Dear Colleagues, I respectfully submit my *GAC Liaison Report for the December 2025 ALAC Monthly Call*, circulated ahead of today’s meeting. With thanks for adjusting the meeting schedule to better accommodate Central European volunteers noted in my previous message, I would like to draw your attention in particular to the *action points highlighted in the report*, which require ALAC input. *Key action items for ALAC consideration include:* 1. *January 8 ALAC–GAC Regulatory Developments Briefing Session (WSIS+20)* Input and feedback are invited on the proposed agenda and structure for the 8 January 2026 session focusing on the outcomes of the WSIS+20 UN General Assembly High-Level Meeting. In particular, expressions of interest are sought from ALAC members willing to take the floor for a *10-minute intervention* on At-Large perspectives regarding WSIS+20 takeaways, priorities, and expectations. 2. *ICANN 85 ALAC–GAC Bilateral Agenda* Feedback is requested on the proposed scope of the ALAC–GAC bilateral meeting at ICANN 85. Specifically, do we wish to *revisit DNS abuse and WSIS+20* in the bilateral format, given recent and forthcoming exchanges on these topics, or should *alternative or additional issues* be prioritised to maximise the added value of the session? The full report is available on the *GAC Liaison webpage <https://icann-community.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/atlarge/pages/99710696/GAC+Liaison+Reports>* and *below for ease of reference*. I look forward to your guidance and to discussing these points during today’s call. -- Kind regards, Joanna Kulesza ------------------- Joanna Kulesza, PhD Professor of International Law Lodz Cyber Hub / University of Lodz Law School / Poland www.cyber.uni.lodz.pl (EURALO ALS 341) ALAC / EURALO / ALAC Liaison to the GAC --- *GAC Liaison Report: ALAC Monthly Call* *By:* Joanna Kulesza, EURALO, ALAC Liaison to the GAC *Reporting Period:* December 2025 *Submitted:* 16 December 2025 ------------------------------ *1. WSIS+20 UN General Assembly High-Level Meeting Outcomes – January ALAC–GAC Briefing* In preparation for the *ALAC–GAC Regulatory Developments Briefing Session scheduled for 8 January 2026 (60 minutes)*, this section outlines the objectives, speakers, and timing of a dedicated session focusing on the outcomes of the *WSIS+20 UN General Assembly High-Level Meeting (16–17 December 2025)*. *Session Overview* *Title:* WSIS+20 UN General Assembly High-Level Meeting Outcomes *Date*: 8 January 2026, 16:00 UTC for 60 minutes The session will facilitate a structured exchange between ALAC, the GAC, and ICANN Org on the implications of WSIS+20 for Internet governance, with particular emphasis on end-user interests, the multistakeholder model, and ICANN’s technical coordination role. *Proposed Agenda and Speakers* 1. *Opening and Context Setting (5 minutes)* *Joanna Kulesza, ALAC Liaison to the GAC* Overview of session objectives, the WSIS+20 mandate, and the UN General Assembly High-Level Meeting process. 2. *WSIS+20 Outcomes – GAC Perspective (10 minutes)* *Zeina Bouharb, GAC (tbc)* Governmental perspective on WSIS+20 outcomes, including implications for multistakeholder governance, public policy priorities, and ICANN’s role within the broader UN digital cooperation landscape. 3. *Governmental Engagement and UN Processes (20–25 minutes)* *Alexey Trepykhalin, GAC Governmental Engagement Team* Assessment of WSIS+20 outcomes in the context of ongoing UN digital governance initiatives, including linkages with the Global Digital Compact and anticipated next steps at the intergovernmental level. 4. *Q&A and Interactive Discussion (10–15 minutes)* Moderated exchange between ALAC and GAC participants on areas of convergence, open issues, and opportunities for coordinated follow-up. 5. *Summary and Wrap-Up (5 minutes)* Key takeaways, identification of *next steps, and proposed coordination between ALAC and the GAC.* *References (Advance Reading)* 1. UN DESA, *WSIS+20 Process and Timeline* https://dig.watch/processes/wsis20-process 2. UN General Assembly, *WSIS+20 High-Level Meeting Overview* https://publicadministration.desa.un.org/wsis20/GA%20High-Level-Meeting 3. UN DESA, *WSIS+20 Zero Draft Outcome Document* https://publicadministration.desa.un.org/sites/default/files/2021-04/2025/WS... 4. ICANN, *ICANN’s Commitment to WSIS+20: Progress and Opportunities* (5 February 2025) https://www.icann.org/en/blogs/details/icanns-commitment-to-wsis20-progress-... 