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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=en-MU link="#0563C1" vlink="#954F72" style='word-wrap:break-word'><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black;mso-fareast-language:#2000'>Dear PDWG</span><span lang=EN-US style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black;mso-fareast-language:#2000'>,</span><span lang=EN-US style='mso-fareast-language:#2000'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='mso-fareast-language:#2000'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify'><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black;mso-fareast-language:#2000'>We are in an unprecedented situation. AFRINIC, in its role as secretariat to the PDWG, is committed to finding the best possible way to assist the PDWG in getting back on track the soonest.</span><span style='mso-fareast-language:#2000'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='mso-fareast-language:#2000'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black;mso-fareast-language:#2000'>In an attempt to bring additional support to the Working Group, AFRINIC has decided to increase the support provided to the PDWG by appointing a Policy Liaison Team, which will now be composed of both:<br>- Mrs</span><span lang=EN-US style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black;mso-fareast-language:#2000'>.</span><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black;mso-fareast-language:#2000'> Madhvi Gokool (Senior IP Resource Specialist),<br>- Mr. Brice Abba (Community Development Manager).</span><span style='mso-fareast-language:#2000'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='mso-fareast-language:#2000'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify'><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black;mso-fareast-language:#2000'>This arrangement will ensure resiliency and reinforce AFRINIC’s capacity to handle the support that the PDWG and PDP require. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify'><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black;mso-fareast-language:#2000'>This team will also be working on activities focused on building an informed community in the matters of the AFRINIC Policy Development Process. </span><span style='mso-fareast-language:#2000'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:12.0pt'><span style='mso-fareast-language:#2000'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify'><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black;mso-fareast-language:#2000'>The PDWG can expect the following from AFRINIC in its role as secretariat: </span><span style='mso-fareast-language:#2000'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='mso-fareast-language:#2000'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify'><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black;mso-fareast-language:#2000'>i) AFRINIC will continue to act as a facilitator and share the amended list of criteria based on the latest inputs</span><span lang=EN-US style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black;mso-fareast-language:#2000'>;</span><span lang=EN-US style='mso-fareast-language:#2000'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify'><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black;mso-fareast-language:#2000'>ii) Once the eligibility criteria are approved, AFRINIC will open the call for Interest for the appointment of the replacing PDWG Co-Chairs</span><span lang=EN-US style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black;mso-fareast-language:#2000'>;</span><span lang=EN-US style='mso-fareast-language:#2000'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify'><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black;mso-fareast-language:#2000'>iii) AFRINIC will contact NOMCOM2021 and seek their support in the evaluation of the nominees</span><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:black;mso-fareast-language:#2000'>. </span><span style='mso-fareast-language:#2000'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='mso-fareast-language:#2000'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify'><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black;mso-fareast-language:#2000'>The new timelines for the above will be shared shortly later today.</span><span style='mso-fareast-language:#2000'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='mso-fareast-language:#2000'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify'><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black;mso-fareast-language:#2000'>We have also noted the Working Group’s requests for including new entrants in the PDWG as co-chair aspirants. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify'><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black;mso-fareast-language:#2000'>The Policy Liaison Team will thus craft an onboarding program for newcomers, so please watch this space.</span><span style='mso-fareast-language:#2000'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='mso-fareast-language:#2000'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify'><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black;mso-fareast-language:#2000'>Dear Sisters and Brothers,</span><span style='mso-fareast-language:#2000'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify'><span style='mso-fareast-language:#2000'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify'><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black;mso-fareast-language:#2000'>It is expected that within such a diverse community, we have a divergence of opinions, and I urge you to stay compliant with the Code of Conduct even in the absence of Co-Chairs. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify'><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black;mso-fareast-language:#2000'>We all, volunteers and staff alike, need a safe environment as we invest our time and efforts towards building smooth and conducive interactions. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify'><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black;mso-fareast-language:#2000'>We have noticed a few deviations and would appreciate that we stay calm and focused towards our common goal.</span><span style='mso-fareast-language:#2000'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify'><span style='mso-fareast-language:#2000'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black;mso-fareast-language:#2000'>We look forward to your continued contribution and collaboration.</span><span style='mso-fareast-language:#2000'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:12.0pt'><span style='mso-fareast-language:#2000'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify'><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black;mso-fareast-language:#2000'>Kind regards, </span><span style='mso-fareast-language:#2000'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='mso-fareast-language:#2000'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify'><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black;mso-fareast-language:#2000'>Eddy Kayihura </span><span style='mso-fareast-language:#2000'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify'><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black;mso-fareast-language:#2000'>Chief Executive Officer</span><span style='mso-fareast-language:#2000'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Baskerville Old Face",serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=en-MU style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Baskerville Old Face",serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-US style='mso-fareast-language:#2000'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=en-MU><o:p> </o:p></span></p></div></body></html>