[council] Letter from the GAC in response to GNSO request for advice on new gTLDs

[Bruce Tonkin]

From: Chair, GAC

To: Chair, GNSO Council


Dear Mr. Tonkin,

I am writing to follow up on our initial exchange of letters in October,
2006 regarding the GNSO's interest in receiving input from the GAC on
the draft Recommendations for the Introduction of new gTLDs.  I have
consulted with Suzanne Sene, convenor of the GAC GNSO Working Group, and
other GAC members in developing this communication, and am pleased to
share the following information.

The GAC is looking forward to learning more about the GNSO's work on new
gTLDs during the workshop scheduled for December 4 during the week of
ICANN meetings in Sao Paulo, Brazil.  The GNSO's draft Recommendations
have been circulated to the entire GAC list in preparation for that
session and I would be pleased to distribute any other relevant
information the GNSO can make available to the GAC prior to the Sao
Paulo meeting.

As noted in the GAC Communique from our June, 2006 meeting in Marrakech,
Morocco, we are continuing our work on broad Principles that will
reflect a consensus perspective on the public policy aspects related to
the introduction of new gTLDs.  As we expect to discuss a revised
version of the GAC draft Principles during the December, 2006 Sao Paulo
meeting, it is possible that the GAC may agree to an exchange of views
on a draft text between the GAC and the GNSO Council at that time.

I understand that such an exchange has been scheduled for December 7,
and believe we could constructively use some of the allocated time for
that meeting to consider a range of options for interactions between the
GAC and the GNSO, with a particular focus on our respective timeframes
and internal processes.

Thank you again for your initiative in reaching out to the GAC, and for
sharing the text of the draft GNSO Recommendations.  We welcome the
opportunity afforded by the workshop and joint GAC-GNSO meeting in Sao
Paulo to advance our understanding of the GNSO's work in this critical
policy area.

Sincerely,

Sharil Tarmizi