[council] Letter from ICANN Board Chair to GAC Chair on High Level Meeting held in Toronto

[Bruce Tonkin]

From:  http://www.icann.org/en/news/correspondence/crocker-to-dryden-24jan13-en

Heather Dryden
Chair, Governmental Advisory Committee

Dear Heather,

Thank you for providing me, the Board and the ICANN community with the Chair's Summary
report of the High Level Meeting held during ICANN 45 in Toronto.   I know I speak for the
Board when I express strong appreciation for the opportunity to meet with the high level officials
in attendance, both during our formal discussions and informally through the day.  I recognize the
significant commitment and interest shown by high-level officials' decision to attend the meeting,
and to engage openly and constructively with a broad cross section of the ICANN community.

The Chair's report highlights that governments recognize the importance of the multi-stakeholder
model that drives our work as managers of the Internet's unique system of identifiers.  ICANN
understands that the model is not something that we can take for granted, and so we appreciate
governments' support.  We look forward to collaborating with all stakeholders to strengthen and
defend the multi-stakeholder model as we move forward, including by means of our ambitious
globalization initiative.

We recognize governments are a vital component of the ICANN model, and that the GAC must
be an effective mechanism for delivering timely advice on public policy issues related to
ICANN's work, whether in the supporting organizations or by the Board and staff.  Please be
assured that the Board is committed to ongoing improvements in how we work together,
including the implementation of the recommendations delivered by the first accountability and
transparency review.  In that regard, I appreciate the suggestions for the next review that are
contained in the Chair's report. These will be taken into account as the community formulates the
guidelines for the review.

Once again, let me reiterate our appreciation to Canada for hosting the High Level meeting in
Toronto. Please be assured of ICANN's willingness to partner with the GAC should a decision be
taken to hold similar meetings in future.

Sincerely,

Stephen D. Crocker, Chair
ICANN Board of Directors