December 2025 - Gnso-spirt - lists.icann.org

Initial Issue for discussion
by Jeff Neuman Jan. 5, 2026

Jan. 5, 2026

All, I wanted to raise a topic for the SPIRT Team’s awareness and discussion regarding the current status of the RSP Evaluation Program, particularly the registry system testing component. As you know, the RSP Handbook (https://newgtldprogram.icann.org/sites/default/files/documents/rsp-handbook…) sets out the published timelines for the program, and implementation has been progressing in line with those materials. The Handbook indicated that the results of the RSP Evaluation program would be posted on December 9, 2025. Recently, ICANN indicated that some challenges had arisen with the system testing environment, which in turn affected the timing for posting the list of successful RSPs. At the Public Forum, in response to a question I raised, ICANN’s CEO suggested that any delay would likely be limited to approximately two weeks. ICANN has since posted an updated date of January 30, 2026 for publication of the results. Although this update was not included in the weekly digest, it appears to reflect an adjustment from the previously published schedule. ICANN has noted that this change should not affect its overall readiness for the planned April 2026 application window. However, from a SPIRT perspective, even relatively small timeline shifts may have implications for applicant readiness and predictability—areas that fall directly within our remit. ICANN has also made available information about ongoing updates to the Registry System Testing Platform (https://www.icann.org/en/contracted-parties/registry-operators/registry-sys…) including a list of “known issues” that are being addressed. It may be helpful for SPIRT to better understand the nature of these issues, the anticipated timeframe for resolution, and whether further downstream impacts to applicants or service providers are expected. Given SPIRT’s role in identifying and elevating potential issues that could affect predictability in the program, this seems like an appropriate matter for us to discuss and monitor. A clearer understanding of the situation would help ensure that both the community and prospective applicants have a realistic sense of what to expect as we approach the next application window. Sincerely, Jeffrey J. Neuman Founder & CEO JJN Solutions, LLC +1.202.549.5079 Jeff(a)jjnsolutions.com

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GNSO Council confirmation of Standing Predictability Implementation Review Team (SPIRT) Leadership for 2025-2027
by Terri Agnew Dec. 12, 2025

Dec. 12, 2025

Hi all, During the 11 December 2025 GNSO Council meeting, the GNSO Council approved Jeff Neuman as SPIRT Chair and Cheryl Langdon-Orr and Segunfunmi Olajide as Vice Chairs. You can find the GNSO Council meeting agenda here: https://icann-community.atlassian.net/wiki/x/UKafBg The GNSO Council thanks the members, Chair, and Vice-Chairs for volunteering to serve on the Standing Predictability Implementation Review Team (SPIRT). Thank you. Kind regards, Terri Policy Team Supporting the GNSO

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ANNOUNCEMENT | SPIRT Second Vice-Chair Selection Process Results
by Andrew Chen Dec. 10, 2025

Dec. 10, 2025

Dear SPIRT Members, We are pleased to announce the results of the Standing Predictability Implementation Review Team (SPIRT) second Vice-Chair Selection Process for a 2-year term: Second SPIRT Vice-Chair * SPIRT Vice-Chair: Segunfunmi Olajide A 48-hour objection period now opens and will close on 11 December 2025 at 17:00 UTC. Jeff Neuman, Cheryl Langdon-Orr, and Segunfunmi Olajide’s names will be shared with the GNSO Council if no objections are received by the close of the objection period. Congratulation again to Segunfunmi Olajide. Sincerely, Andrew -- Andrew Chen Policy Development Support Sr. Specialist, Policy Development Support Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) https://www.icann.org/ Microsoft Teams: atchen122

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Re: ANNOUNCEMENT | SPIRT Second Vice-Chair Selection Process Results
by Nitin Walia Dec. 10, 2025

Dec. 10, 2025

Congratulations Segunfunmi Warm Regards Nitin Walia | Director Data Ingenious Global Limited Tel: +91-141-2554970 Fax: +91-141-2554972 LinkedIn Twitter nitin(a)data.in | नितिन(a)xn--c2bd1gb.xn--h2brj9c | https://data.in Celebrating 25 Years of Innovation and Excellence VC: https://bridge01.videomeet.in - room: nitin pwd: 10000 Get email id like me in your own language, download DATAMAIL app from your iOS or android play store. भाषाकीआजादी - Bridging the Digital Divide, Getting Next billion online From: Andrew Chen via Gnso-spirt MailId : [152365635] To: Denise de alcantara-hochbaum via Gnso-spirt Subject: [Gnso-spirt] ANNOUNCEMENT | SPIRT Second Vice-Chair Selection Process Results Date: 09 Dec 2025 10:30:23 pm Dear SPIRT Members, We are pleased to announce the results of the Standing Predictability Implementation Review Team (SPIRT) second Vice-Chair Selection Process for a 2-year term: Second SPIRT Vice-Chair SPIRT Vice-Chair: Segunfunmi Olajide A 48-hour objection period now opens and will close on 11 December 2025 at 17:00 UTC. Jeff Neuman, Cheryl Langdon-Orr, and Segunfunmi Olajide&rsquos names will be shared with the GNSO Council if no objections are received by the close of the objection period. Congratulation again to Segunfunmi Olajide. Sincerely, Andrew -- Andrew Chen Policy Development Support Sr. Specialist, Policy Development Support Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) https://www.icann.org/ Microsoft Teams: atchen122 _______________________________________________ Gnso-spirt mailing list -- gnso-spirt(a)icann.org To unsubscribe send an email to gnso-spirt-leave(a)icann.org Do not Remove: [HID]20251209223023984[-HID] [XGENFOOTER] [-XGENFOOTER]

