Accountability and Transparency Reviews (ATRT)

Objectives of the ATRT Review

According to the Bylaws (Section 4.6 (b)), the ICANN Board ‘shall cause a periodic review of ICANN’s execution of its commitment to maintain and improve robust mechanisms for public input, accountability, and transparency so as to ensure that the outcomes of its decision-making reflect the public interest and are accountable to the Internet community (“Accountability and Transparency Review”).’

The Bylaws continue to explain that ‘the issues that the review team for the Accountability and Transparency Review (the “Accountability and Transparency Review Team”) may assess include, but are not limited to, the following:

1. assessing and improving Board governance which shall include an ongoing evaluation of Board performance, the Board selection process, the extent to which the Board’s composition and allocation structure meets ICANN’s present and future needs, and the appeal mechanisms for Board decisions contained in these Bylaws;
2. assessing the role and effectiveness of the GAC’s interaction with the Board and with the broader ICANN community, and making recommendations for improvement to ensure effective consideration by ICANN of GAC input on the public policy aspects of the technical coordination of the DNS;
3. assessing and improving the processes by which ICANN receives public input (including adequate explanation of decisions taken and the rationale thereof);
4. assessing the extent to which ICANN’s decisions are supported and accepted by the Internet community;
5. assessing the policy development process to facilitate enhanced cross community deliberations, and effective and timely policy development;
6. assessing and improving the Independent Review Process.’

For additional information and guidelines on the ATRT Review, please refer to the Bylaws, Section 4.6 (b).

Timeline of Review

• Prior reviews concluded in 2010 (ATRT1) and 2013 (ATRT2); the third review (ATRT3) launched in early 2017.
• Future reviews shall be conducted no less frequently than every five years measured from the date the previous Accountability and Transparency Review Team was convened. 

The graphic below illustrates phases and status of each review - a  indicates that all activities within a given phase have been completed.  The chart that follows the graphic provides further details of key activities and milestones within each phase – you can view these details by clicking on each of the phases in the graphic.  The table also contains links to relevant documents.

The graphic below illustrates phases and status of each review - a  indicates that all activities within a given phase have been completed.  The chart that follows the graphic provides further details of key activities and milestones within each phase – you can view these details by clicking on each of the phases in the graphic.  The table also contains links to relevant documents.

Highlights of implementation actions for ATRT1 include:

To provide better access to, and insight into, Board decisions, ICANN has incorporated the following into its standard operating procedures (SOP):

• Posts extensive Board meeting information (including briefing materials and expanded minutes).
• Publishes conditions for redaction of posted Board briefing materials.
• Provides translations into the six UN Languages of approved Board resolutions and minutes of Board meetings, which are posted within the 21-day timeframe.
• Posts rationales for Board actions and Board briefing materials.

To improve ICANN's "AoC Review Mechanisms for Board Decisions":

• The "Reconsideration Requests" webpage has been revamped so the public has a standard timeline, format, and explanations for all Reconsideration Requests (all part of SOP).
• Accountability Structures Expert Panel assessed ICANN's Reconsideration and Independent AoC Review Processes, resulting in Bylaws revisions to make the recommended improvements.
• The Board approved the Ombudsman framework and confirmed that it is consistent with international standards.

To improve the process for selecting ICANN Directors and address recommendations on Board composition:

• The Nominating Committee (NomCom) annually consults with the ICANN community on skillset requirements to consider when making appointments to leadership positions.
• The Board annually provides the NomCom with information on the Board's skillsets.
• New NomCom guidelines were approved by the Board and instituted, including internal procedures and a code of conduct.
• The Board approved compensation to voting Directors for their services to ICANN and revised the ICANN Conflicts of Interest Policy and ICANN Bylaws.

To help advance the effectiveness of the Governmental Advisory Committee (GAC) and its interaction with the Board:

• ICANN increased funding, multilingual access services, and staff resources to support the work of the GAC.
• The GAC has clarified what constitutes GAC advice.
• A formal, documented process for requesting and tracking GAC advice has been launched.
• Regional plans were developed for increasing involvement in ICANN.
• Board-GAC face-to-face interactions have been increased.

To improve the processes ICANN uses to gain public input and develop policy:

• A Language Services Policies and Procedures [PDF, 277 KB] has been implemented.
• ICANN's Public Comment Webpage was revamped to make it easier to find and understand opportunities for public comment, and a list of upcoming comment periods is posted here.
• A stratified, prioritized public notice & comment process was implemented, including a comment/reply cycle for each issue under public comment.  Additional improvements were implemented subsequently, in part to respond to the recommendations of ATRT2.

To help ensure ICANN staffing arrangements are appropriately multilingual, job postings and related forms have been updated and language training programs have been identified for ICANN staff.

Finally, in terms of overarching activities, resources required to implement the ATRT Recommendations were included in the FY12 Operating Plan and Budget [PDF, 2.51 MB], and proposed metrics and benchmarks are under development.

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