org to consider developing a complementary, more concise and policy-oriented version of this document tailored to non-technical audiences and offering options for actions that match the roles and responsibilities of the various different stakeholders. 

The GAC would also welcome more information on the suggested implementation of the guidelines, especially how progress will be monitored and reported. Further, the GAC likes to know whether a process is envisaged for periodic review and update of these guidelines to reflect developments in Universal Acceptance adoption and the evolving needs of the Internet ecosystem.

The GAC further encourages consideration of how ICANN community structures, including SO/ACs, can contribute to advancing UA adoption, including through awareness-raising and capacity development efforts. In this context, the GAC also notes the value of initiatives such as UA Day in promoting awareness and encouraging continued support and expansion of such efforts. The GAC is grateful to ICANN org for this opportunity to share the committee’s perspective on the Draft Guidelines for Advancing UA Adoption and looks forward to contributing to potential future comment opportunities on this matter in the future.