I am pleased to update you on the status of the financial support that the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) will be contributing for continued access to the Internet in crisis situations. In a resolution taken 6 March 2022, the ICANN Board directed the ICANN organization (org) to develop a proposal for the distribution of financial assistance to support the security, stability, and resiliency of the Internet's unique identifier systems, specifically where access to Internet infrastructure is jeopardized by sudden, unexpected events beyond the control of the affected users.
The first distribution of funds will be focused on Ukraine. The org is working on a plan to contribute $US 1 million to support Internet access during this time of upheaval, when connectivity and access to information is so critical.
To ensure we are making the best use of these funds, we considered several ways in which we could quickly make a positive impact. We made the decision to partner with an organization that is already on the ground in Ukraine providing support that is in alignment with our mission. I believe that contributing to an existing organization is a better option than creating our own tailor-made solution, especially when we do not have expertise in disaster recovery and crisis response work.
To that end, ICANN has had discussions with several organizations and has been conducting due diligence to evaluate and narrow down the list of potential partners. As well as ensuring alignment with our mission and principles, ICANN must also assess whether contributing to any individual organization is in compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and ICANN's fiduciary obligations.
We want to support the people of Ukraine during this time of violence and uncertainty. We are working diligently to implement this initiative in a timely manner, doing everything we can to speed the process, while at the same time proceeding in a cautious and responsible way.
We will provide another update as soon as we have selected an organization and the specific use of these funds is confirmed.
