[bc-gnso] Update on ICANN Board/GAC Consultation on New gTLDs - will discuss during BC call today

[Marilyn Cade <marilynscade@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

FOR DISCUSSION DURING TODAY'S CALL: 




 Update on ICANN Board/GAC Consultation on New gTLDsby JAMIE HEDLUND on 
FEBRUARY 16, 2011We wanted to provide some additional information on the work 
being carried out by ICANN’s Board of Directors and the Governmental Advisory 
Committee (GAC) to prepare for their upcoming meeting in Brussels on the new 
gTLD program.As detailed in our recent announcements and blog, the Board and 
the GAC will hold a joint workshop to discuss the GAC’s concerns regarding the 
proposed implementation of the new gTLD program. Following the workshop, it is 
anticipated that the Board and GAC will meet for a bylaws-triggered 
consultation.The Board, ICANN staff and the GAC are working diligently to 
understand the GAC’s concerns and identify the areas of disagreement and 
possible solutions. Substantial preparatory work has been done, including the 
appointment of “issue leads” for the topics raised in the GAC’s Cartagena 
Communiqué, exchanges of draft issue papers and joint conference call 
discussions. The papers will be published prior to the meeting.Most ICANN Board 
Members and a strong contingent of GAC representatives are expected to 
attend.In addition to the Brussels consultation, the bylaws-defined 
consultation will take place on 17 March, the day before the Silicon Valley–San 
Francisco Board Meeting. Because of the timing of the bylaws consultation, the 
Board will not approve or announce the new gTLD program at that Board 
Meeting.The timing and substance of any subsequent Board actions on the new 
gTLD program will depend on the outcome of the bylaws consultation.Stay tuned 
for further updates on the logistics and agenda for the Brussels meeting.ShareT 
http://blog.icann.org/2011/02/update-on-icann-boardgac-consultation-on-new-gtlds-2/