Report: AFRALO - Monthly Meeting

Date: December 4, 2024
Time: 18:30 - 20:00 (UTC)
Venue: Teleconference (Zoom)

Participants

• Leaders : Hadia (Chair), Bram (Vice-chair), Hervé (Secretary), Aziz (ALAC), Raïhanath (ALAC)
• Present Members:
  Nkem Nweke, Abdeldjalil Bachar Bong, Abdou Mfopa, Adam Ahmat Doungous, Adebunmi Akinbo, Adetokunbo Abiola, Aïcha Abbad, Alan Barrett, Athanase Bahizire, Aziz Hilali, Bahar Abderamane, Barrack Otieno, Bendjedid Rachad Sanoussi, Bram Fudzulani, Busayo Balogun, Caleb Ogundele, Cedrick Adrien Mbeyet, Confidence Osein, Dave Kissoondoyal, Dr. Houda Chihi, Ejikeme Egbuogu, Emmanuel Oruk, Fatimata Seye Sylla, Fatou Sarr, Frank Anati, Gloria Amofah, Hadia Elminiawi, Ida Na-Tei, Ines Hfaiedh, Iombonana Andria, Jabhera Matogoro, Joel Okomoli, Levy Syanseke, Malick Alassane, Michel Tchonang, Millenium Anthony, Mutegeki Cliff, Omar Shuran, Oyinkan Adebimpe, Patrick Kiiza, Raihanath Gbadamassi, Remmy Nweke, Saba Tiku, Salyou Fanny, Samwel Kariuki, Seth Adjei Gyimah, Setondji Hounzandji, Seun Ojedeji, Shadrach Ankrah, Stephen Sam, Tijani Ben Jemaa, Vania de Oliveira, Vernatius Ezeama, Zenaba Mahamat Moustapha
• Staff: Heidi Ullrich, Silvia Vivanco, Gisella Gruber, Sara Caplis, Sabrina Mosquera, Yaovi Atohoun, Siranush Vardanyan, Michelle DeSmyter
• Interpreters: Dominique & Chloe
• Call Management: Michelle DeSmyter

Apologies: Isaac Maposa, Bukola Oronti, Adugna Necho Mulatu

Agenda  : https://community.icann.org/display/AFRALO/2024-12-04+AFRALO+Monthly+Teleconference

1.Adoption of the Agenda - (@Hadia Elminiawi)

• • Hadia Elminiawi introduced the agenda and invited participants to adopt it.
  • No comments or modifications were made, and the agenda was adopted.

2. Review of Ongoing Action Items

• • Rules of Procedure:

• • • These are currently under review and are available on the AFRALO Wiki page.

• • • Members are encouraged to review the document and provide feedback.

• • Universal Acceptance (UA) Day:

• • • Members are invited to update an activity table on the Wiki page.

• • • Alternatively, updates can be sent via email for inclusion.

3. Welcome and Role Transition

• • Hounzandji Herve was officially introduced as the new AFRALO Secretary.
  • He succeeded Abdeljalil Bachar Bong, whose term ended after ICANN 81 in Istanbul.
  • Hadia Elminiawi expressed gratitude to Abdeljalil for his dedicated service.
  • Members acknowledged Herve’s proactive approach to his new responsibilities.

4. Readout African fellows ICANN81 - (@Herve Hounzandji)

Africa had seven fellows at ICANN81: Ida Padikuor Na-Tei (Ghana), Emmanuel Oruk (Uganda), Fatou Sarr (Senegal), Hariniombonana Andriamampionona Ep Ralaivao (Madagascar), Millenium Anthony (Tanzania), Olubusayo Mary Balogun (Nigeria), and Saba Tiku Beyene (Ethiopia).

Unfortunately, one fellow could not travel and participated in the meeting remotely due to visa issues.

This session, dedicated to sharing the experiences of African fellows, provided a platform for participants to reflect on the highlights of their journey, the knowledge gained through the program, and their ambitions to become more involved in ICANN initiatives.

