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<p class="MsoNormal">Dear Listers,<br></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b style>Summary: Africa
Sessions #ICANN52</b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify">Earlier
today we held the 2<sup>nd</sup> and last session of the Africa Sessions here
#ICANN52 and we are glad to report that the attendance and level of
participation witnessed was very impressive. Indeed, yesterday we had a full
house (Fig 1) and still managed to attract over 35 participants during today’s
Session on “The Road to Marrakesh”</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style><span style></span></p>
<p class="">Figure <span style>1</span>: Full house
at Africa strategy Session: Feb 10 in Morrison Room</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify">During
session 1 (Yesterday), we were privileged to be joined by 2 board members, Mike
Silber and George Sadowsky while Tarek attended in part, Sally who also
attended in part addressed the participants and appreciated the efforts made so
far and assured the team of ICANNs commitment to Africa.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b style>Day1, Key Outcomes /
Questions: Africa Strategy Review Session<span style>
</span>- Feb 10</b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b style> </b></p>
<p class="" style><span style="font-family:Symbol"><span style>·<span style="font:7pt "Times New Roman"">
</span></span></span>Support programme to get more ICANN accredited Registrars
<span style> </span>in Africa;</p>
<p class="" style><span style="font-family:Symbol"><span style>·<span style="font:7pt "Times New Roman"">
</span></span></span>Appreciation of the ongoing programmes
especially the DNS Business Internship Programme;</p>
<p class="" style><span style="font-family:Symbol"><span style>·<span style="font:7pt "Times New Roman"">
</span></span></span><b style><i style>Policies</i></b> and <b style><i style>Pricing</i></b> are the key
challenges facing the DNS industry in Africa – especially ccTLDs, capacity
building in this are is key;</p>
<p class="" style><span style="font-family:Symbol"><span style>·<span style="font:7pt "Times New Roman"">
</span></span></span>Lack of E-payments / automation for ccTLD is
inhibiting their growth </p>
<p class="" style><span style="font-family:Symbol"><span style>·<span style="font:7pt "Times New Roman"">
</span></span></span>.<b style>Africa</b>
status<span style> </span>/ delay concerns;</p>
<p class="" style><span style="font-family:Symbol"><span style>·<span style="font:7pt "Times New Roman"">
</span></span></span>Session audio Recording is ready and can be
accessed <a href="http://singapore52.icann.org/en/schedule/tue-africa-strategy/ac-africa-strategy-11feb15-en">here</a></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The New Africa Strategic Plan 2016 – 2020 will now be
adopted from FY16</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b style> </b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b style>Day2, Key Outcomes /
Questions: On the road to Marrakech<span style> </span>-
Feb 11</b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="" style><span style="font-family:Symbol"><span style>·<span style="font:7pt "Times New Roman"">
</span></span></span>The session was to update the community and seek
their further input on the proposed projects that have been suggested to help build
momentum for Africa’s participation in ICANN 55 in Marrakesh.</p>
<p class="" style><span style="font-family:Symbol"><span style>·<span style="font:7pt "Times New Roman"">
</span></span></span>The projects include, High-level governmental
meeting, Meeting of African regulators and NextGen programme all during ICANN
55. It also recommends ICANN’s Active participation in key African Continental
meetings in 2015</p>
<p class="" style><span style="font-family:Symbol"><span style>·<span style="font:7pt "Times New Roman"">
</span></span></span>The projects received support from the
participants but with suggestion to open up the high level meetings to other
stakeholders like Civil Society and private sector.</p>
<p class="" style><span style="font-family:Symbol"><span style>·<span style="font:7pt "Times New Roman"">
</span></span></span>Tarek<span style>
</span>(Session Chair) advised that the ICANN community in Africa must be clear
on what the High Level meetings are expected to achieve.</p>
<p class="" style><span style="font-family:Symbol"><span style>·<span style="font:7pt "Times New Roman"">
</span></span></span>For details and presentations for the session
please click <a href="http://singapore52.icann.org/en/schedule/wed-africa-engagement">here</a>.</p><p class="" style><br></p><p class="" style>Regards</p><p class="" style>Bob.<br></p><p class="" style><br></p><p class="" style><br></p><p class="" style><br></p>
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