ICANN|ARCHIVES

Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers

Background

At its December 2005 meeting, the ICANN Board adopted the following resolution creating ICANN Board and ICANN Governmental Advisory Committee Working Group :

ICANN Board and ICANN Governmental Advisory Committee Working Group

Whereas, ICANN is an organization which involves all relevant stakeholders in a meaningful and effective participation, with a limited mission to coordinate, at the overall level, the global Internet's systems of unique identifiers, and in particular to ensure the stable and secure operation of the Internet's unique identifier systems.

Whereas, the ICANN bylaws require regular reviews of its structure and procedures, and supports the view of continuous evolution and improvements to its structure and the participation of all stakeholders;

Whereas, ICANN recognizes the importance of the role of governments in the processes and procedures of the ICANN multi-stakeholder structure;

Whereas, ICANN has held previously two major cycles of dialog with governments; the first one during the process which gave rise to the formation of ICANN, and the second in 2002 during ICANN's Reform process;

Whereas, in its meeting in Carthage, Tunisia, in October 2003, the GAC started to consider the question of its future structure, organization, and financing;

Whereas, the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) noted the role of governments in the issues surrounding the information society within a multi-stakeholder context, but not involved in the day-to-day operations of the Internet;

Whereas, on 8 November 2005, ICANN’s Chairman communicated to the Chair of ICANN’s Governmental Advisory Committee (GAC) proposing a meeting of the GAC and the Board during the ICANN meeting in Vancouver to discuss what measures need to be taken to make cooperation more effective, including ensuring the participation of developing countries;

Whereas, the ICANN Board recognizes that discussions on improving existing mechanisms will occur in the context of the meaningful, transparent and bottom-up participation of all stakeholders;

Whereas, the ICANN Board and the GAC had a fruitful meeting on 29 November 2005 and the GAC in its 30 November 2005 Communiqué accepted the Board’s proposal to set up a joint Working Group to effectively improve the communication links and collaboration processes between the GAC and the ICANN Board and the relevant ICANN constituencies;

Resolved, (05.__), the ICANN Board Chair and Vice-Chair will identify the participants who will work with the representation designated by the GAC, and with the GAC build on existing discussions and report on progress at the ICANN meeting in Wellington, New Zealand.

Resolved, (05.__), the ICANN Board Chair and Vice-Chair designate the following participants: Raimundo Beca, Mouhamet Diop, Veni Markovski, Thomas Niles, Alejandro Pisanty, Vanda Scartezini, Peter Dengate Thrush, and Paul Twomey.