Key Takeaways:

• Discovering ICANN Processes:

• • Immersion in ICANN's policy development mechanisms, including public comments and participation in working groups.
  • A deeper understanding of DNS resolvers and DNS-related infrastructure.

• Focus on Digital Inclusion and Universal Acceptance (UA):

• • Increased awareness of the key role universal acceptance plays in ensuring better digital inclusion in Africa.
  • Commitment to promoting this initiative within their respective communities.

• Engagement with the ICANN Community:

• • Fellows expressed admiration for ICANN's multistakeholder model, emphasizing the importance of every stakeholder's role.
  • A clear intention was expressed to join groups such as the NCUC (Non-Commercial Users Constituency) or the NPOC (Not-for-Profit Operational Concerns Constituency).

• Opportunities for Networking and Mentorship:

• • Fellows established valuable connections with African and international stakeholders.
  • They appreciated the accessibility of mentors and the ICANN community, which fosters the integration of newcomers.

• Technical and Personal Learning:

• • Exploration of regional domain names and opportunities offered by the upcoming round of gTLDs.
  • Personal transformation through the fellowship program, enhancing their understanding of technical and policy issues related to the Internet.
  • Inspiration to work more with women in the DNS field.

• Future Prospects:

• • Fellows expressed interest in participating in AFRALO’s monthly meetings and becoming active members to promote ICANN's values.
  • They shared their eagerness to contribute to ICANN’s policies and raise awareness within their local communities.

Session Highlights:

• The enthusiasm and commitment of African fellows to contribute to ICANN’s work.
• Their willingness to promote digital inclusion and initiatives like universal acceptance in their respective countries.
• The fellowship program positively impacts their understanding of ICANN processes and personal growth.

The fellows were invited to participate in monthly meetings and become AFRALO members.

5. Open ICANN Public Comments -  (@Hadia Elminiawi)

@Hadia presented an overview of recent initiatives and ongoing discussions regarding opening public comments within ICANN. Below is a detailed summary of the key points addressed:

• Ratification

• • ICANN Community Participants' Code of Conduct:
    This includes Statements of Interest (SOI) and a general ethics policy recently ratified by the ALAC (At-Large Advisory Committee). The goal is to reinforce principles of transparency and integrity within the community.
  • Version 2 of the Internet Coordination Policy (ICP-2):
    This proposal was also voted on, marking significant progress in enhancing governance and coordination within ICANN.

• Ongoing or Pending Decisions

• • Proposed Revisions to the Community Anti-Harassment Policy:
    Aiming to ensure a safe and respectful environment for all participants.
  • Continuous Improvement Program Framework:
    Designed to establish processes for evaluating and improving ICANN’s operations and policies.
  • IANA 2030 Strategy Plan:
    Covering the 2025-2030 period to anticipate future technical and operational challenges.

• Upcoming Public Comment Procedures

• • OFB-WG (Operations and Finance Board Working Group):

    • PTI FY26 Operating Plan and Budget
    • ICANN FY26 Operating Plan and Budget & IANA FY26 Operating Plan and Budget
    • Revised Operating Standards for Specific Reviews 

• • CPWG (Consolidated Policy Working Group):

• • • Second IANA Naming Function Review Team (IFR2)
    • Phase 2 Final Report on the EPDP-IDNs for ICANN Board Consideration

6. Reports/Updates/Items for discussion

• Feedback received by AFRALO as feedback to AFRALO-AFRICANN statements

The first involves translating relevant technical documents into African languages. The aim is to encourage the AFRALO African community to translate key technical documents into African languages to enhance accessibility.

We received a proposal requesting a mapping exercise. The recommendation was to initiate a mapping exercise to understand the initiatives currently underway in this area. This would help identify gaps and areas where ICANN could play a role, pinpointing who is doing what and where.

