ICANN POLICY UPDATE | Volume 13, Issue 10 – November 2013 Issue
Special ICANN 48 Buenos Aires Meeting Edition
PDF Version [969 KB]
http://www.icann.org/en/resources/policy/update
CONTENTS:
Across ICANN
- Issues Currently Open for Public Comment
- Pilot Leadership Training Program Kicks-Off in Buenos Aires
ASO
ccNSO
- ccNSO Council - and Board Nomination Period Ended
- ccNSO Membership Continues to Grow
- ccTLDs to Discuss Proposals for Financial Contribution to ICANN
- ccNSO Framework of Interpretation Working Group Welcomes Your Comments
- ccNSO Working Group Shares Strategic Concerns With ICANN Board
- DNS Security and Stability Analysis Working Group Submits Final Report, Calls for Closure
GNSO
- GNSO Council Unanimously Supports Requirement for Thick WHOIS for all gTLD Registries
- RAA Privacy & Proxy Accreditation Services Issues PDP Launched
- GNSO Work Plans for Buenos Aires
At-Large
- At-Large Community Members Prepare for ICANN's Buenos Aires Meeting
- LACRALO Showcase and Cocktail Reception in Buenos Aires
- ALAC Submits Two Policy Advice Statements and Three Correspondence Communications in mid-October to early November
- At-Large Community Expands to 161 At-Large Structures
- ALAC Supports 2014 Brazil Summit and Montevideo Summit
GAC
RSSAC
Read in Your Preferred Language
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ICANN Policy Update statement of purpose
Send questions, comments and suggestions to: policy-staff@icann.org.
Policy Supporting Organizations and Advisory Committees
| Address Supporting Organization | ASO |
| Country Code Names Supporting Organization | ccNSO |
| Generic Names Supporting Organization | GNSO |
| At-Large Advisory Committee | ALAC |
| Governmental Advisory Committee | GAC |
| Root Server System Advisory Committee | RSSAC |
| Security and Stability Advisory Committee | SSAC |
Across ICANN
1. Issues Currently Open for Public Comment
Numerous public comment periods are currently open on issues of interest to the ICANN community. Act now to share your views on such topics as:
Second Accountability and Transparency Review Team (ATRT 2) Draft Report & Recommendations Community participation is essential to the success of the review, and all input will be carefully considered. Comment period closes 22 November; reply period closes 13 December.
Proposed Bylaws Changes Regarding the Technical Liaison Group. Should we increase availability of technical advice to the Board as well as the effectiveness of the Technical Liaison Group as set forth in the Bylaws? We want to hear your thoughts. Comment period ends 29 November; reply period closes 20 December.
ccNSO FoI WG's Interim Report on "Revocation" Find out how you can contribute to initial interpretations of current policy and guidelines related to "Revocation," which is defined as re-delegations undertaken without the consent of the ccTLD manager. Comment period ends 20 December; reply period ends 31 January 2014.
ICANN's Draft Vision, Mission & Focus Areas for a Five-Year Strategic Plan ICANN is seeking general feedback, as well as specific input on measurable outcomes for the organization's Focus Area Goals. Community feedback will help inform additional strategic considerations that are not yet included, but will be elements of ICANN's final strategic and/or operating plans and budget. Comment period ends 31 January 2014; no reply period posted.
For the full list of issues open for public comment, plus recently closed and archived public comment forums, visit the Public Comment web page.
The staff also populates a web page to help preview potential "upcoming" public comment opportunities. This page - "Public Comments - Upcoming" page – provides information about potential future public comment opportunities. The page is updated after every ICANN Public Meeting to help individuals and the community to set priorities and plan their future workloads.
2. Pilot Leadership Training Program Kicks-Off in Buenos Aires
Recent Developments
The 48th ICANN Public Meeting in Buenos Aires will see the start of a new pilot Leadership Training Program. The program will welcome existing and new leaders of ICANN's Advisory Committees and Supporting Organizations (ACs and SOs) in a four-part course, consisting of:
- Online Learning Platform – Program participants will be the first to use the new ICANN Online Learning Platform with a training module developed especially for the program.
- Facilitation Skills Training (13-14 November) – When participants are not in the plenary room learning and trying out new meeting frameworks and models, they will be in breakout rooms with smaller groups practicing meeting management skills.
- Orientation Training (15-16 November) – This course has been organized fully by the community and offers incoming and current leaders an opportunity to get to know more about all AC/SOs as well as many current ICANN issues.
- Feedback Session (20 November) – This session will serve as a feedback opportunity for all Leadership Program participants.
Background
The concept of an ICANN Academy was initiated by the At-Large Community and then expanded to include all AC/SOs of the entire ICANN community.
