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ICANN 45 – An Eventful Week in Toronto!

Written by admin on . Posted in Blogs & Updates, Contributors, ICANN & gTLDs, Most Recent

 

By Tim Switzer, COO and CFO

DotGreen just returned from an exciting and busy week at the ICANN 45 meetings in Toronto. As always, the DotGreen team was able to re-connect with its many supporters and global Internet delegates while positively contributing to the multi-stakeholder policy discussions.

Annalisa Roger, Founder and CEO, was engaged with NARALO, ALAC, ISOC and the GAC meetings and events while Tim Switzer, COO and CFO, participated in GNSO, RySG and NTAG meetings. Roger and Switzer also attended specific ICANN breakout sessions such as New gTLDs, TMCH and the New gTLD “draw” proposal as well as individual meetings with future partners that will be a critical part of the .green launch, operation and growth. A very active, engaging and productive week!

Public Forum at ICANN 45 (DotGreen photo)

DotGreen made a “GREEN” impact as we always do while engaged with ICANN assemblies. We had our third People and Planet event, “Green Toronto”, as well as a social event that celebrated the launch of the Canada DotGreen Bureau with numerous local environmentalists and companies focused on green and sustainability initiatives, as well as some Toronto domain name developers. We will share details on these events in forthcoming blogs and videos!

So what happened during the week? Here are some of the highlights:

  • This was the first meeting for Fadi Chehadé as the new ICANN CEO and President. Fadi is being very positively received by the community as someone who has immediately stepped in and been decisive, open-minded, a good listener, willing to take on tough issues and focus on public benefit.
  • Chehadé announced a new online ICANN communications tool, myicann.org, which can be personalized to receive automatic updates and communications on various ICANN topics while improving access to important documents.
  • The GNSO and ICANN community gave a warm and well-deserved “goodbye” and thanks to out-going Chair Stephane Van Gelder while also welcoming the new Chair Jonathan Robinson
  • The RALO’s celebrated their 5th anniversary!
  • NARALO completed a week-long session on capacity building
  • Heather Dryden was re-elected as Chair of the GAC
  • The new Chair (Yrjö Länsipuro) and Chair-elect (Cheryl Langdon-Orr) of the Nominating Committee hosted their first NomCom meeting
  • Progress continues on the very important RAA negotiations – a few minor issues remain and one major issue which involves an ICANN revocation clause which would allow ICANN to de-accredit all registrars. Obviously this is concerning to the registrars. These negotiations are targeted to be completed by year-end and put out for Public Comment – Chehadé has identified this as one of this key initiatives he wants to personally help push over the finish line.

Fadi Chehadé, right, and leadership of ICANN during the 45th assembly (DotGreen photo)

Progress being made on New gTLDs:

  • The New TLD Applicant Group (NTAG) held a 2-hour meeting that was very well attended by New gTLD applicants, ICANN Staff and ICANN Board Members.  NTAG appears to have gained credibility through their positive contributions and input to the New gTLD process and were mentioned several times during the week by ICANN Board Members, Chehade and Senior Staff.
  • TMCH – a community-based proposal put forward by ARI/Neustar and supported by a large portion of the community generated a lot of discussion and progress during the week. This is another priority item that Chehadé has identified as a critical item to resolve in a timely manner.
  • Chehadé emphasized that the formal New gTLD Objection Period has been extended from January to March 13 and is set.
  • The GAC continues to work through their Early Warnings due November 20th as well as Advice to before the Beijing meeting in April 2013.
  • A new “drawing” proposal was submitted a few days prior to ICANN 45 and generated a lot of discussion during the week. Chehadé asked the community to support IDN applications receiving priority; all other applications will be evaluated in the order of their draw number. The drawing will be held between December 4 and December 15 at the ICANN offices in LA. Applicants who choose to participate will need to pay US$100 in order to have their number drawn. The ICANN community seems to generally accept this process as fair and, importantly, it keeps the New gTLD timeline and process moving forward. A comment period is currently open and it is likely that ICANN will receive input on numerous tweaks to this proposal.

As you can see, a lot was accomplished during the week, and I sensed a positive feeling and forward momentum as the delegates started their journeys home. We look forward to seeing the many global and equal stakeholders at ICANN 46 in Beijing!