We then received another recommendation regarding creating a section on existing opportunities and exploring potential partnerships to maximize impact. It was suggested that we include a dedicated section in the statement highlighting opportunities to advance the use of AI in promoting and supporting a multilingual Internet. This would involve cooperation with the Digital Africa Coalition, Smart Africa, and the Association of African Universities.

It was decided to finalize the ICANN81 statement by December 18 under the coordination of Herve Setondji Hounzandji.

Additionally, AFRALO received letters:

• • On October 3, from Tripti Sinha regarding “ICANN79 AFRALO-AFRICANN Statement on Artificial Intelligence (AI) & AI-powered tools in the service of DNS Management in Africa: Opportunities, Challenges, and Impacts.”
  • On October 14, from Sally Costerton regarding “AFRALO-AfrICANN ICANN80 Statement: Bridging the Digital Divide: Empowering Africa through Multilingual Internet Infrastructure.”
  • On October 25, from Tripti Sinha regarding the “AFRALO-AFRICANN ICANN77 Statement - Improvement of African Participation in ICANN.”
  • On January 30, from Sally Costerton regarding the “AFRALO-AFRICANN ICANN78 Statement: Statement on Internet Resource Management and Governance in Africa.”

All these letters are available via the links in the agenda.

• Preparation of ICANN 82 AFRALO-AFRICANN statement - ICANN82 Registration opened

@Hervé first reminded everyone about the opening of registrations to participate in ICANN82. He also outlined AFRALO’s usual procedure for drafting the joint AFRALO-AfrICANN statement.

Steps in the process:

• • Call for theme proposals: Issue a call to collect suggestions for themes for the joint AFRALO-AfrICANN meeting during ICANN82.
  • Voting to select the theme: Once suggestions are collected, organize a voting process (using a voting system if possible) to finalize the theme choice.
  • Formation of a drafting team: Assemble a team tasked with drafting a preliminary version of the statement based on the selected theme.
  • Finalizing the statement: Present the draft to the community for feedback, incorporate necessary changes, and produce the final version before ICANN82.

During the preparation of the last statement, suggestions were made, but decisions still need to be finalized.

Additional suggestions:

• • @Tijani proposed that the theme selection should not solely rely on voting.
  • @Hadia suggested that a summary should accompany proposed themes moving forward.
  • @Aziz recommended that the next theme focus on how to contextualize the next round of gTLDs to African realities.
  • @Silvia Vivanco was invited to provide the community with a Google Doc link to collect proposed themes and the reasons behind their suggestions.

• Global Stakeholder Engagement (GSE) Africa updates -  (@Yaovi Atohoun) 

GSE Africa thanked AFRALO for participating in ICANN81, particularly in the Africa Space. The team is finalizing the next steps for the proposed working group to start and deliver results by March 2024.

A special commendation was also given for the AFRALO-AfrICANN session. GSE noted the statement and looks forward to AFRALO following up on the recommendations.

GSE Africa contributed to the African School on Internet Governance (AfriSIG) and the Africa Internet Forum, held in Addis Ababa.

Since July, engagement activities have focused more on the upcoming round of new gTLDs, particularly the Applicant Support Program. Numerous resources are available on the program’s website.

ISOC Mauritius and Bokk Jang played an essential role in raising awareness about the next round.

GSE Africa is also supporting various activities:

• • Business community: Participation in the AFICTA Summit
  • DNS Forum: Held in the Republic of Benin

Other ongoing activities under the Digital Africa Coalition include:

• • Introducing curricula in three pilot universities in Africa
  • Concluding capacity development activities with AFTLD
  • Supporting DNSSEC implementation efforts
  • Deployment of L-root instances

• Technical Engagement Update

Yazid Akanho apologized.

• Recent and upcoming ALAC activities -  (@Aziz Hilali) 

The Operations, Finance, and Budget Working Group (OFB-WG) held an important session to discuss ICANN’s long-term plans and the financial review of the year.

A helpful discussion with ICANN’s planning team collected feedback on recent public comments and prepared for upcoming consultations.

The Consolidated Policy Working Group (CPWG) talked about key topics, including updates on policy statements and how policies are being implemented.

