Hello All, I have noticed a few newspaper articles and posting on forums like CircleID on how ICNAN is reviewing its policies for Conflicts of Interest and Ethics. I just want to let you know that this is a topic of active discussion on the Board. For example, at the Board Governance Committee meeting on 15 August 2011: http://www.icann.org/en/minutes/minutes-bgc-15aug11-en.htm " 5.Ethics and Conflicts of Interest - The BGC began a discussion on the issues surrounding Board and staff ethics issues. The BGC discussed that as a private sector organization, ICANN is limited in its ability to place restrictions on future employment, though there are many things that ICANN can do to address these concerns, such as continued strict adherence and enforcement of confidentiality provisions. The BGC noted that the conflicts/ethics discussion has been going on within ICANN prior to the approval of the new gTLD program. The BGC agreed that community discussion should occur in Dakar about this issue. Action: Staff to draft proposed guidelines for Board members and staff members, to provide additional information and guidance through the use of examples, for BGC consideration at its September workshop, in preparation for community discussion in October. " This was topic discussed further in the Board Governance Committee last week on Thursday 15 September (I will post information on the resolutions once they are posted on the Board Governance Committee website), and with the Board as a whole on Saturday 17 September. You will see from the minutes above - that this will be a discussion item in Dakar. So just want to reassure that the concerns raised by members of the GNSO Council in Singapore are being followed up, and there will be more to report in Singapore. Regards, Bruce Tonkin