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ICANN has a range of existing external legal and internal rule based accountabilities. Those accountabilities have never been outlined concisely and in collected form. For example, there has been no clear set of information disclosure principles, no clear participation framework, no clear translation framework and no organisational code of conduct. The draft principles and frameworks for accountability released on 23 June 2007 strive to achieve that purpose. They are presented in draft form for discussion and development with the community.

You can read them here, or as a pdf file here.

In considering these draft documents ICANN would like feedback on the following:

• This is the first time that ICANN’s existing accountabilities have been collected in one place. Is this helpful?
• Was there anything presented that was unexpected or unknown?
• What more can be done to strengthen ICANN’s accountability?
• What more could be done to improve upon the existing processes for the Strategic and Operating plans and the budget?
• What more needs to be done to improve upon the draft translation framework?
• What more could be done to improve participation and the draft framework?
• Is the draft information disclosure policy suitable for ICANN’s needs?
• Is the draft code of conduct suitable for ICANN’s needs?
• Are the mechanisms for dispute resolution suitable for ICANN’s needs?

In answering the above, providing clear evidence to support assertions as well as identifying any organizations that have mechanisms beyond those that ICANN relies upon, will greatly assist in understanding what improvements can be made.

Announcement | Comments | Summary/analysis of comments

Explanation:The introduction of new top-level domains is a core element of ICANN’s mission. The policies which have emerged from the policy development process are central to establishing an open and transparent system for the introduction of new top-level domains.

The draft final report comes in two parts. Part A and Part B.

The public comment period is an opportunity for interested stakeholders to provide commentary on the GNSO’s package of policy recommendations. As a guide, comments that address the following questions would be most useful.

1. Do you have any general comments about the package of principles, proposed policy recommendations and implementation guidelines?
2. Do you have any comments on the selection criteria for new top-level domains (Recommendations 2-9, 20)?
3. Do you have any comments on contractual conditions for new TLD operators (Recommendations 10, 14-19)?
4. Do you have any further comments about any other aspect of the introduction of new top-level domains?

Announcement | Comments | Summary/analysis of comments

Explanation:This comment period originally ran from 22 June 2007 to 9 July 07. It was reopened on 8 August 2007 with an updated version of the report [pdf], following the initial public comment period (details of which are below).

For clarity, although this draft ccNSO Paper is based upon the Regions Working Group’s Final Report, the emphasis is different. It assumes that the ccNSO Council has accepted the Final Report (which it has not yet done), and concentrates on explaining to the ICANN Board why further, community-wide consultation and investigation is needed.

First comment period:

The ICANN Geographic Regions form the basis of the regional structure of the ALAC and ccNSO, and are used to ensure the geographic diversity of the ICANN Board, ccNSO and GNSO Council.

A ccNSO Working Group has been reviewing ICANN’s geographical regions and produced a report. It would appreciate input from ccTLD managers and other stakeholders, including the GAC, on the report generally and on the following questions in particular:

1. Do the concerns as described in Section B of the report adequately represent the concerns? If not, please indicate what needs to change.
2. Do you support the recommendations (Section D) of the Working Group?

At the ccNSO Lisbon meeting, the Working Group presented a progress report. Based on the feedback received, the draft report and its recommendations were further amended. Input would be appreciated on the following questions :

1. Do the concerns as described in Section B of the report adequately represent the concerns? If not, please indicate what needs to change.
2. Do you support the recommendations (Section D) of the Working Group?

You can read the full report here [pdf].

Announcement | Re-opening announcement | Comments | Summary/analysis of comments

Explanation:ICANN produces a Strategic Plan that guides ICANN’s operations for the coming three years.

The plan is reviewed and updated annually and developed with the community between July and December. It then feeds into an annual Operating Plan, between January and June. This is the first of a number of consultation steps in the development of the Strategic Plan. You can find the timeline here.

ICANN is seeking comments from the community in the initial consultation for the June 2008 - July 2011 Strategic Plan, in particular with reference to a number of questions that can be found here.

You can see the current Strategic Plan (2007-2010) here.

Announcement | Comments | Summary/analysis of comments

The NARALO MOU can be downloaded in English here [pdf].

Announcement | Comments | Summary/analysis of comments