Dear All, I hope you are doing well. Please find below a summary of recent developments within the ccNSO Council, including highlights from the latest Council Meeting (#217), which took place on Thursday, 15 May 2025. 🔹*Background and supporting documents* Council workspace for this meeting: https://icann-community.atlassian.net/wiki/x/D4wlBg ccNSO correspondence: statements and responses: https://ccnso.icann.org/en/about/statements.htm Zoom recording <https://icann.zoom.us/rec/play/Ukw6vuNynQ1QWuN5QTE1DRNUrwgvsexzpV7d4-b0pcsKR...> *Agenda* <https://icann-community.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/atlarge/pages/99711461/ALA...> In this opportunity, I would like to *highlight* the following topics: - A new application from IDN ccTLD from Sri Lanka was accepted and it is a new member of the ccNSO. - Special Council Election (Europe): Nigel Roberts appointed without election as sole candidate. - Chris Disspain will be the new chair of the Triage Committee. - Guillermo Lama will be the new TLD-OPS Vice Chair - ICANN UA Expert Working Group Nomination: A call for Expressions of Interest has been launched; selection by 30 May 2025. 🔹*How we meet:* Here is a link to the document ccNSO worked on How we meet <https://docs.google.com/document/d/141FfWTZFaPhUDSd1cAmQSN8Xt2VEtczbdH15t5US...> 🔹*PGA Working Group:* This group ended the PGA Final Report <https://docs.google.com/document/d/1ouZnDqzikDxnuhlz5VPw0uWvqdCxX2Giy5mEGN4c...> and the council adopted final review. The 3 topics that group will be working on are: · Maintain an Overview of policies, related guidelines and best practices relevant for ccTLDs. · Establish Study groups on IANA Public Records and disaster recovery. · Implement a Process to document and handle Gaps. 🔹 *Public Comments:* · How we meet <https://docs.google.com/document/d/141FfWTZFaPhUDSd1cAmQSN8Xt2VEtczbdH15t5US...> · RIR’s Governance – by consensus, no comment will be submitted, agreement to monitor impacts and engage informally with ASO. · CSC Changes for amending IANA Naming Service Level Agreement A support comment will be submitted 🔹*Budget Concerns Raised - FY26 approved Budget:* After the discussion at the council meeting, on May 15th., a letter was sent to Xavier Calvez and Kurtis Lindqvist, regarding the ccNSO concerns on the recently approved FY26 ICANN Budget. https://www.icann.org/en/system/files/files/adopted-icann-budget-fy2026-publ... The ccNSO Council and the SOPC expressed concerns regarding the recently approved FY26 ICANN Budget, noting a significant increase in expected funding and expenses—from $142 million in the December 2024 draft to approximately $150 million in the final version. Key issues include the projected 3% increase in transactions, a rise in staffing levels shortly after prior cost-cutting layoffs, and the introduction of major changes after the public comment period. The groups have requested an urgent meeting with ICANN leadership to address these concerns within the 21-day rejection action period. 🔹*Policy Development ccPDP4-IDN and ccPDP3-RM:* ccPDP3-RM likely to be adopted by the Board at ICANN Prague. PDP4 progressing at a faster pace. 🔹*Priorities Moving Forward* - Engage with ICANN leadership regarding the FY26 budget. - Continue advancing work plans across working groups. - Support community involvement in active policy development processes. - Prepare for *ICANN83 in Prague*. Please reach out if you have any questions or would like more information on any of the topics mentioned above. Thank you! Best Regards, *Laura Margolis* ALAC Liaison to ccNSO margolisl@gmail.com Mobile +59899690992 ccNSO Liaison Workspace <https://community.icann.org/display/atlarge/ALAC+Liaison+to+the+ccNSO+Report...> alac.icann.org