This "pilot" four-part leadership program will enable ICANN to test the range, format and effectiveness of training courses designed to help AC/SOs leaders to more effectively manage inputs and contributions to ICANN's policy development efforts within their communities.
More Information
Contacts
Sandra Hoferichter, Community Contact
David Kolb, Facilitation Skills Course Contact
Heidi Ullrich, Director, At-Large
ASO
3. Address Council Elections
The ASO Address Council is in the midst of its annual election season. Filiz Yilmaz has been elected to replace Hans-Petter Holen for the RIPE region. Jorge Villa will be joining the ASO on behalf of LACNIC – replacing Alejandro Guzman. Tomohiro Fujisaki and Jason Schiller have been re-elected for the APNIC and ARIN regions, respectively. AFRINIC will have elections later this month in Côte d'Ivoire.
4. ASO Buenos Aires Activities
Though the ASO Address Council is not formally meeting in Buenos Aires, several members of the AC will be in attendance at ICANN 48. Sessions with the Board, ATRT2, and ALAC are planned. ASO members will also participate in the SO/AC High-Interest Topic session and the IPv6 Workshop on Monday.
5. NRO 10th Anniversary
The ASO is also marking the 10th anniversary of the Number Resources Organization (NRO). The NRO was created as a visible framework for the cooperative joint activities of the five Regional Internet Registries (RIRs).
ccNSO
6. ccNSO Council - and Board Nomination Period Ended
Recent Developments
On 4th November, the period for nominations to the ccNSO Council and ICANN Board position number 11 ended.
For the Council, following nominations were received:
African region:
Souleymane Oumtanaga, .CI
Chris Tshimanga, .CD
Asia-Pacific Region:
Hiro Hotta, .JP
Europe:
Roelof Meijer, .JP
Nigel Roberts, .GG/.JE
Latin American and Caribbean:
Victor Abboud, .EC
North America:
No valid nomination at time of writing
For the Board, following nomination was received:
Chris Disspain, .AU
Next Steps
An extended nomination period for the North American region needs to take place. All candidates will attend a Q&A session during the Buenos Aires meeting, which gives the membership a chance to ask them direct questions.
For the African and European region, elections will be held.
No elections are needed for the ICANN Board selection, however, Chris Disspain will still be available to the Q&A session to reply to the members questions.
Background
Every year, nominations to the Council are held, one candidate per region needs to be selected.
The ccNSO is also appointing two ICANN Board directors – seat numbers 11 and 12, currently held by Chris Disspain and Mike Silber. This means that Chris Disspain will now take a seat for a second term.
More Information
Staff Contact
Gabriella Schittek, ccNSO Secretariat
7. ccNSO Membership Continues to Grow
Recent developments
.KI (Kiribati), .TN (Tunisia) and .BJ (Benin) recently joined the ccNSO
Background
The ccTLD Operators of .KI, .TN and .BJ all recently joined the ccNSO. The ccNSO now counts 142 members.
More Information
- Announcement: .KI & .TN join the ccNSO
- Announcement: .BJ joins the ccNSO
- List of ccNSO members
- Membership growth 2003-November 2013 [PDF, 114 KB]
Staff Contact
Gabriella Schittek, ccNSO Secretariat
8. ccTLDs to Discuss Proposals for Financial Contribution to ICANN
Recent Developments
The ccNSO Finance Working Group is finalizing its report on the financial contributions of ccTLDs to ICANN. The purpose of this report is to inform the community about a reasonable and acceptable method of attributing ICANN's expenses (value exchange model) and a banded, voluntary model for ccTLDs to calculate their contribution to ICANN. The "value exchange model" was developed in close collaboration with ICANN staff.
Next Steps
After formal adoption of its Final Report at its meeting in Buenos Aires, the ccNSO Finance WG will present a new Guideline for Financial Contribution of ccTLD's to ICANN to the ccTLD community, for final discussion and endorsement. If endorsed by the community present, it will be submitted to the ccNSO Council for formal adoption. If adopted, it will end a longstanding and intense discussion between the ccTLD community and ICANN. The new Guideline will replace the 2007 Guideline.
Background
The ccNSO Finance WG was created in November 2010 with its members and chair being named early in 2011. The Financial WG's mandate included:
"a. to discuss with ICANN (i.) the amounts attributed to ccTLDs and (ii) the underlying attribution method(s) to attempt to establish which of those amounts and method(s) are reasonable and may be acceptable to the ccTLD community
b. to discuss with ICANN a methodology for individual ccTLDs to use to calculate a fair and equitable voluntary financial contribution to ICANN and propose such a methodology to the ccTLD community.
