Discussions on the topic of the "public interest within ICANN's remit" and potential definitions of this term have been ongoing for years.

In 2013-2014, the Strategy Panel on Public Responsibility Framework, led by Nii Quaynor, explored this topic. Based on community input at sessions and webinars, the Panel defined the global public interest in relation to the Internet as:

• "ensuring that the Internet becomes, and continues to be, stable, inclusive, and accessible across the globe so that all may enjoy the benefits of a single and open Internet. In addressing its public responsibility, ICANN must build trust in the Internet and its governance ecosystem."

While some recommended the report, at individual and ICANN meetings, and at ICANN 52 in particular, it is evident there is a need and a desire to revisit this topic.

Given limits on bandwidth for additional projects, and given the intense focus on other ongoing dialogues, a wikispace was established as a resource space for all to populate with background documents that will be useful in guiding this conversation forward.

As set out in the ICANN Operating and Strategic Plans, ICANN will be facilitating a conversation in Financial Year 16 to explore the "public interest" within ICANN's mission and mandate, and this High Interest Session will form an important part of this work.

15:15 – 15:20: Introduction and Purpose
Presenter: Nora Abusitta, SVP Development and Public Responsibility Programs (Session Proposer)

15:20 – 15:30: Previous Discussion on this Topic – The Panel
Presenter: Nii Quaynor, Chairman of Board of Directors at National Information Technology Agency, Ghana (Chair of the Strategy Panel on the Public Responsibility Framework)

15:30 – 15:35: Recent Discussions Recap – EURALO "Public Interest" General Assembly Discussion at ICANN54
Presenter: Wolf Ludwig, EuroDIG Secretariat

15:35 – 15:40: Recent Discussions Recap – IGF "The 'Global Public Interest' in Critical Internet Resources"
Presenter: Marília Maciel, Center for Technology and Society of the Getulio Vargas Foundation (CTS/FGV)

15:45 – 16:20: Open Discussion – Questions and comments from the floor / remote participation
Moderator: Olivier Crepin-Leblond, EURALO Chair

16:20 – 16:30: Concluding Remarks and Next Steps