<div>Hi , Katim<br></div><div><br></div><div>We are happy for the new year and the prospects that spell out a real opportunity for Developing Countries and especially Africa Just Like Tijani says its imperative for us in the African Community to respond during the comment window and let the unity voice be heard with clarity.</div>
<div>2011 promises alot , Have a good year ahead.</div><div><br></div><div>Once again thanks to you all.</div><div><br></div><div>Warmest Regards</div><div>Rop.</div><br><div class="gmail_quote">On Wed, Dec 22, 2010 at 1:39 PM, Katim S. Touray <span dir="ltr"><<a href="mailto:kaamt@yahoo.com">kaamt@yahoo.com</a>></span> wrote:<br>
<blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="margin:0 0 0 .8ex;border-left:1px #ccc solid;padding-left:1ex;"><div><div style="font-family:times new roman,new york,times,serif;font-size:10pt;color:black"><div>Dear all,<br><br>I join all the others in wishing you well and sending you season's greetings!<br>
<br>I'd like to bring up a few follow-up issues about the recently-concluded ICANN 39 meeting in Cartagena, Colombia (<a href="http://cartagena39.icann.org/" target="_blank">http://cartagena39.icann.org/</a>):<br><ol>
<li><span style="font-weight:bold">Support for needy gTLD applicants</span> - you'll recall that efforts are on-going (through the JAS Working Group) to develop proposals for supporting needy developing countries applicants for new gTLDs. A session was held on the matter, and archives of the audiocast are available online (<a href="http://cartagena39.icann.org/node/15499" target="_blank">http://cartagena39.icann.org/node/15499</a>) . In addition, a statement was issued on the matter by the
African ICANN community (<a href="http://forum.icann.org/lists/jas-milestone-report/msg00000.html" target="_blank">http://forum.icann.org/lists/jas-milestone-report/msg00000.html</a>). The JAS Working Group has issued a milestone report and addendum, and both are available for public comment until Jan. 10, 2011 (<a href="http://www.icann.org/en/public-comment/#jas-milestone-report" target="_blank">http://www.icann.org/en/public-comment/#jas-milestone-report</a>).</li>
<li><span style="font-weight:bold">ICANN Strategic Plan</span> - the 2011-2014 ICANN Strategic Plan has also been posted for public comment. The Strategic Plan spells out ICANN's strategic objectives and activities to be carried out in the plan period. The strategic plan will be implemented through an operational plan and a budget, both of which will be reviewed after the strategic plan is finalized. Archives of the audiocast and presentations at the Cartagena session on the ICANN strategic plan
are available at: <a href="http://cartagena39.icann.org/node/16009" target="_blank">http://cartagena39.icann.org/node/16009</a> As with the JAS Working Group reports, the strategic plan has also been posted for public comment until Jan. 10, 2011 (<a href="http://www.icann.org/en/public-comment/#draft-strat-2011" target="_blank">http://www.icann.org/en/public-comment/#draft-strat-2011</a>).</li>
</ol>I urge you to take the time to review the above-mentioned documents, and provide your feedback on them. The JAS Working Group report will form the basis for efforts to support new gTLD applicants from developing countries, and as such, could use valuable input from those of us from these countries.<br>
<br>With regards to the ICANN strategic plan, it is important to realize that the best way to have ICANN support activities would be to have them included in the strategic plan. If, for example, we want ICANN to support capacity-building in ccTLD management, we must
ensure that such an activity is in the strategic plan, and is included in the operational plan, and the budget. So the starting point is the strategic plan, and we have to provide our thoughts on what areas and activities ICANN should be engaged in. If we don't, we run the risk of these issues being omitted from the strategic plan, and hence, making it very difficult, if not impossible, to get funding for them in the future. It's really as simple as that.<br>
<br>I guess that's about it for now. Again, season's greetings, and best wishes for a MERRY CHRISTMAS, and a HAPPY, HEALTHY, and PROSPEROUS NEW YEAR!!<br><br>Sincerely,<br><br>Katim<br><br></div>
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