Dear Keith,

As directed by the GNSO Council, the EPDP Team has commenced its work on phase 2 by focusing on the development of a work plan and timeline for the phase 2 deliberations.

As part of these discussions, the EPDP Team is also expected to identify whether any additional resources are needed, beyond the traditional support that is provided to GNSO policy development activities, to meet the milestones and timeline proposed. The EPDP Team would like to recognize the critical importance of the additional resources provided for phase 1 in facilitating the deliberations and allowing the EPDP Team to deliver a Final Report within the timeframe provided.

The EPDP Team wants to ensure that any specific resource requests are fiscally responsible by demonstrating clear alignment with the work plan and timeline, as such, some additional time will be needed to formulate any such requests. Nevertheless, there are some immediate resources that the EPDP Team considers crucial in supporting the initial stages of phase 2 and as such we would like to request that the GNSO Council petition the ICANN Board to provide immediate support for the following resources:

·      Continued availability of legal counsel, following the same process and approach in phase 1 (any questions are vetted through the legal committee);

·      Continued support for telecom services and transcriptions, but to reduce costs, transcriptions would have a 72 hour turnaround time (instead of 24 hour);

·      Mediation support for the EPDP Team meetings at ICANN65 in Marrakesh.

Some have also requested that travel support is to be made available for ICANN65 for EPDP Team members who would otherwise not be able to attend and where no alternate is able to step in. We leave it up to the Council’s discretion to determine whether this is a reasonable request to include with the above.

In order to take full advantage of the face-to-face opportunity that Marrakesh offers and minimize conflict with other meetings, we would also like to request support for organizing a one day face-to-face meeting on day zero of ICANN65. A request for such a meeting would need to be made by 26 March at the latest and is subject to approval by ICANN Org as well as availability of facilities. If such a request is granted, this would also require funded travelers to arrive a day earlier than normally foreseen, including an additional hotel night.

We look forward to receiving your feedback. If you have any questions or would like to discuss this request further, please let me know.

Best Regards,

Rafik Dammak

Interim Chair and GNSO Council liaison to the EPDP Team