Here's a recap of ICANN meetings in Cartagena last week. Many BC members and officers participated in meetings and workshops lasting from Saturday though Friday. On Monday, the BC posted its newly-approved position regarding new gTLD Guidebook. See http://forum.icann.org/lists/5gtld-guide/msg00026.html BC officers and members argued multiple points of our position in front of the Board, including the public forum on Thursday. ICANN's Government Advisory Committee (GAC) issued their Communique to the Board on Thursday evening (attached). The GAC's top-10 open issues are: 1. Governments don't want to pay fees to object to TLD strings 2. Procedure for sensitive strings 3. Root zone scaling 4. Market and economic impacts 5. Registy-Registrar separation 6. protection of Rights Owners and consumer protection 7. Post-delegation disputes with governments; 8. Use and protection of geographical names; 9. legal recourse for applicants; 10. Providing opportunities for all stakeholders including those from developing countries; Given this strong statement by the GAC, the Board dared not approve the proposed final gTLD Guidebook. The Board did make several decisions at their Friday meeting. These are explained in a 12-minute video interview with Board chair and CEO at the ICANN home page. Board resolutions are at http://icann.org/en/minutes/resolutions-10dec10-en.htm ). 3 key resolutions are summarized below: 1. The Board voted to delay new gTLD launch, pending meeting with the GAC and resolution of several issues, incl geographic names and sensitive strings. - The Board and GAC will meet in Feb-2011 to discuss issues noted in the GAC Communique (see above). - ICANN staff will revise the Guidebook based on comments received and based on the Economic Study Phase II Report. - The Recommendation 6working group is invited to provide proposals on sensitive strings. by 7-Jan-2011. - ICANN staff directed to synthesize results of planned consultations and prepare revised guidebook for Board to vote on launch of the new gTLD program as soon as possible. 2. The Board voted to sign an agreement with ICM to operate the .xxx TLD. Resolutoin included steps to explain decision to GAC in areas where GAC advice was not heeded. 3. The Board approved the ³Jonathan Zuck² resolution to define and set goals for AoC review of the new gTLD program, incl competition, consumer trust and consumer choice in the DNS context. The Board elected Peter Dengate Thrush to continue as Chair thru end of his Board term (Jun-2011). Steve Crocker was elected Vice Chair. --Steve DelBianco, vice chair for policy coordination