Dear Councilors,

During the February 2026 GNSO Council meeting, Support Staff captured the following action item re: Next Steps for SSAD Recommendations:  

Council Leadership to propose a draft letter to send to the Board, summarizing the dialogue and emphasizing the message that the Council, in recommending the Board consider non-adoption of the SSAD recommendations, does not intend to throw any recommendations away, that it will complete the work in a timely manner (e.g., less than one year), and provide brief rationale for why the suggested path is preferable.

Council Leadership is proposing this draft letter, which endeavors to include the above points, to be sent to the Board early next week prior to ICANN85: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1c3sgy18x3TR0VjOznwfRJVXns6dvAlHUM92L51BTQDM/edit?usp=sharing.

Deadline for review: If you have any comments or concerns on the draft, please provide them by Thursday, 26 February.

Thank you.

Best regards,

Caitlin on behalf of Council Leadership