What is ICANN's Governmental Advisory Committee (GAC)
2 WHAT The Governmental Advisory Committee (GAC) provides advice to the ICANN Board on issues of public policy, especially where there may be an interaction between ICANN's activities or policies and national laws or international agreements.
3 WHO Accredited representatives of: national governments with distinct economies Observers: Multinational governmental organizations Treaty organizations
4 WHO Chair Ms. Heather Dryden, Canada Vice Chairs Mr. Peter Nettlefold - Australia Mr. Thomas Schneider - Switzerland Mr. Tracy Hackshaw - Trinidad & Tobago Governments and others interested in joining the GAC as a member or observer can send a formal inquiry to the GAC Secretariat
5 HOW Works on the basis of seeking consensus among its membership Adopts decisions by general agreement in the absence of any formal objection When agreement not possible, will convey full range of views expressed
6 HOW GAC members elect a chair who serves as a non-voting liaison to the ICANN Board Each GAC member or observer may appoint one representative and one alternate to the GAC Advisors may accompany the accredited representative All must hold a formal position with the GAC member’s public administration
7 WHERE & WHEN Meets 3 times per year in conjunction with ICANN meetings Interacts with ICANN Board and ICANN Supporting Organizations, Advisory Committees, and other stakeholders Continues internal GAC and external discussions between ICANN meetings
8 GAC meetings are typically attended by approximately 55 national governments, as well as various global Observer organizations such as the ITU, UNESCO, the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), INTERPOL and regional organizations such as the OECD, Asia Pacific Forum, and Council of Europe. Simultaneous interpretation in UN languages plus Portuguese Issues formal communiqué containing a record of meetings and advice to the ICANN Board Website provides copies of all meeting materials including public transcripts
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