Update on Cross-Community Working Group on Country and Territory Names

As noted in a previous update, the C&TN Working Group concluded its

initial deliberations on the first significant element of its work - the

current and future use of two-letter codes as TLDs - at the ICANN Buenos

Aires meeting.

In early August, the WG released a second questionnaire, addressing the

use of 3-letter codes as TLDs. It was transmitted to Chairs of all SOs and

ACs.

The survey closed recently and 32 submissions were received. 

While responses are still being analysed, there has been a particularly

strong response rate from the ccTLD community. 

Although this positive return appears to validate the "questionnaire"

style of consultation of the WG, progress has been slowed by the various

internal processes of each SO and AC and the obvious distractions of the

IANA Transition and ICANN Accountability work. 

While the survey was out for community consultation, the WG maintained a

schedule of near-fortnightly teleconferences.

Most recently, the group's focus was on the further refinement of

consultation mechanisms and the need to ensure harmony with other

initiatives within ICANN that address the use of geographic names.

This included communication between the Chairs of the ccNSO and gNSO

Councils and the Chair of the GAC regarding the GAC's Working Group on the

Protection of Geographic Names in the new gTLD process. On 13 November,

the GAC Chair responded noting the different foci of the Working Groups,

agreed with the importance of achieve consistent frameworks and principles

relating to the use of names with geographical meaning, and undertook to

facilitate greater GAC involvement in the CTNWG.

Upcoming work (via calls in mid-December and mid-January) will involve the

WG going in to "analysis mode", considering the survey responses that have

been received and using these as a basis for subsequent discussions.