There's been previous mention on the list of the GAC-Board meeting in Brussels scheduled for 28 Feb-1 March. Everyone's been sort of in the dark about the details, but today staff replied to the Council on a few aspects, see below. The growing role of governments presents some interesting challenges for ICANN processes (one of the topics we'll discuss at the NCUC pre-conference event in San Francisco on March 11). In addition to Kurt's answers below, the referenced update that was posted on Feb. 2 provides important info. Re: live public attendance, ICANN's provided a full six days notice to RSVP from when the update was quietly posted, and "those whose RSVPs are confirmed will need to submit a copy of an airline ticket, hotel reservation or other indication of their intent to attend in person." Moreover, "Please note that in addition to the open plenary sessions, smaller meetings focused on specific issues may also take place and may be closed to non-participants. If they occur, those in these smaller meetings will report on their work during the open plenary sessions." So should anyone make a quick decision to attend, they'll need for their RSVP to be confirmed (hopefully automatic, but…) and then to quickly provide proof of intent, and they won't be allowed into the smaller break-outs where probably the real cards on the table discussions will take place. Transparency and accountability under the AoC…Oh, and apparently the subject matter experts are just staff members...
Given the recent US government broadside on the Applicant Guidebook, particularly the censorship and IPR elements, and the unseen positionings of governments that haven't been so bold as to announce their objections yet, this should be a rather interesting meeting. Hope some NCSG people can attend, even if there's no opportunity to speak…
Bill
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William J. Drake Senior Associate Centre for International Governance Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies Geneva, Switzerland *********************************************************** |
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