Joint Session: ICANN Board and NCSG - ICANN78

Agenda:

Board questions to NCSG:

Looking forward over the next 3 - 5 years, what are the key strategic issues ICANN and the ICANN ecosystem should be addressing in the FY26-30 Strategic plan, and why?

When ICANN first started, the Internet was an open network of networks where most players saw the value of co-operating to keep the network running as smoothly as possible, and governments felt regulation of such a quickly evolving target would not be wise. It seems those days are long gone, and governments are both looking at increased regulation (leading to fragmentation) as well as using the network for surveillance of their citizens. At the same time the tech giants are busy replacing the public Internet based on open standards with proprietary, closed walled gardens based on collecting and selling detailed information about their users, and making public identifiers increasingly irrelevant. How is ICANN positioning itself in this new world?

NCSG questions/topics to the Board:

• WSIS+20 is going to happen in 2025. Many, including ICANN org, seems to believe that the outcome could potentially impact ICANN’s mission. Does the Board share this view? If so, what is the Board’s plan to prepare for and defend ICANN from the potential impact? What do you think the community can do to supplement/reinforce the effort?
• What is your view of the AFRINIC situation, and what role do you see for ICANN in resolving it?
• One of our Interim CEO Sally Costerton’s FY24 goal is Environmental Sustainability Strategy. In the blog post it was suggested that ICANN will initiate the development of a comprehensive approach for implementing an environmental sustainability strategy. How has this been progressing? Can you share more details?

Can you talk about progress in the Applicant Support area? As you know, the SubPro Working Group recommended a wider range of support for Applicants, including funds to help with the cost of preparing an application. We know the Board raised “fiduciary concerns” about and that there has been discussion with the Council. Can you share with us how you see the path forward on this issue?  How can we help Applicants who need support to apply for gTLDs to obtain it? Also, how much money do you think ICANN will be providing for Applicant Support in the next round?  Finally, what do you think of proposals for its distribution through non-profit organizations, thereby removing any direct connection between ICANN and the advice and guidance provided?