The proposed Transition Article (Section 27.6) represents a constructive step toward clarifying how ICANN manages its Specific Reviews. The current reliance on Board-level deferrals has functioned as a temporary mechanism to address the timing of outstanding reviews; however, it lacks a clear and transparent framework. By incorporating this practice into the Bylaws, with defined conditions and time limits, the proposal enhances predictability and accountability for all stakeholders.

This change is particularly beneficial for the ICANN community, as it provides greater clarity regarding when reviews may be paused, under what circumstances they may be extended, and how they will be restarted. Supporting Organizations, Advisory Committees, registries, registrars, civil society, and other stakeholders will benefit from a shared understanding of the status of Specific Reviews, thereby reducing uncertainty and aligning expectations across the community.

The proposal also recognizes that reviews are essential mechanisms for strengthening ICANN’s accountability, transparency, and responsiveness. By allowing time for ongoing community discussions on the Lifecycle of Reviews and related reform efforts, it creates space for broader and more meaningful participation, particularly for smaller or less-resourced organizations that may otherwise face challenges engaging under compressed timelines.

Another key benefit lies in how the proposal structures the resumption of reviews. Rather than a sudden return to a compressed schedule, it introduces a more staggered approach that distributes review activity over time. This supports the quality of each review and helps manage the workload of community volunteers, while ensuring that ICANN’s core review obligations remain visible and credible to the broader Internet community.

Finally, the Transition Article is consistent with ICANN’s established governance model. It reflects community-driven input, proceeds through the Standard Bylaws A.

The proposed Transition Article (Section 27.6) strengthens how ICANN manages Specific Reviews by introducing a clear, transparent framework with defined conditions and timelines. It enhances predictability and accountability, provides the community with greater clarity on the status and timing of reviews, and supports more inclusive participation; particularly for less-resourced stakeholders. By adopting a staggered approach to resuming reviews, the proposal also helps maintain review quality while managing volunteer workload. Overall, it represents a pragmatic, community-driven improvement aligned with ICANN’s multistakeholder governance model.