Once its final report is adopted by the ccNSO Council, the Working Group will be closed.
More Information
- Finance Working Group webinar, organized to present its results to date to the community.
- The Report of the Finance Working Group
Staff Contact
Bart Boswinkel, ccNSO Senior Policy Advisor
9. ccNSO Framework of Interpretation Working Group Welcomes Your Comments
Recent Developments
The ccNSO Framework of Interpretation Working Group (FoI WG) has posted its Interim Report on "revocation" of a ccTLD for public comment. The Interim Report contains the interpretations of current policy and guidelines related to "Revocation", which is defined as re-delegations undertaken without the consent of the ccTLD manager. "Revocation" refers to the process by which the IANA Operator rescinds responsibility for management of a ccTLD from a manager.
Next Steps
The recommendations developed by the WG will be discussed with the community in Buenos Aires. The WG will closely review all submitted comments to determine, at its reasonable discretion, how to modify its report. According to its charter the WG is not obligated to include all comments made during the comment period, nor is it obligated to include all comments submitted by any one individual or organization.
The Working Group expects to formally publish its Final Report prior to the next ICANN meeting in London (June 2014).
Background
The FoI WG was created by the ccNSO Council following the recommendations of the Delegation and Re-delegation Working Group (DRD WG): Recommendation 2: Delegation and re-delegation of ccTLDs
The DRDWG recommends that, as a first step, the ccNSO Council undertakes the development of a "Framework of Interpretation" for the delegation and re-delegation of ccTLDs. This framework should provide a clear guide to IANA and the ICANN Board on interpretations of the current policies, guidelines and procedures relating to the delegation and re-delegation of ccTLDs.
The results of the use of such a Framework of Interpretation should be formally monitored and evaluated by the ccNSO Council after a pre-determined period. If the results of this evaluation indicate that the Framework of Interpretation failed to provide logical and predictable outcomes in ICANN decision making, the ccNSO Council should then launch PDPs on the delegation and re-delegation of ccTLDs.
The Final Report of the DRD WG identified the following issues pertaining to "Unconsented Redelegations":
No procedure for re-delegation of a ccTLD without the consent of the incumbent operator. RFC1591 nor ICP1 discuss the re-delegation of a ccTLD without the consent of the incumbent operator. Instead both of these documents discuss the revocation of a delegation by IANA, for cause, followed by a re-delegation to a new operator. This is somewhat confusing given that in these types of situations the revocation has never caused a ccTLD to be removed from the root prior to being delegated to a new operator & thus trying to ensure continued resolution of the domains registered in the relevant ccTLD. This further illustrates some of the issues surrounding the re-delegation of ccTLDs without the consent of the incumbent operator.
The objective of the FoI WG is to develop and propose a "Framework of Interpretation" for the delegation and re-delegation of ccTLDs. This framework should provide a clear guide to IANA functions manager and the ICANN Board on interpretation of the current Policy Statements.
More Information
- More information on the Framework of Interpretation Working Group
- Public Forum
- The progress report of the Working Group (Durban meeting- Buenos Aires meeting)
Staff Contact
Bart Boswinkel, ccNSO Senior Policy Advisor
10. ccNSO Working Group Shares Strategic Concerns With ICANN Board
Recent Developments
The chair of the ccNSO Strategic and Operational Planning Working Group (SOP WG) transmitted a letter to the chair of the ICANN Board and CEO of ICANN, to share the concerns of the Working Group with the current ICANN Strategic and Operational & Budgetary planning processes. At the heart of the concerns is what the members of the WG believe is the absence of a responsive and structured planning process and the lack of appropriate responses from ICANN to the feedback the SOP WG has provided over the years.
Background
The goal of the Working Group is to coordinate and organize participation of ccTLD managers in ICANN's Strategic and Operational planning processes. The scope of activities of the Working Group is to do whatever it deems relevant and necessary to facilitate and improve participation of ccTLD managers in ICANN's planning processes. The Working Group does not act as a representative of the ccNSO Council, or individual ccTLD managers collectively or individually, unless they have been explicitly asked to do so.
More Information
- SOP-WG letter [PDF, 228 KB]
- More information on the Strategic and Operational Planning Working Group and its submissions
Staff Contact
Bart Boswinkel , ccNSO Senior Policy Advisor
11. DNS Security and Stability Analysis Working Group Submits Final Report, Calls for Closure
Recent Developments
The DSSA Working Group Final Report Phase 1, which was published in August 2012, has been upgraded to the Final Report of the Working Group (WG). The co-chairs of the WG will submit it to all participating Supporting Organizations (ASO, represented by the NRO for this matter, ccNSO, and GNSO) and Advisory Committee (ALAC) for adoption and request closure of the WG.
