1 ICANN... update Pablo Hinojosa Manager, Regional Relations Global and Strategic Partnerships 2007 Caribbean Internet Forum St. Lucia, 5 November 2007

2 In the beginning...

3 From thin pipe to fat pipe The greater the demand for Internet-based services, the larger and more complex the Internet ecosystem becomes

4 Internet… Is a powerful and pervasive technology for empowering economies and individuals It is the foundation of $2.4 trillion in e-commerce that flowed online last year It’s evolved due to collaboration and cooperation of an overall eco-system - technology does not recognize boundaries or politics The Internet itself (in fact the entire communications system) and issues surrounding it are still evolving Maintaining a single interoperable Internet is key to all of this -- ICANN and its’ coordination role has some responsibilities in this regard

5 5 Operating layers Telecommunications infrastructure – Physical network made up of underwater cables, telephone lines, fiber optics, satellites, microwaves, wi-fi, and so on – facilitates transfer of electronic data over the Internet Internet protocols and standards (TCP/IP, DNS, SSL) – TCP/IP, controls traffic flow by dividing and web data into packages before they are transmitted on the Internet Content and applications standards (HTML, XML, Java) – Promotes creativity and innovation in applications leading to , World Wide Web, ebanking, wiki, Skype, and much more ICANN’S Responsibility

6 ICANN mission To coordinate, overall, the global Internet's system of unique identifiers: 1.Allocation and assignment of the three sets of unique identifiers for the Internet: Domain names (forming a system called the DNS) Internet protocol (IP) addresses and autonomous system (AS) numbers Protocol port and parameter numbers 2.Operation and evolution of the DNS root name server system 3.Policy development reasonably and appropriately related to these technical functions

7 Core Operations IANA operations –Automate IANA processes where appropriate to enhance productivity and efficiency gTLD Registry operations –Registry Contractual Provisions and Whois, delegations of new gTLDs and IDNs gTLD Registrar operations –Promote competition and choice of consumers in all regions of world –Protection and choice for registrants such as escrow of data and clear description of market choices Contractual compliance –Accreditation and policy processes –Collect data for proper problem resolution

8 Multi-stakeholder model Supporting Organizations At-Large Organizations –Address Supporting Organization –Generic Names Supporting Organization (including business, Intellectual Property, ISPs constituencies) –Country Code Names Supporting Organization –Latin America- Caribbean –European Union –Africa –Asia/Australia/Pacific –North America Advisory Committees –Governmental Advisory Committee –Security and Stability Advisory Committee –Root Server Security and Stability Advisory Committee –At-Large Advisory Committee

9 Agenda Issues Introduction of Internationalized Domain Names (IDNs) Introduction of New TLDs Migration from IPv4 to IPv6 Security and stability and emerging issues Accountability and transparency Whois database service Registrar data escrow services Registry failover plan Accountability frameworks with ccTLD managers

10 Priority areas Strategic priorities for the next 3 years –Implementing IDNs and new TLDs –Transition from IPv4 to IPv6 –Enhancing security and stability of the Internet’s unique identifiers –Strengthening ICANN’s multi-stakeholder model to manage increasing demands and changing needs –Strengthening accountability and governance

11 Internationalized Domain Names (IDNs) Goal is IDN deployment in 2008 Technical testing of example.test in 11 languages With regard to policy areas -- extensive discussion and work in the GNSO, ccNSO and in the GAC –On a ccTLD level, request for Issues Report (launch of IDN ccPDP) Exploring potential two-track approach to enable establishment of IDNs for ccTLD specific situations Importance to businesses –Multilingual use of users and consumers –Multilingual audience to address –Multilingual use of domain names –Increased user audience on the Internet

12 New gTLDs New gTLDs are about choice ICANN is developing a new application and approval policy New gTLDs could work in tandem with progress on IDNs for the introduction of new TLDs in new character sets Anticipate progress in 2008

13 IPv6 Pool of unallocated IPv4 addresses is projected to be fully distributed at some point…. when is being debated. There is a perception it’s merely a technical issue – which has had an impact on slowing the transition and movement to IPv6 Many organizations and governments are stressing its importance publicly

14 Security and stability Provide mechanisms that permit users of ICANN- maintained unique identifiers to independently validate those identifiers, e.g. through DNSSEC, digital signatures, etc. Continue to strengthen DNS stability and resilience (e.g. analysis of root operations and scaling, deploying secondaries for IANA administered zones) Work with RIRs to provide leadership relating to issues regarding IPv4 and IPv6 transition

15 ICANN’s multi-stakeholder model Participation –Fellowships program, outreach program Capacity building –On current and future PDP’s –Regional initiatives Organizational systems –Transcribes, automatic translation, wiki, remote participation tools: IT as a strategic asset Reviews –NomCom review, gNSO review, Board review, ALAC review… etc. Organizational capability –Building ICANN’s leadership –Enhancing communications across a globally distributed staff

16 Accountability and governance Joint Project Agreement / Affirmation of Responsibilities… Independence! –Progress steps to transition to private sector Accountability and Transparency –Annual reports, management operating principles, governance best practices –Independent review by One World Trust ICANN’s role in the international arena –Roles of technical, policy making, advisory, governmental, regional, service and educational groups with whom ICANN partners –A range of existing external legal and internal rule based accountabilities

17 Thank You