<div dir="auto"><p style="margin:0px;font-family:calibri,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:16px;background-color:rgb(255,255,255)">Dear Everyone,</p><p style="margin:0px;font-family:calibri,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:16px;background-color:rgb(255,255,255)"><br></p><p style="margin:0px;font-family:calibri,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:16px;background-color:rgb(255,255,255)">I have been following discussions and comments on the release of <a href="http://o.com/" style="text-decoration-line:none;color:rgb(66,133,244)">o.com</a>. Thanks to the BC volunteers for helping in drafting the BC comment.</p><p style="margin:0px;font-family:calibri,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:16px;background-color:rgb(255,255,255)"><br></p><p style="margin:0px;font-family:calibri,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:16px;background-color:rgb(255,255,255)">Contributing on behalf of AfICTA, AfICTA has been engaged in ICANN since 2012 representing the views and perspectives of concerned African ICT Associations and professionals.</p><p style="margin:0px;font-family:calibri,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:16px;background-color:rgb(255,255,255)"> </p><p style="margin:0px;font-family:calibri,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:16px;background-color:rgb(255,255,255)">AfICTA supports the release of the trial of <a href="http://o.com/" style="text-decoration-line:none;color:rgb(66,133,244)">o.com</a> as proposed in the RSEP and .com Registry amendment.</p><p style="margin:0px;font-family:calibri,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:16px;background-color:rgb(255,255,255)"><br></p><p style="margin:0px;font-family:calibri,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:16px;background-color:rgb(255,255,255)">We understand the need to recognize prior rights to ensure that the allocation of single letters can progress and that the use of the auction funds should support and contribute to the broader ICANN community.</p><p style="margin:0px;font-family:calibri,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:16px;background-color:rgb(255,255,255)"> </p><p style="margin:0px;font-family:calibri,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:16px;background-color:rgb(255,255,255)">While AfiCTA supports the general areas identified by the original Working Group on Reserved Names, we also note that capacity development should be defined broadly to also support participation in ICANN and related activities.</p><p style="margin:0px;font-family:calibri,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:16px;background-color:rgb(255,255,255)"> </p><p style="margin:0px;font-family:calibri,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:16px;background-color:rgb(255,255,255)">Thank you.</p><p style="margin:0px;font-family:calibri,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:16px;background-color:rgb(255,255,255)"> </p><p style="margin:0px;font-family:calibri,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:16px;background-color:rgb(255,255,255)">Segun Olugbile</p><br><div data-smartmail="gmail_signature"><br></div></div>