Background
The DSSA WG was created in December 2010, with participation of the ALAC, the NRO, in this instance performing the role of the ASO, ccNSO and GNSO. The objective of the DSSA Working Group is to draw upon the collective expertise of the participating SOs and ACs, solicit expert input and advice and report to the respective participating SOs and ACs on the actual level, frequency and severity of threats to the DNS.
More Information
- The Final Report
- More information on the DNS Security & Stability Analysis
Staff Contact
Bart Boswinkel, ccNSO Senior Policy Advisor
GNSO
12. GNSO Council Unanimously Supports Requirement for Thick WHOIS for all gTLD Registries
At a Glance
At its meeting on 31 October, the GNSO Council unanimously adopted the recommendations of the Thick WHOIS PDP Working Group to require thick WHOIS for all gTLD Registries.
Recent Developments and Next Steps
Following its review of the comments received on its Initial Report [PDF, 1.2 MB], the WG submitted its Final Report [PDF, 1.23 MB] to the GNSO Council on 21 October for consideration. The Final Report recommends that:
- The provision of thick WHOIS services, with a consistent labeling and display as per the model outlined in specification three of the 2013 RAA, should become a requirement for all gTLD registries, both existing and future
In addition, the Final Report [PDF, 1.23 MB] recommends that in relation to the implementation of this recommendation:
- The subsequent public comment forum (prior to Board consideration) and the notification by the ICANN Board to the GAC, specifically request input on any considerations related to the transition from thin to thick WHOIS that would need to be taken into account as part of the implementation process.
- As part of the implementation process, a legal review of law applicable to the transition of data from a thin to thick model that has not already been considered in the Expert Working Group memo is undertaken.
- Due consideration is given to potential privacy issues that may arise from the discussions of the transition from thin to thick WHOIS, including, for example, guidance on how the long-standing contractual requirement that registrars use to give notice, and obtain consent, from each registrant for uses of any personally identifiable data submitted by the registrant should apply to registrations involved in the transition.
- Should any privacy issues emerge from these transition discussions that were not anticipated by the WG and which would require additional policy consideration, the Implementation Review Team is expected to notify the GNSO Council of these so that appropriate action can be taken.
Following its review of the Final Report [PDF, 1.23 MB] and its recommendations, the GNSO Council unanimously adopted the recommendations at its meeting on 31 October. A public comment forum will now be opened prior to Board consideration of these recommendations.
Background
Registries and registrars satisfy their WHOIS obligations using two different service models. These models are often characterized as "thin" and "thick" WHOIS registries, as they manage relevant datasets differently. One set of data is associated with the domain name, and a second set of data is associated with the registrant of the domain name. A thin registry only stores and manages the information associated with the domain name. With thin registries, registrars manage the second set of data associated with the registrant of the domain and provide it via their own WHOIS services. .COM and .NET are examples of thin registries. Thick registries maintain and provide both sets of data (domain name and registrant) via WHOIS .INFO and .BIZ are examples of thick registries.
In its Final Report on 30 May 2011 the IRTP B Working Group recommended that the GNSO seek an Issue Report on the requirement of thick WHOIS for all incumbent gTLDs, which the GNSO Council then requested at its meeting on 22 September 2011. The PDP was subsequently initiated on 4 March 2012 and the Working Group had its inaugural session in November 2012.
The Working Group was tasked to provide the GNSO Council with a policy recommendation regarding the use of thick WHOIS by all gTLD registries. In its deliberations, the group analyzed the relevant issues laid out in its Charter, including: response consistency; stability; access to WHOIS data; impact on privacy and data protection; cost implications; synchronization / migration; authoritativeness; competition in registry services; existing WHOIS applications; data escrow, and registrar Port 43 WHOIS requirements (see section 5 of the Initial Report).
More Information
- Final Report [PDF, 1.23 MB]
- Initial Report [PDF, 1.2 MB]
- Working Group Wiki Space
Staff Contact
- Marika Konings, Senior Policy Director
13. RAA Privacy & Proxy Accreditation Services Issues PDP Launched
At a Glance
On 31 October, the GNSO Council approved the charter for a Working Group that would develop recommendations relating to the accreditation and provision of privacy and proxy services for gTLD domain name registrations. A call for volunteers has been issued and the WG is expected to commence its work at the ICANN meeting in Buenos Aires in mid-November.
