Dear Councillors, Working group and Committee Chairs,

I hope and wish that everyone is healthy and safe and that all your registries are fully operational!

With situation around COVID-19 escalating quickly and many countries being at lockdown, it is highly likely that ICANN68 will be a remote-only meeting too. How should we proceed?

If we wish to maintain the ccNSO as the global platform for ccTLDs, we need to begin preparations as early as possible. Meeting Programme Committee already had a call this week; they looked back at the lessons from ICANN67 and started thinking about ICANN68. The ccNSO Council also has started thinking about possible ways to ensure that the ccNSO remains effective during this difficult time.

As we did for ICANN67, we will schedule a call to discuss, inter alia:

• What have we learned from the virtual ICANN67?
• What meetings definitely need to be held within the time-boundaries of ICANN68 – and what are criteria for determining this,
• What meetings should be held, but not necessarily within the time-boundaries of iCANN68? (For example, as webinars)
• Which meetings can / should be deferred until the next face-to-face meeting,
• Additional sessions/meetings to be held (update webinars, informational calls, etc.),
• Contribution(s) to Plenary sessions etc.

Would Tuesday, April 7, 12 UTC work for you?

After this initial conversation and further clarification from ICANN Org, we will also need to discuss challenges such as time zones and community engagement and if there are any additional requirements with respect to format of those sessions we will be having virtually.

Have a nice weekend, stay healthy and safe!

Kind regards,

]{atrina