[AfrICANN-discuss] ICANN 36 Seoul - Briefing note

Mon Nov 9 13:25:04 SAST 2009

Thanks Rachel,

This is some good information. I can see how important the Seoul meeting
was, humm ... it will be marked in the history of the INTERNET especially
because of IDNs launch.

2009/11/7 Anne-Rachel Inné <annerachel at gmail.com>

>  Seoul meeting briefing note
>  Date:
>  Friday, 06 November 2009
>
> *Briefing Note – Overall Summary of the Seoul Meeting***
>
> *What was it?*
>
> ICANN’s 36th international public meeting was the last of three held
> annually to conduct policy development and outreach. It was hosted by ICANN
> (the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers) and KISA(Korea
> Internet & Security Agency), a public agency that plays a major role in
> developing and researching the Internet in Korea.
>
> The meeting was opened by three local dignatories: Mr. See Joong Choi,
> chairman of the Korea Communications Commission; Mr. Heung Kil Ko, Senator
> and Chairman of the Culture, Sports, and Tourism, Broadcasting and
> Communications Committee of the National Assembly; and Ms. Hee Jung Kim,
> president of KISA.
>
> Mr. See Joong Choi spoke about how the Internet was 40 years old, and the
> impact it has had in that time. He talked about how important IP addresses
> were as assets for the future and that they become a common resource for
> all. And he welcomed the introduction of IDNs as paving a “new way toward
> the future”.
>
> Mr. Heung Kil Ko spoke about how Korea was a leader in the knowledge and
> information society, with 77.6 percent of its citizens online. He spoke of
> the importance of an efficiently and stably managed IP address system, as
> well as dealing with security threats such as hacking and phishing. The
> conference would hopefully lead to close ties between ICANN and Korea, he
> added.
>
> Ms. Hee Jung Kim also heralded the introduction of IDNs, and welcomed a
> recent change in the agreement that ICANN has with the United States
> government as strengthening the autonomy of the IP addressing system.
>
> There were 1,207 attendees to the conference from 111 different countries.
> The participants engaged in a wide range of discussions about the Internet’s
> domain name system and related issues.
>
> Further information about the meeting, including presentations and
> transcripts, is available at http://sel.icann.org.
>
> ICANN’s next international public meeting will take place in Nairobi, Kenya
> beginning on 7 March 2010.**
>
> *What happened and what are the next steps?*
>
> Many meetings, workshops, public forums and informal discussions were held
> over seven days by the different stakeholders of the ICANN model:
>
>
>    - Business interests
>    - Civil society - – including the At-Large Summit of individual
>    Internet user representatives
>    - Governments and government agencies
>    - Internet service providers
>    - Registrants
>    - Registrars
>    - Registries
>    - The technical community
>
>
>
> Several key issues and themes evolved over the course of the meeting. They
> are summarized below.
>
> *Internationalized Domain Names (IDNs)*
>
> WHAT HAPPENED:  The most significant progress at the Seoul meeting was the
> approval of the “fast track”, which will see a limited number of
> internationalized domain names introduced to the Internet’s root possibly
> before the end of the year. To celebrate the occasion, a special evening
> reception was held on the Monday.
>
> The fast track was formally approved by the Board<http://www.icann.org/en/minutes/resolutions-30oct09-en.htm#2> on
> Friday, and although there remain concerns about their introduction, the
> Chairman noted it as an historic achievement and the vote was met with a
> standing ovation by the audience. Dozens of press articles from across the
> world also recognized the event.
>
> For the first time, Internet users that speak something other than Western
> languages will be able to represent an entire Internet address in their own
> language.
>
> NEXT STEPS: Applications to the fast track will open on 16 November.
>
> MORE INFORMATION:
>
> Official announcement of the approval<http://www.icann.org/en/announcements/announcement-30oct09-en.htm>
> http://www.icann.org/en/announcements/announcement-30oct09-en.htm
>
> Fast track webpage 
 <http://www.icann.org/en/topics/idn/fast-track/>
> http://www.icann.org/en/topics/idn/fast-track/**
>
>
> *New gTLDs*
>
> WHAT HAPPENED:  The third version of the Applicant Guidebook, as well as a
> range of other papers and explanatory memoranda, were produced for
> discussion at the meeting. A main session <http://sel.icann.org/node/6739> on
> the program was held on the Monday.
>
> In particular, additional work was done on the “overarching issues” that
> need to be addressed before the introduction of new top-level domains (see
> below for more specific information).
>
> ICANN staff revised the deadline to the opening application date for new
> gTLDs. Instead of giving a date, or quarter, the launch date will be
> dependent on community efforts to find solutions to the overarching issues.
> This approach prompted some in the community to argue that ICANN needed to
> demonstrate its determination to the process.