For the New gTLD Program, the group discussed ideas for future applications. They also reviewed community feedback on the Registration Data Request Service (RDRS) and examined new issues, such as the effects of new technologies.

Joint meetings, such as those between ALAC and SSAC and ALAC and GAC, were held to strengthen partnerships. Topics included DNSSEC automation, DNS abuse, and plans for the WSIS+20 program.

Lastly, ALAC organized planning sessions to create a roadmap for 2025, focusing on community engagement and ongoing improvements.

• Recent and upcoming AFRALO/ALS activities and updates from individual members

No hands up. @Hadia invited members to share their updates and activities on the mailing list.

• NOMCOM update -  (@Dave Kissoondoyal)

• • Overview of the 2025 NomCom Setup

• • • Amir Qayyum has been appointed as the NomCom Chair.
    • Thomas Barrett is serving as the NomCom Chair-elect.
    • Vanda Scartezini has taken on the role of Associate Chair.

• • Initial Meetings and Workshops

• • • The first face-to-face meeting of the 2025 NomCom was held in Istanbul during ICANN81.
    • A comprehensive onboarding workshop and training session were successfully conducted on October 8th, 9th, and 10th, 2024.

• • Subcommittee Formation

• • • Various subcommittees have been established to streamline the selection process.
    • These subcommittees have already begun their meetings and are actively working towards fulfilling their responsibilities.

• • Open Leadership Positions for 2025 NomCom

             The 2025 NomCom is tasked with filling 10 open leadership positions across different entities:

• • • ICANN Board of Directors:

• • • • 3 open positions (3-year terms).

• • • PTI Board of Directors:

• • • • 1 open position (3-year term).

• • • At-Large Advisory Committee (ALAC):

• • • • 1 position for Africa (2-year term).
      • 1 position for Asia, Australia, and Pacific Islands (2-year term).
      • 1 position for Latin America and the Caribbean (2-year term).

• • • ccNSO Council:

• • • • 1 open position (3-year term).

• • • GNSO Council:

• • • • Contracted Parties House: 1 open position (2-year term).
      • Non-contracted Parties House: 1 open position (2-year term).

• • • Next Steps and Follow-up Actions

• • • • Subcommittees will continue their work and wait for the official announcement.
      • Progress updates will be shared in upcoming meetings.

• CIP - CCG Update - AFRALO CIP document - AFRALO representatives - (@Bram Fudzulani)

@Bram spoke briefly about the Continuous Improvement Programme (CIP). He invited members to participate in an ongoing webinar to understand the programme. He highlighted that comments can be submitted until January 2025. After this period, a year of implementation will follow, with an assessment of progress. 

@Hadia reminded us that AFRALO needs to implement its continuous improvement programme, starting with reviving the capacity-building webinar group and identifying topics of interest. She also mentioned the importance of working on the transition documents.

• AFRALO Social Media Working Group Update

Bukola Oronti apologized.

• Update AFRALO Newsletter - (@Remmy Nweke) 

@Remmy urged members to send him summaries of their activities for the end-of-year newsletter. As the newsletter manager, he reiterated the importance of contributing to the latest annual edition of AFRALO’s newsletter. He expressed his gratitude to those who had already sent their contributions and invited members, including representatives of the African office and key groups such as the NomCom committee, to submit their activity reports.

• UA Day 2025 - (@Hadia Elminiawi)

@Hadia reminds us about updating the activities table on the Wiki page.

7. AFRALO Membership Matters - (@Herve Hounzandji)  

Given the delay, @Hervé welcomes the new AFRALO members and invites them to get involved and participate regularly in meetings and working groups.

AFRALO members are available at https://atlarge.icann.org/als-application-tracking.

8.AOB

With no other business being proposed, @Hadia closed the meeting by once again encouraging all members to actively participate in AFRALO activities.

The meeting was then officially closed by the ICANN team.

9. Next meeting 

Prepare release blog-post
Buy cheese and wine for offsite