[APAC-Discuss] Brief Update for APRALO and ALAC

[Salanieta T. Tamanikaiwaimaro]

Dear Colleagues,

*Review of Trusted Community Representation in Root Zone DNSSEC Key Signing
Ceremonies*
Following the last APRALO Call and the invitation by ALAC Chair to the
wider RALO for members to hold the pen on statements, I advise that I had
volunteered to draft the statement on the Review of Trusted Community
Representation in Root Zone DNSSEC Key Signing Ceremonies. The task
involved consulting with the wider community of At Large and also through
my own local ALS. By extension, APRALO held the pen.

There was feedback from EURALO, LACRALO and NARALO. The final statement can
be found via: https://community.icann.org/x/nge6Ag

There were instances where there were divergent views expressed and care
was taken to include all the views except for one where it was suggested to
use the UNESCO model. The statement will go before the ALAC for their final
vote.

*APRALO and APTLD MoU*
A MoU was drafted to capture intentions of both APRALO and APTLD. Ths
involved exchanges of email between APTLD GM and the drafting team. The
draft was sent to the APRALO for comments following a briefing on the
APRALO call. Members were invited to make submissions and comments before
31st January, 2014. Confirmation was received that there were no comments
nor submissions published on the Wiki nor sent to Siranush and the APRALO
list.


*Middle East DNS Forum*
I am happy to report that I attended remotely through the channels and it
was a very interesting and eye opening Forum where I got to learn about the
experiences of the Arab Speaking region. I tweeted on occasion. You can
discover what people were saying or thinking via twitter #MEDNSF. What
stood out for me was how internet proliferation and access is being
redefined with the introduction of Arabic script into the root zone. People
were excited and this is fantastic news for communities in the region -
many of whom are part of our RALO. It was also great that Ali was there in
person. I am not sure how many ALSes were there but it would be great to
hear about possible opportunities for further and better engagement with
that region. I am also curious as to whether At Large and APRALO brochures
were given out at the DNS Forum. Congratulations to Baher, Fahd and the TRR
Team in Dubai for hosting a fantastic event! The Adobe was very clear and I
was able to stream in on both Adobe and alternated via ITunes live stream.

*Middle East Strategy Working Group Workspace*
The Middle East community have also been engaging in developing a Middle
East Strategy. Ali Almeshal has been active in this space. To monitor
developments in this space, kindly visit the Middle East Strategy Working
Group Workspace via
https://community.icann.org/display/MES/Middle+East+Working+Group. The
Strategy Document as well as the FY14 Implementation Plan can be found on
the same link under "Documents" (see left pane of the wiki space) at
https://community.icann.org/display/MES/Documents. If your ALS is located
in the Middle East and you are not aware or part of the Working Group, I
would suggest that you contact: Baher Esmat via baher.esmat at icann.org


*ICANN Oceania Working Group*
The Working Group is tasked with working on and developing a regional
strategy for engagement. Noting that there are only 5 ALSes in the whole of
Oceania which has 27 countries and territories with ccTLDs assigned to
them. Work is ongoing. For ALSes in Oceania who are interested in engaging
in the Working Group's activities, kindly contact: Save Vocea via
save.vocea at icann.org
Calls are scheduled every fortnight on Wednesdays and we have a call this
week.

Kind Regards,
Sala