Glen de Saint Géry ICANN GNSO Secretariat for Theresa Swinehart Counsel for International Legal Affairs Domain Day Milan

Overview ICANN post reform Future goals Challenges

ICANN has a limited mission Ensure the stable and secure operation of the Internet's unique identifier systems. In particular, ICANN: 1. Coordinates the allocation and assignment of the three sets of unique identifiers for the Internet, which are a. Domain names (forming a system referred to as "DNS"); b. Internet protocol ("IP") addresses and autonomous system ("AS") numbers; and c. Protocol port and parameter numbers. 2. Coordinates the operation and evolution of the DNS root name server system. 3. Coordinates very limited policy development reasonably and appropriately related to these technical functions.

What we don’t do: Content on the internet SPAM Financial transactions online Consumer protection law Privacy law Data protection law Intellectual Property law E-commerce, e-education, e-government etc.

The various interest groups competing for influence over the Domain Name and Addressing systems put the previous administrative process under breaking strain Registries ISPs Root Server Operators Security Issues IAB FCC FTC Registrars UNDP IETF Foreign Business US Business ITU (ITU-T) WIPO OECD Intellectual Property interests Consumers Developing World Governments ccTLD registries Civil Society Groups US Military NATO NSI/ Verisign Regional Internet Registries Universities OECD governments Jon Postel / IANA ETSIW3C

ICANN post reform –New CEO, staff reorganization, new staff –3 year MoU, as last one before full independence of organization –Globalization Staff from over 8 countries, international board, supporting orgnazations full geographic diversity, GAC with over 80 members ICANN as a non-governmental, public/private partnership has accomplished much since its inception No longer an ‘experiment’ – it is an existing and viable organization in the new economic environment.

ICANN has introduced robust competition into the market for domain registration services. ICANN-Accredited Registrars: Unit: ICANN-Accredited Registrars

Demand for gTLD domains has been strong. Domain name registrations in the Generic Top Level Domains: Unit: Number of Registrations

An increasingly global internet has contributed to ccTLDs having grown as a proportion of total registrations. as of 1-Jan-01as of 1-Jan-03 ccTLD vs. gTLD registration share: Unit: Percent of total registrations

Future goals Continued globalization Currently have a staff from over 8 countries An Australian CEO Presence in regions. Recently announced opening of office in Brussels Translation of materials Each supporting organization has geographic diversity Governmental Advisory Committee – over 80 members Completing the MoU with the US Government Final Steps

Challenges Govt efforts to take over domain name and IP addressing space –WSIS debate Risk of negative impact on public/private partnership –Risks alienating technical, business, and Internet community –Internet grew as partnership of technical, business. Don’t break it.