Dear all, ICANN issued an update[newgtlds.icann.org]<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__newgtlds.icann.org_en_a...> on the review of the Community Priority Evaluation (CPE) process. Community Priority Evaluation is a method to resolve string contention, described in full detail in section 4.2 of the Applicant Guidebook (AGB)[newgtlds.icann.org]<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__newgtlds.icann.org_en_a...>. The evaluation determines if the community based application qualifies to earn priority and eliminate all non-community applicants in the contention set as well as any other non-prevailing community applicants. In CPE, the application is evaluated against the following four criteria: * Community Establishment; * Nexus between Proposed String and Community; * Registration Policies, * and Community Endorsement. The evaluations were conducted by the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU). The EIU was selected for this role because it offers premier business intelligence services, providing political, economic, and public policy analysis to businesses, governments, and organizations across the globe. At various times in the implementation of the New gTLD Program, the ICANN Board has considered aspects of CPE process, including certain concerns that some applicants have raised regarding the process. On 17 September 2016[icann.org]<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__www.icann.org_resources...>, the ICANN Board directed the President and CEO, or his designees, to undertake a review of the process by which ICANN has interacted with the CPE provider. In his letter of 26 April 2017 to concerned parties[icann.org]<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__www.icann.org_en_system...> [PDF, 405 KB], Chris Disspain, the Chair of the Board Governance Committee, provided additional information about the scope and status of the review. Below is additional information about the review, as well as the current status of the CPE process review. On 2 June 2017[newgtlds.icann.org]<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__newgtlds.icann.org_en_a...>, the ICANN organization published an update on the Review. Below is the current status of the Review since the last update. Current Status of the Review The 2 June 2017 update[newgtlds.icann.org]<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__newgtlds.icann.org_en_a...> made clear that the Review is being conducted in two parallel tracks by FTI Consulting Inc.’s (FTI)[fticonsulting.com]<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__www.fticonsulting.com_&d...> Global Risk and Investigations Practice (GRIP) and Technology Practice. The work of the first track, which focuses on gathering information and materials from the ICANN organization, has been completed. The work of the second track, which focuses on gathering information and materials from the CPE provider, is still ongoing. The interview process of the CPE provider personnel that had involvement in CPEs has been completed. FTI is also working with the CPE provider to obtain the reference materials for the evaluations that are the subject of pending Reconsideration Requests[icann.org]<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__www.icann.org_resources...>. The CPE provider has been producing documents on a rolling basis. FTI is currently evaluating whether the CPE provider’s production is complete. Once the underlying information and data collection is complete, FTI anticipates that it will be able to inform ICANN of its findings within two weeks. Recently, the ICANN Board and the ICANN organization have received numerous inquiries for documentation and information about the Review. These inquiries have been and will continue to be addressed through ICANN’s Documentary Information Disclosure Policy (DIDP), and are published on the DIDP page at https://www.icann.org/resources/pages/governance/transparency-en[icann.org]<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__www.icann.org_resources_pages_governance_transparency-2Den&d=DwMFaQ&c=FmY1u3PJp6wrcrwll3mSVzgfkbPSS6sJms7xcl4I5cM&r=HyTT2ymvadmiQcmo6B088sWOukGjEbibHJ64u5rMiME&m=zVd_O8qyNJ8rUywh4xn3V80txgrHwLHb4FHPsiyUJjU&s=vu0PGYV301UEb7cma_Mbax8UrSVWYLYxLk7wgibalKA&e=>. The ICANN Board recognizes the desire by many to conclude this Review and proceed with the process. The ICANN Board also looks forward to concluding the Review and proceeding as appropriate. For more information about the CPE process, please visit https://newgtlds.icann.org/en/applicants/cpe[newgtlds.icann.org]<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__newgtlds.icann.org_en_applicants_cpe&d=DwMFaQ&c=FmY1u3PJp6wrcrwll3mSVzgfkbPSS6sJms7xcl4I5cM&r=HyTT2ymvadmiQcmo6B088sWOukGjEbibHJ64u5rMiME&m=zVd_O8qyNJ8rUywh4xn3V80txgrHwLHb4FHPsiyUJjU&s=nNGB27AVKIspMnseKAsS2f7_sIdrCCMv3sXBeKWhw8Y&e=>. Read the announcement: https://www.icann.org/news/announcement-2017-09-01-en Best regards, Joke Braeken ccNSO Policy Advisor joke.braeken@icann.org<mailto:joke.braeken@icann.org> Follow @ccNSO on Twitter: https://twitter.com/ccNSO Follow the ccNSO on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ccnso/ http://ccnso.icann.org