I'm excited to welcome you to Panama City, Panama, for ICANN62. This is the second time an ICANN meeting has been held in Central America, and the first time we've come to Panama.
ICANN meetings represent an important opportunity for our diverse stakeholders to meet face-to-face and discuss in person the policies that will shape the future of the Domain Name System (DNS). As outlined in the current meeting strategy, the second meeting of each year is a Policy Forum, which is shorter than the other two yearly meetings and doesn't include an Opening Ceremony or Public Forums. Instead, more time is dedicated to policy work and close interaction between ICANN's stakeholder groups.
This meeting comes at a critical time for ICANN's multistakeholder community, as it works together to navigate the implications the European Commission's General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) has on the future of the WHOIS system. I expect that a significant amount of time will be spent during the meeting's various sessions discussing and debating the best path forward.
Whether you're attending in person or remotely, I encourage you to download and read the latest ICANN org Report to the Board, which will provide you with an overview of the different projects each department is currently working on and the org's current priorities. I also recommend reading ICANN Board Chair Cherine Chalaby's preview of the Panama Board Workshop, which will be taking place right before ICANN62. I'll be working closely with the Executive Team to prepare for and support the Board's workshop, during which the Board will be tackling a staggering amount of issues and topics.
Many of you will be participating remotely, so I want to remind you that ICANN's Adobe Connect services have been fully restored. We're confident that any issues with the service have been worked out, and once again we will be using it to enable participants from around the globe to experience ICANN meetings to the fullest extent possible.
Having just recently visited Moscow, Russia, to engage with the local DNS community and New York City, New York, to address representatives at the United Nations, I'm looking forward to soaking in some of the warm Panamanian sun.
My team and I will be on the ground to support you in any way we can, so please don't hesitate to reach out with any questions. Safe travels, and see you all in Panama City!