Recent Developments & Next Steps
In June 2013 the ICANN Board approved a new form of the Registrar Accreditation Agreement - the contract that governs the relationship between ICANN and its accredited registrars. In September 2013 ICANN staff published a paper identifying the remaining issues that were not addressed during the RAA negotiations, primarily issues relating to the accreditation and provision of privacy and proxy services in the WHOIS system. At the request of the GNSO Council, ICANN staff also distributed a draft charter for the proposed WG for review by the Council. Following several discussions about the issue and the draft charter, the GNSO Council voted to adopt the charter at its meeting on 31 October.
The WG will hold its first meeting at the ICANN meeting in Buenos Aires, on Thursday 21 November at 08:00 local time. Remote participation facilities will be made available for those interested community members unable to join the meeting in person. Community members are also invited to join the WG by sending an email to the GNSO Secretariat.
Background
In October 2011 the ICANN Board initiated negotiations with the Registrars Stakeholder Group for a new form of RAA, and simultaneously requested an Issue Report from the GNSO on remaining issues not covered by the negotiations that would be suited to a Policy Development Process, to be conducted as soon as possible after the conclusion of negotiations. Related community work (including a joint GNSO-ALAC Drafting Team) had identified a number of topics as High and Medium Priority Topics for the RAA negotiations. Of these, ICANN staff identified two – one relating to certain registrar responsibilities in proceedings under the Uniform Dispute Resolution Policy and the other relating to privacy and proxy services, including accreditation and Reveal/Relay procedures – as not having been fully addressed in the RAA negotiations, in a staff paper published to the GNSO in September 2013, three months after the ICANN Board formally approved the new 2013 RAA. The first issue has been separately addressed in a PDP, now concluded, when the Final Report was adopted by the GNSO Council in September 2013.
The development of an accreditation program for privacy and proxy service providers by ICANN is taking place in the context of other, broader reviews of the current Whois system for gTLD registration data. Other related ICANN work that may inform the deliberations of the WG include the ongoing work of the Expert Working Group that is examining the overall purpose of a gTLD registration data directory service, with an Initial Report published in June 2013. Previously, as part of its Affirmation of Commitments, ICANN had also convened a Whois Review Team whose Final Report was published in May 2012. Within the GNSO, several studies on different aspects of the Whois system had also been commissioned previously. One, on privacy and proxy abuse, has recently been concluded and the results of the study published for public comment in September 2013. It is expected that the WG will find this study and other relevant work from other parts of the ICANN community useful in its work.
The new 2013 RAA contains a temporary specification on privacy and proxy services that will govern ICANN-accredited registrars' obligations with respect to the provision of such services until either 1 January 2017 or the implementation of a privacy and proxy accreditation program by ICANN (whichever is earlier). The new working group will be aiming to complete its work before that date.
For More Information
- Background Documents on RAA Privacy & Proxy Services Accreditation issues PDP
- GNSO WHOIS Studies
- RAA Specification on Privacy & Proxy Services
Staff Contact
Mary Wong, ICANN Senior Policy Director
14. GNSO Work Plans for Buenos Aires
As always, the GNSO is looking forward to a busy agenda during the upcoming 48 ICANN Public Meeting in Buenos Aires. Overall, the GNSO community will run no fewer than 29 open sessions. In addition to this, the GNSO Council will meet for two full days on the Saturday and Sunday preceding the ICANN meeting to prepare itself for the week ahead. This weekend work will include the traditional reporting of the various PDP and non-PDP Working Groups, the meeting of the Council with the ICANN Board, the ICANN CEO, as well as face-to-face meetings with the SSAC and the GAC.
Following the traditional ICANN Opening Session in the morning, Monday afternoon will feature the first of the GNSO's weekly meetings. The Joint ccNSO/GNSO Working IDN Group is up first, followed by a meeting for the PDP Working Group on Protection of International Governmental Organization and International Non-Governmental Organization Identifiers in all gTLDs. The meeting of the ccNSO and GNSO Councils will mark the conclusion of this first day.
Tuesday, 19 November is traditionally the GNSO's Stakeholder Group (SG) and Constituency (C) day. In line with previous ICANN meetings, the various SG/Cs will meet with their membership and interested observers. Throughout the day, the ICANN Board will meet separately with the Registrar and Registry Stakeholder Groups, as well as the Commercial and Non-Commercial Stakeholder Groups to discuss issues relevant to the individual SGs. All four SGs-Board meetings will be open to all.
Wednesday, 20 November marks another busy day for the GNSO community. The morning will feature a meeting of the New gTLD Applicants Group (NTAG), providing NTAG members, and new gTLD Applicants wishing to become an NTAG member, the opportunity to discuss the current status of the New gTLD Program, review current NTAG activities and address any outstanding New gTLD issues among themselves and with ICANN staff.
