<html><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html charset=utf-8"></head><body style="word-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; -webkit-line-break: after-white-space;" class=""><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html charset=utf-8" class=""><div style="word-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; -webkit-line-break: after-white-space;" class=""><div class=""><blockquote type="cite" class=""><div class=""><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html charset=utf-8" class=""><div style="word-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; -webkit-line-break: after-white-space;" class=""><div class=""><br class=""><div class=""><br class=""><blockquote type="cite" class=""><div class="">Begin forwarded message:</div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px;" class=""><br class=""></div><div class=""><div class="">
<blockquote type="cite" class="cite" cite="">To: Terri Agnew
<<a href="mailto:terri.agnew@icann.org" class="">terri.agnew@icann.org</a>><br class="">
From: Alan Greenberg <<a href="mailto:alan.greenberg@mcgill.ca" class="">alan.greenberg@mcgill.ca</a>><br class="">
Subject: Re: New gTLD Subsequent Procedures PDP WG: Work Track 5 on
Geographic Names at the Top-Level<br class="">
Cc: Emily Barabas <<a href="mailto:emily.barabas@icann.org" class="">emily.barabas@icann.org</a>>, Steve Chan
<<a href="mailto:steve.chan@icann.org" class="">steve.chan@icann.org</a>>, "<a href="mailto:jeff.neuman@comlaude.com" class="">jeff.neuman@comlaude.com</a>"
<<a href="mailto:jeff.neuman@comlaude.com" class="">jeff.neuman@comlaude.com</a>>, "<a href="mailto:gnso-secs@icann.org" class="">gnso-secs@icann.org</a>"
<<a href="mailto:gnso-secs@icann.org" class="">gnso-secs@icann.org</a>>, "<a href="mailto:avri@apc.org" class="">avri@apc.org</a>"
<<a href="mailto:avri@apc.org" class="">avri@apc.org</a>>, Julie Hedlund <<a href="mailto:julie.hedlund@icann.org" class="">julie.hedlund@icann.org</a>>,
Cheryl Langdon-Orr <<a href="mailto:langdonorr@gmail.com" class="">langdonorr@gmail.com</a>>, At-Large Staff
<<a href="mailto:staff@atlarge.icann.org" class="">staff@atlarge.icann.org</a>><br class=""><br class="">
I am pleased to report that the ALAC has selected Christopher Wilkinson
<<a href="mailto:cw@christopherwilkinson.eu" class="">cw@christopherwilkinson.eu</a>> to be the ALAC-Appointed Co-Leader of
the GNSO's New gTLD Subsequent Procedures PDP Working Group WT5 on
geonames at the top level.<br class=""><br class="">
This appointment notwithstanding, the ALAC is meeting tomorrow to decide
what, if any, formal conditions we are placing on our full participation
in WT5.<br class=""><br class="">
Regards, Alan Greenberg<br class="">
Chair, ALAC<br class=""><br class="">
<br class="">
At 01/08/2017 08:37 PM, Terri Agnew wrote:<br class="">
<blockquote type="cite" class="cite" cite="">** Sending on behalf of
the New gTLD Subsequent Procedures PDP WG co-chairs<br class="">
<br class="">
Dear Alan,<br class="">
<br class="">
On behalf of the New gTLD Subsequent Procedures PDP WG, we write to you
in your capacity as chair of ALAC. This email is in regards to the topic
of geographic names at the top-level, recently discussed during the cross
community sessions at ICANN59. In addition, we want to state our
agreement with the GAC which in its Communique for ICANN59 stated that
any further process of policy review and development should: (a)
continue to allow all stakeholder groups to participate equally; (b) take
into account the history and rationale of the arrangements currently in
place; and (c) apply an evidence-based policy approach to any proposals
for future arrangements in dealing with Geographic Names as Top-Level
Domains. <br class="">
<br class="">
Pursuant to those discussions and the recommendations provided by the
GAC, we are establishing a new Work Track 5 (WT5) within the GNSOs New
gTLD Subsequent Procedures PDP Working Group. This new WT5 will
focus exclusively on geographic names at the top-level. In order to
promote broad participation from across the community, we are seeking to
establish a shared leadership model in WT5. We are requesting that one
representative from each of the ALAC, ccNSO, GAC and GNSO be nominated
(through whatever mechanism is deemed appropriate by each group) to serve
as a co-leader of WT5 by <b class="">August 18, 2017.</b> <br class="">
<br class="">
We are aware that some members of the community are concerned about this
topic being addressed under the auspices of a GNSO PDP WG. That said, we
are also aware of recommendations from the recently concluded CCWG on the
Use of Country and Territory Names that the work should be consolidated
into a single community-wide initiative moving forward as opposed
to having each SO and AC working on recommendations
independently. <br class="">
<br class="">
As such, we are strongly recommending that the leaders of WT5 operate WT5
similarly to a cross community working group, ensuring that each SO and
AC participate equally to achieve consensus on any recommendations
proposed by the Work Track. While we believe that ultimately, it
will be up to WT5 itself to draft the terms of reference for WT5 and
determine its structure and operating procedures, we recommend that the
co-leaders discuss these issues with the PDP co-chairs and staff first in
order to frame the issues and structure for the group. Setting up this
arrangement within the GNSO PDP seems to strike a balance between
establishing an inclusive and collaborative structure while maintaining
the ability to develop policy as determined by ICANNs Bylaws. After the
co-leaders are appointed and have had a chance to discuss plans, we will
issue a call to each of the SOs and ACs seeking volunteers from the
community to participate in WT5. <br class="">
<br class="">
We hope that you support our proposed multi-stakeholder approach to work
with the community in addressing a topic that is clearly of great
importance to many. We hope to be able to organize an introductory
meeting the first week of September 2017, in order to allow the
co-leaders to come to agreement on WT5s draft terms of reference .
Finally, while we as co-chairs of the overall PDP WG support WT5s
independence, we nevertheless remain available to facilitate and provide
assistance to the co-leaders as the need or desire arises.<br class="">
<br class="">
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to
us.<br class="">
<br class="">
Best regards,<br class="">
Avri Doria and Jeff Neuman<br class="">
</blockquote></blockquote></div>
</div></blockquote></div><br class=""></div></div></div></blockquote></div><br class=""></div></body></html>