>
> The result at the end of the week was a compromise solution, approved in a
> Board resolution<http://www.icann.org/en/minutes/resolutions-30oct09-en.htm#5>,
> that asked staff to look into how to introduce a system for allowing
> “expressions of interest” to be shown in new gTLDs.  That process may allow
> for likely demand to be gauged and provide useful data to move some
> discussions from theoretical to pragmatic.
>
> The Applicant Guidebook is out to public comment until 22 November. **
>
>
> *Trademark Protection*
>
> The issue of how to protect trademarks in the event of a massive expansion
> in the domain name space continued to be an issue of much debate. A special
> session  <http://sel.icann.org/node/7116>was held on the Wednesday to
> discuss the issue.
>
> Following public comment on a report produced for the previous meeting in
> Sydney (the IRT report), possible solutions to the issue were reduced from
> four to two in a staff paper released prior to the meeting. Those solutions
> are: the creation of an IP Clearinghouse, or database of validated
> trademarks; and a Uniform Rapid Suspension process for use in clear-cut
> cases of trademark infringement.
>
> That paper has been put to the GNSO for review.
>
>
> *Malicious Conduct*
>
> Two sessions on Monday afternoon addressed the concern that a large
> expansion of the domain name space will present new opportunities for abuse
> of the DNS, such as phishing, malware, the distribution of illegal content,
> and so on.
>
> The broad concern is that with a large number of new companies entering the
> domain name market – both registries and registrars – that there will not be
> sufficient awareness of the problems of dealing with the criminal element
> online.
>
> Summaries of the input received so far on this issue as well as a report by
> ICANN staff with proposed mitigation measures were posted for review prior
> to the meeting and a panel discussion <http://sel.icann.org/node/7116> dug
> further into both.
>
>
> *Security and Stability*
>
> A session on Wednesday <http://sel.icann.org/node/7084> focused on a
> report that review how the Internet’s current systems could scale to
> accommodate new Internet extensions, as well as other security related
> issues such as the introduction of a more secure form of the current system,
> called DNSSEC.
>
> Broadly, there are some concerns that if a large number of extensions were
> introduced to the Internet at the same time, that the systems currently in
> place would not be able to cope.
>
> There was some discussion about whether the report effectively recommended
> that new gTLDs would need to be delayed or spread out over time, although
> there was no agreement on that point and it remains for ICANN’s Advisory
> Committees in this area (RSSAC and SSAC) to review the report, public
> comments on the issue and report back to the community.
>
> The root scaling report is out for public comment<http://www.icann.org/en/public-comment/#rsst-report> until
> 29 November.
>
>
> *Demand and Economic Analysis*
>
> Further economic analysis will be commissioned by ICANN in order to address
> outstanding concerns raised following review of the two previous economic
> studies.
>
>
> NEXT STEPS: Feedback from the meeting, as well as comments sent to comment
> periods covering the third version of the Applicant Guidebook and papers
> related to the overarching issues, will be used to produce a fourth version
> of the guidebook for the Nairobi meeting in March.
>
> Staff will review the possibility of introducing a system where potential
> gTLD applicants are able to provide “expressions of interest” in new
> Internet extensions in order to help the work move forward more effectively.
>
>
> MORE INFORMATION:
>
>
> The new gTLD program webpage contains the latest information as well as
> extensive background information on the whole process:
> http://www.icann.org/en/topics/new-gtld-program.htm
>
> Root scaling study session: 
http://sel.icann.org/node/7084
>
> Trademark Protection session: http://sel.icann.org/node/7116
>
> Malicious Conduct and new gTLDs session: 
http://sel.icann.org/node/7117
>
> Malicious Conduct and Consumer Protection: 
http://sel.icann.org/node/7288
>
> Registry/registrar separation session:
 http://sel.icann.org/node/7083
>
> New gTLD update session: 
http://sel.icann.org/node/6739
>
>
> *Strategic Planning*
>
> WHAT HAPPENED: ICANN held its first strategic planning session for 2010 was
> held on Wednesday morning.
>
> The strategic plan is the process by which the organization’s priorities
> are mapped out, feedback is received from the community, and all the input
> is pulled into an Operating Plan, from which the organization’s budget is
> decided and allocated.
>
> The session was more interactive than previous years with an online survey
> asking people to rank the importance of various areas of work e.g. implement
> new gTLDs, strengthen accountability, etc.
>
> The plan recognized four main areas of focus for ICANN: preserve DNS
> stability and security; promote competition, trust and consumer choice;
> excel in IANA and other core operations; maintain ICANN's long term role in
> the Internet eco-system. Within these, no less than 18 projects were