The GNSO Council meeting during ICANN 48 will take place on Wednesday afternoon. It is open to all - including remote participants. For access to the Adobe Connect room, please consult the meeting agenda, which, similarly to the tabled motions, is available online. The Council meeting will include the seating of this year's new GNSO Councilors and two new Vice-Chairs and the annual election of the Chair.
Current GNSO Council Chair, Jonathan Robinson, is running for re-election unopposed. The Contracted Party House has selected Volker Greimann as its new Vice Chair, while the Non-Contracted Party House has selected David Cake. Finally, the Council will include six new Counselors: James Bladel (RrSG), Avri Dori (NCSG), Amr Elsadr (NCSG), Mikey O'Connor (ISPC), Don Reed (NomCom Appointee), and Gabriela Szlak (BC) in addition to the 15 Council members that have been either re-elected or whose terms have not ended yet.
The face-to-face meeting of the non-PDP Working Group on Policy and Implementation will close the GNSO sessions on Wednesday. This Working Group meeting will update the community on the Working Group's work to date and to further progress in its deliberations. The WG's tasks and the agenda for this meeting can be found here.
The last day of ICANN 48 will feature the GNSO RAA Remaining Issue PDP Working Group meeting first thing on Thursday morning. The Working Group has been convened to develop recommendations regarding the privacy and proxy services accreditation program. The GNSO Wrap-Up session also takes place on Thursday morning. This session, marking the conclusion of the week's GNSO-related meetings, is traditionally the time when the Council discusses developments from the entire ICANN meeting and plans ahead for the coming months.
Following Thursday's concluding Public Forum, the GNSO Council members will not quite yet board their planes home. Rather, Councilors are staying on an extra day in Argentina to take part in an all-day working session on Friday. All Councilors will come together to provide new members with information and support to familiarize them with the work of the Council. In addition, this gathering will be used to prepare the entire Council for its work during the forthcoming year. GNSO Council Chair Jonathan Robinson explains in this video excerpt in more detail the rationale behind this new initiative.
Staff Contact
Mary Wong, ICANN Senior Policy Director
At-Large
15. At-Large Community Members Prepare for ICANN's Buenos Aires Meeting
At a Glance
Representatives from the At-Large community will hold 23 meetings during the 48th ICANN Public Meeting in Buenos Aires, Argentina. These meetings include traditional policy meetings, At-Large Working Group Meetings, and meetings with the ICANN Board of Directors. Six new ALAC members will also be taking their seats at the end ICANN's Annual General Meeting.
In addition, the At-Large community members will also participate actively in many of the public meetings taking place during the ICANN meeting in Buenos Aires either in person or using remote participation tools.
Recent Developments
The ALAC will be busy in policy development activities in 23 At-Large meetings, which include:
- An ALAC and Regional Leadership Meeting
- An At-Large Metrics Sub-Committee Meeting
- An At-Large Future Challenges Working Group Meeting
- An ALAC and NCSG Meeting
- An At-Large Regulatory Issues Group Meeting
- A NARALO Monthly Meeting
- A LACRALO Showcase and Reception
- ALAC Meeting with the ICANN Board
- Two ALAC Policy Discussion Sessions – Part 1 and Part 2
- A Joint ALAC and ccNSO Meeting
- A LACRALO Monthly Meeting
- An ALAC Meeting with the ATRT2
- An APRALO Monthly Meeting
- An Academy Working Group Session
- An At-Large IDN Working Group
- A Joint ATLAS II, Capacity Building WG and Regional Secretariats Meeting – Part 1
- An AFRALO / AFRICANN Joint Meeting
- A Joint ATLAS II OC, Cap. Building WG, Academy WG & Reg. Secretariat Leaders – Part 2
- An At-Large New gTLD Working Group Meeting
- An ALAC & Regional Leadership Wrap-Up Meeting
- An ALAC Leadership Team Meeting
More Information
- More information on At-Large Meetings scheduled to take place during ICANN's 48th Public Meeting in Buenos Aires, including agendas in English, Spanish, French and Portuguese and remote participation instructions, is available on the At-Large Buenos Aires Meeting Agendas Workspace.
Staff Contact
16. LACRALO Showcase and Cocktail Reception in Buenos Aires
At a Glance
LACRALO will be hosting a Showcase and Cocktail Reception on Monday, 18th November at 18:00-19:30 for the ALS representatives in Latin America and the Caribbean as well as civil society attending the ICANN's 48th Public Meeting.
This meeting's Showcase theme is "An inclusive internet with active participation of the individual Internet users." This event will provide an opportunity for LACRALO ALSes to draw the attention of civil society in Latin America and the Caribbean to their activities within ICANN and will serve to promote their involvement and participation in At-Large and in ICANN Policy Development efforts.
