Dear all,
Included is the final version of the issues Report. It now includes General Counsel’s opinion. On the basis of this report the members of the Council are requested to:  

• Take a vote whether or not to initiate the IDN ccPDP;
• Determine whether or not to convenes a taskforce as defined in Annex B of the ICANN Bylaws;
• To approve the suggested  PDP Time Line.
  

Kind regards,
Bart


Initiation of the IDN ccPDP
Firstly you are requested to resolve to initiate the IDN ccPDP.

The recommendation is to initiate the IDN ccPDP (see section 2.5 if the Issues Report).

According to Annex B section 3:
The Council shall decide whether to initiate the PDP as follows:

    a. Within 21 days after receipt of an Issue Report from the Issue Manager, the Council shall vote on whether to initiate the PDP. Such vote should be taken at a meeting held in any manner deemed appropriate by the Council, including in person or by conference call, but if a meeting is not feasible the vote may occur by e-mail.

    b. A vote of ten or more Council members in favor of initiating the PDP shall be required to initiate the PDP provided that the Issue Report states that the issue is properly within the scope of the ICANN mission statement and the ccNSO Scope.


Appointment of Working Groups
Secondly, you are requested to resolve whether or not to appoint a taskforce (Section 4 of the Issues Report).  

The recommendation is not to appoint a taskforce, but to appoint two working groups as suggested in the Issues Report, and collect information in accordance with section 8 of Annex B. The two working groups are considered to be other steps to assist in the PDP ( Annex B section 8 b).

According to Annex B section 4 of the ICANN Bylaws.
At the meeting of the Council where the PDP has been initiated (or, where the Council employs a vote by e-mail, in that vote) pursuant to Item 3 above, the Council shall decide, by a majority vote of members present at the meeting (or voting by e-mail), whether or not to appoint a task force to address the issue.

If the Council votes:

    b. Against convening a task force, then it shall collect information on the policy issue in accordance with Item 8 below.

According to section 8 Annex B of the Bylaws

• Each Regional Organization shall, within the time designated in the PDP Time Line, appoint a representative to solicit the Region's views on the issue. Each such representative shall be asked to submit a Regional Statement to the Issue Manager within the time designated in the PDP Time Line;
• The Council may, in its discretion, take other steps to assist in the PDP, including, for example, appointing a particular individual or organization, to gather information on the issue or scheduling meetings for deliberation or briefing. All such information shall be submitted to the Issue Manager within the time designated in the PDP Time Line.
• The Council shall formally request the Chair of the GAC to offer opinion or advice.
  

PDP Time Line
Thirdly, and finally, you are requested to resolve to approve the PDP Time Line as suggested (section 5 of the Issues Report).

According to Annex B section 4 of the Bylaws:
The Council shall also, by a majority vote of members present at the meeting or voting by e-mail, approve or amend and approve the PDP Time Line set out in the Issue Report.