5. ICANN, *WSIS+20 Outreach Network* https://www.icann.org/en/government-engagement/wsis20-outreach-network ------------------------------ *2. GAC Correspondence: Protections for Names and Acronyms of Intergovernmental Organizations (IGOs) in gTLDs* On *12 December 2025*, the GAC submitted formal correspondence to the ICANN Board and ICANN Org concerning updated criteria and processes for the protection of *IGO names and acronyms at the second level in new gTLDs* (see: https://gac.icann.org/contentMigrated/protections-for-names-and-acronyms-of-... ). *Key elements include:* · Updated criteria and procedures for adding and removing IGOs from the protection list, including qualification standards and list maintenance mechanisms. · A proposed moratorium on protections for IGO acronyms pending final implementation of relevant PDP Working Group recommendations. · Ongoing consideration of whether reserved IGO identifiers should be included in String Similarity Evaluations in the Next Round of new gTLDs. The correspondence recalls principles articulated in the Dublin Communiqué and requests guidance from the ICANN Board on engagement modalities where applications may conflict with reserved IGO identifiers. ------------------------------ *3. GNSO Council Review of the Dublin GAC Communiqué – Issues of Relevance to End Users* On *15 December 2025*, the GNSO Council transmitted its review of the Dublin GAC Communiqué, outlining intersections with current and planned gTLD policy work ( https://gac.icann.org/advice/correspondence/incoming/20251215/gnso-council-r...). *Key issues of relevance to end users include:* *a. DNS Abuse* The GNSO confirms DNS abuse as a priority area, referencing follow-up work to the Preliminary Issue Report, including associated-domain checks, unrestricted API access, and coordination on DGA-based abuse. Effective mitigation is directly linked to end-user trust and security in the DNS. *b. Accuracy of Registration Data* The review addresses concerns regarding the timeliness and effectiveness of registration data validation and verification, noting ongoing work by the Accuracy Small Team and its relevance to accountability and consumer protection. *c. Urgent Requests for Disclosure of Registration Data* The GNSO acknowledges continued coordination on urgent disclosure mechanisms for cases involving serious threats, while noting that further positions are pending the outcome of relevant public comment processes. The GNSO positions its review *as an invitation for continued engagement with the GAC to align public policy concerns, technical feasibility, and end-user interests*. ------------------------------ *4. Scheduling and Draft Agenda for the ALAC–GAC Bilateral Meeting at ICANN 85 * This item outlines the proposed scheduling and draft agenda for the *ALAC–GAC bilateral meeting at ICANN 85*, to be held early in the meeting week to inform subsequent discussions. *Draft Agenda (60 minutes)* 1. *Opening and Introductions* o ALAC Chair (5 minutes) o GAC Chair (5 minutes) 2. *DNS Abuse (tbc)* o ALAC perspective (10 minutes) o GAC perspective (10 minutes) 3. *WSIS+20: Looking Ahead **(tbc)* o ALAC perspective (10 minutes) o GAC perspective (10 minutes) 4. *Discussion and Conclusions* o Q&A and identification of common positions and next steps (5 minutes) o Agreement on follow-up actions (5 minutes) The bilateral could once again focus on DNS abuse and WSIS+20, with the objective of informing strengthening coordination between ALAC and the GAC. *Feedback is explicitly sought from ALAC members* on the proposed scope and agenda, in particular: · whether DNS abuse and WSIS+20 should be discussed again in the bilateral format, given recent and upcoming ALAC–GAC exchanges on these topics; and · whether alternative or additional issues should be prioritised to maximise the added value of the ICANN 85 bilateral. This feedback will inform finalisation of the agenda and speaker balance.