Background
The Latin American and Caribbean Regional At-Large Organization (LACRALO) includes 43 national and civil society groups in 17 countries in the Latin America and the Caribbean region.
The Showcase will include addresses by ICANN's President and Chief Executive Officer CEO, Fadi Chehadé; Chairman of the Board, Steve Crocker; ALAC's Chair, Olivier Crépin-Leblond; the Board member elected by At-Large, Sebastian Bachollet; LACRALO ALAC members Natalia Enciso, and Carlton Samuels, and LACRALO's Chair, Jose Arce. The event will include a folkloric dancing performance and will conclude with a Cocktail Reception sponsored by ICANN, Google and NIC Argentina.
More Information
- The LACRALO meeting can be viewed at LACRALO Showcase.
Staff Contact
Silvia Vivanco, Manager Regional Affairs
17. ALAC Submits Two Policy Advice Statements and Three Correspondence Communications in mid-October to early November
At a Glance
The ALAC continues its high rate of preparing statements in response to ICANN public comment periods as well as comments and communications. Between mid-October and early-November, the ALAC submitted two Policy Advice Statements and three Correspondence Communications. The ALAC is currently developing several additional policy advice statements.
Recent Developments
The two ALAC Policy Advice Statements and three Correspondence Communications submitted between mid-October and early November are summarized below.
ALAC Statement on the Study on WHOIS Privacy & Proxy Service Abuse
- While the study acknowledges the many legitimate uses of privacy and proxy services, it points to the use of such services to hide the identity of the perpetrator engaged in the misuse of malicious use of the Internet.
- The 2013 changes to the RAA included a framework for an accreditation scheme for privacy and proxy services. However, the important elements of such a scheme, particularly the balance between the legitimate needs for privacy, data security and law enforcement, are still to be developed.
- The ALAC generally welcomed the many changes to the RAA passed by the Board in 2013. However, the ALAC made two recommendations, the importance of which are underlined by this study.
- The ALAC supports this study and the clear support it provides for the development of a strong privacy and proxy service provider accreditation scheme and for accuracy and verification requirements covering all WHOIS information, including those who use privacy and proxy service providers.
ALAC Statement on the Draft Final Report on Protection of IGO and INGO Identifiers in All gTLDs
- The ALAC is particularly concerned that granting blocking-level protections may prohibit other reasonable uses of the same strings and the ALAC is not satisfied that the exception procedures outlined in the report would be effective.
-
This being the case, it may be important to consider the principles that guided the ALAC, in our participation in the activities that led to this report, and that the ALAC believes should guide ICANN in considering any special protections.
- ICANN should grant special protection to organizations that further the public interest and in particular, those with a strong track record of humanitarian activities. However, such protections should only be granted where there is a history or reasonable expectation that the lack of protections would lead to the misrepresentation of the organizations, fraud, deliberate confusion, or other malfeasance.
- Such protections, when granted, should not unreasonably impinge on the ability of others with a valid right to use the protected string, from registering such names for uses which do not negatively impact the protected organization nor use to the protected name with the intent to deceive users. Formal trademarks should not be necessary to demonstrate such a right.
- The procedures used to grant the protection exceptions must be both inexpensive and fast.
- No top-level protections are necessary. Existing or new objection processes are sufficient.
ALAC Correspondence on the ICANN/SO-AC LEADERS Brainstorming Collaboration
- This letter was sent by Olivier Crépin-Leblond, Chair of the ALAC, to David Olive, Vice President, Policy Development.
- The letter pertains to the ICANN/SO-AC Leaders Brainstorming Collaboration request that was sent out to all SO/AC Leaders.
At-Large Letter to Fadi Chehadé Regarding the Brazil Summit
- This letter was sent by Olivier Crépin-Leblond, Chair of the ALAC, to Fadi Chehadé, ICANN President and CEO.
- The letter pertains to the announcement by Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff and Fadi Chehadé of a major summit of government, civil society, academia and business to take place in Rio de Janeiro in 2014.
- This letter was sent by Olivier Crépin-Leblond, Chair of the ALAC, on behalf of the ALAC Leadership Team (ALT – formerly known as the ALAC Executive Committee).
- This letter was sent in response to the reply sent by Cherine Chalaby, ICANN Board Member, on behalf of the ICANN Board's New gTLD Program Committee regarding the inclusion of Community Members in the Community Priority Evaluation (CPE) Panels, which are or have been established by the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU).