> highlighted as being of strategic priorities over the next three years.
>
> NEXT STEPS: A draft plan will be drawn up based on community feedback and
> provided to the Board for review. The plan will then be put out to public
> comment in early December, with the second set of feedback used to draw up a
> revised plan to be put before the Board for approval in February 2010.
>
> MORE INFORMATION:
>
> Strategic plan session: http://sel.icann.org/node/7103
>
> Online survey:
> http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=Auve9xOKvl0YbWhg1NLKmA_3d_3d
>
>
> *Affirmation of Commitments*
>
> WHAT HAPPENED: The Joint Project Agreement (JPA) that ICANN had with the US
> government concluded in September and was replaced by an Affirmation of
> Commitments.
>
> Under that Affirmation, ICANN becomes accountable to the global Internet
> community and a series of reviews are outlined that help ensure a high
> degree of public, global accountability.
>
> A special session <http://sel.icann.org/node/7481> was held on the
> Wednesday afternoon where the Chairman and CEO took questions about the
> Affirmation and also outlined a path forward for carrying out the reviews.
>
> The Affirmation was also given an hour-long slot at the public forum on
> Thursday.
>
>
> NEXT STEPS: The Affirmation outlines a number of reviews. An initial draft
> of how these might work will be produced following community feedback and
> presented at the next ICANN meeting in Nairobi.
>
> MORE INFORMATION:
>
> The Affirmation of Commitments:
> http://www.icann.org/en/announcements/announcement-30sep09-en.htm#affirmation
>
> Affirmation session: http://sel.icann.org/node/7481
>
>
> *GNSO Improvements*
>
> WHAT HAPPENED: After years of hard work, the new GNSO Council sat for the
> first time in Seoul. There are now two main stakeholder groups: Contracted
> (made up of registries and registrars), and Non-Contracted (made up of
> commercial and non-commercial interests).
>
> A new chair was chosen by both houses – Chuck Gomes – and he will work
> alongside two new vice-chairs: Olga Cavalli (Non-Contracted) and Stephane
> van Gelder (Contracted).
>
> MORE INFORMATION:
>
> The GNSO Improvements webpage: 
http://gnso.icann.org/en/improvements/
>
> The GNSO Council session: http://sel.icann.org/node/6708<http://sel.icann.org/node/6708>
>
>
> *Independent Reviews*
>
> WHAT HAPPENED: A number of sessions that covered the review of specific
> parts of ICANN were held during the week.
>
> Currently, two bodies are in the implementation phase: GNSO and ALAC. The
> GNSO process was largely finished with the sitting of the new Council;
> whereas the ALAC met the Board’s Structural Improvements Committee<http://sel.icann.org/node/7183> to
> discuss the implementation of its changes.
>
> Meanwhile, going through the Working Group stage (i.e. just before
> implementation) there is: the Nominating Committee<http://sel.icann.org/node/7094>
> ; Board <http://sel.icann.org/node/7252>; and SSAC<http://sel.icann.org/node/7098>
> .
>
> Other reviews ongoing included: RSSAC (just at the start of the working
> group period); ccNSO (just about to head into the review process); and ASO
> (terms of reference for its review being drawn up).
>
> NEXT STEPS: The reviews will progress through the clearly defined processes
> in each case. More sessions will be held in Nairobi to discuss and review
> that progress.
>
>
> MORE INFORMATION:
>
> ALAC and Board SIC session:http://sel.icann.org/node/7183
>
> Nominating Committee review sessionhttp://sel.icann.org/node/7094
>
> Board review session: http://sel.icann.org/node/7252
>
> SSAC review session:
 http://sel.icann.org/node/7098
>
>
> *Board members and Councillors*
>
> Since this was ICANN’s annual general meeting, there was turnaround in
> Board and Council members.
>
> In particular, Roberto Gaetano, Steve Goldstein, Wendy Seltzer and Thomas
> Roessler left the Board. From ALAC: Jose Ovidio Salgueiro, Fatimata Seye
> Sylla, Vanda Scartezini, Nguyen Thu Hue, and Sivasubramanian Muthusamy all
> ended their terms. And from the GNSO: Tony Harris, Philip Sheppard, Greg
> Ruth, Tony Holmes, Ute Decker, Cyril Chua, Carlos Affonso Pereira de Souza,
> Maggie Mansourkia, Jon Nevett, and Steve Metalitz all left the Council.
>
> Special mention was given to leaving GNSO chair Avri Doria and leaving
> NomCom chair Tricia Drakes.
>
> Peter Dengate Thrush was re-elected as chair of the Board, and Dennis
> Jennings as vice-chair.
>
>
> *Board Resolutions*
>
> The full set of Board Resolutions at the public meeting on Friday can be
> found online at http://www.icann.org/en/minutes/resolutions-30oct09-en.htm
> .
>
> A transcript of the meeting can be found at:
> http://sel.icann.org/meetings/seoul2009/transcript-board-meeting-30oct09-en.txt
>
> And video recordings of proceedings can be found in two parts at:
> http://icann.na3.acrobat.com/p77419459/ and
> http://icann.na3.acrobat.com/p19863704/
>
>
> *Other Matters*
>
> Pictures of the conference can be found at: http://www.icann.org/photos/
>
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-- 
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CEO Udvantage ltd.
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