More Information
Staff Contact
Matt Ashtiani, Policy Specialist
18. At-Large Community Expands to 161 At-Large Structures
At a Glance
The ALAC has certified two organizations as At-Large Structures (ALSes): ISOC Nigeria and ISOC Somalia. These two new ALSes expand the regional diversity of the At-Large community, which represents thousands of individual Internet end-users. With the addition of these two new organizations, the number of accredited ALSes now totals 161.
Recent Developments
The ALAC has voted for the certification of ISOC Nigeria and ISOC Somalia as At-Large Structures ALSes. The certification process included due diligence carried out by ICANN staff and regional advice provided by African Regional At-Large Organization (AFRALO).
Additional information on the new At-Large Structures:
ISOC Nigeria is located in Port Harcourt, Nigeria. The mission of ISOC Nigeria includes, among others, to facilitate and support the technical evolution of the Internet as a research and education infrastructure, and to stimulate the involvement of the Scientific Community, Industry, Government and other sectors of human endeavor in the evolution of the Internet. This organization will be an ALS within AFRALO.
ISOC Somalia is located in Mogadishu, Somalia. The mission purpose of ISOC Somalia is to seek the generation of ideas and cooperation towards the growth and progress of the Internet and its applications among the Somali ICT community, with a focus on the localization of these efforts while also contributing to the larger goals of the Internet Society. This organization will be an ALS within AFRALO.
Background
One of the strengths of the At-Large community is that it incorporates the views of a set of globally diverse, Internet end-user organizations, or ALSes, organized within five RALOs. The views of these grassroots organizations are collected through an internal, bottom-up, consensus-driven policy development process and find representation in the official documents of the ALAC.
More Information
- A complete list of certified and pending ALSes
- Statistical information on global ALS representation
- Global map of certified ALSes
- Information on how to join At-Large
- ICANN At-Large web site
Staff Contact
Silvia Vivanco, Manager, At-Large Regional Affairs
19. ALAC Supports 2014 Brazil Summit and Montevideo Summit
At a Glance
On 19 October 2013 the ALAC sent ICANN President and CEO, Fadi Chehadé,a letter supporting the Brazil Summit planned for April 2014 as announced by Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff as well as the recent Montevideo Statement signed by Internet leaders. The ALAC congratulated Mr. Chehadé on acting on the recommendations offered in the 2012 ALAC R3 White Paper: "Making ICANN Relevant, Responsive and Respected".
Recent Developments
The ALAC noted its full support of the planned Brazil Summit planned for 2014 as well as the Montevideo Statement. The ALAC informed ICANN President and CEO, Fadi Chehadé, that the global At‐Large community looks forward to actively contributing to the Summit and offered its help and support in creating a truly diverse, inclusive and purposeful event.
More Information
- The ALAC Letter to Fadi Chehadé Regarding the Brazil Summit
- The ALAC R3 White Paper: "Making ICANN Relevant, Responsive and Respected"
- Montevideo Statement on the Future of Internet Cooperation
Staff Contact
GAC
20. GAC Prepares for Buenos Aires Meeting
At a Glance
At the upcoming ICANN Public Meeting in Buenos Aires, the GAC will be meeting face-to-face in order to discuss public policy issues related to ongoing ICANN work areas. The GAC will be focused on, among other topics, implementation of new gTLD safeguard advice issued in Beijing, as well as discussions relating to the draft ATRT2 recommendations. The GAC will be meeting with the ICANN Board, as well as other constituencies throughout the week.
Background
ICANN receives input from governments through the GAC. The GAC's key role is to provide advice to ICANN on issues of public policy, and especially where there may be an interaction between ICANN's activities or policies and national laws or international agreements. The GAC usually meets three times a year in conjunction with ICANN Public Meetings, where it discusses issues with the ICANN Board and other ICANN Supporting Organizations, Advisory Committees and other groups. The GAC may also discuss issues between times with the Board either through face-to-face meetings or by teleconference.
More Information
Staff Contact
Olof Nordling, GAC Liaison
Jeannie Ellers, Manager, GAC Coordination
RSSAC
21. IETF 88 Meeting
The new RSSAC held a meeting at IETF 88 in Vancouver, Canada. Among the items for discussion was an update on Service Expectations of Root Servers (RSSAC 001) and Recommendations on Measurements of the Root Server System (RSSAC 002); these two documents are nearing publication. The Executive also established a Membership Committee to address remaining questions around the formation of the RSSAC Caucus.
22. Buenos Aires and Beyond
The RSSAC will not be formally meeting in Buenos Aires. Several members of the Executive will be in attendance and have planned sessions with the Board, GAC, and ATRT2. The RSSAC expects to conduct a full meeting at ICANN 49 in Singapore.
Staff Contact
Barbara Roseman, Policy Director and Technical Analyst
update-nov13-en.pdf [969 KB]