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ANNOUNCEMENT | SPIRT Leadership Selection Process Results
by Andrew Chen Dec. 8, 2025

Dec. 8, 2025

Dear SPIRT Members, We are pleased to announce the results of the Standing Predictability Implementation Review Team (SPIRT) Leadership Selection Process for 2-year terms: SPIRT Leadership Team * SPIRT Chair: Jeff Neuman * SPIRT Vice-Chair: Cheryl Langdon-Orr Please note, due to a tie between Nefertiti Marquez and Segunfunmi Olajide for the second Vice-Chair position, we will be circulating a second poll for SPIRT members to vote between the tied candidates. Please watch for this poll and cast your vote before its closure on 9 December 2025 at 13:00 UTC. Once the second Vice-Chair has been voted on and announced, a 48-hour objection period will open before these names are shared with the GNSO Council. Congratulation again to Jeff Neuman and Cheryl Langdon-Orr. Sincerely, Andrew -- Andrew Chen Policy Development Support Sr. Specialist, Policy Development Support Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) https://www.icann.org/ Microsoft Teams: atchen122

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Notes and Action Items | SPIRT Meeting #1 | 04 December 2025 at 13:00 UTC
by Saewon Lee Dec. 4, 2025

Dec. 4, 2025

Dear SPIRT, It was a great pleasure meeting you all today. Please see the following outcomes, action items, and high-level notes from today’s Kick-off Meeting on 04 December 2025<https://icann-community.atlassian.net/wiki/x/DACVHQ>. Kind regards, Saewon Key Outcomes, Action Items, and Notes from SPIRT’s Kick-off Meeting – 04 December 2025 at 13:00 UTC<https://icann-community.atlassian.net/wiki/x/DACVHQ> [KEY OUTCOMES] 1. Agreement for a bi-weekly meeting moving forward, in consideration of time zone rotations. 2. Agreement to discuss SPIRT’s scope and remit further moving forward. 3. Agreement for the publicly available Change Log results to be notified also to the SPIRT members directly via the SPIRT mailing list, per the Applicant Guidebook – details and method (if any changes) to be confirmed at a later date. [ACTION ITEMS] 1. SPIRT members to check their membership terms on wiki<https://icann-community.atlassian.net/wiki/x/AQCJHQ> and send email to gnso-secs(a)icann.org<mailto:gnso-secs@icann.org> (SPIRT: term number) if confirmation/change of terms from 2 to 3 years is necessary. 2. SPIRT members that have not participated in the Leadership Selection Processes to vote by today, 04 December 2025, at 21:00 UTC. 3. GNSO Support Staff to send out doodle to secure future bi-weekly meetings, taking the time zone rotations into account. 4. GDS Support Staff to inform the SPIRT members of Change Log notifications once method is established (e.g., SPIRT mailing list) [NOTES] * Retrieve slides from here: https://icann-community.atlassian.net/wiki/x/DACVHQ 1. Welcome and SOIs 2. Membership Terms * See SPIRT Charter here on ‘Membership Model and Criteria’: https://gnso.icann.org/sites/default/files/policy/2025/draft/version2point0… o At least half of the inaugural SPIRT members shall join for an initial term of three (3) years – as of present count, only 11/40 members have chosen 3-year terms. o Those members that only show “2 years” under the term column have not selected which term and need to inform the GNSO Operations Staff. * Action Item: SPIRT members to check their membership terms on wiki<https://icann-community.atlassian.net/wiki/x/AQCJHQ> and send email to gnso-secs(a)icann.org<mailto:gnso-secs@icann.org> (SPIRT: term number) if confirmation/change of terms from 2 to 3 years is necessary. 1. Leadership Status and Next Steps * See SPIRT Charter here on ‘Leadership Structure and Criteria’: https://gnso.icann.org/sites/default/files/policy/2025/draft/version2point0… * Leadership Team selection process is ongoing, and the polls will be open until today, 04 December 2025, at 21:00 UTC. * Action Item: SPIRT members that have not participated in the Leadership Selection Processes to vote by today, 04 December 2025, at 21:00 UTC. 1. Remit and Operations o For details on ‘Membership Model’ and ‘Decision Making,’ see SPIRT Charter here: https://gnso.icann.org/sites/default/files/policy/2025/draft/version2point0… o For more details on Predictability Framework, see in AGB here: https://newgtldprogram.icann.org/sites/default/files/documents/new-gtld-pro… o GDS Staff provided overview on Types of Changes – Minor Operational Change (Type 1), Non-Minor Operational Change (Type 2), Policy Change (Type 3) – and SPIRT involvement in all types, including examples through the slides 10-12. More details can be found in the Predictability Framework<https://newgtldprogram.icann.org/sites/default/files/documents/new-gtld-pro…>. o Discussion on SPIRT’s Remit in relation to RSP Evaluation Program: · Questions were raised on SPIRT’s overall remit and especially in relation to the current status of the RSP Evaluation Program – the delay of the RSP Testing outcome for pre-evaluation – which could potentially impact the overall timeline, and where SPIRT stands on this matter. Points were made that 1) RSP changes may fall under Type 2; 2) the delay of RSP Testing is operational and may have impact on the Program; 3) Operational issues that are not subject to further changes should be under SPIRT’s remit. · Staff noted that the RSP issue has a non-trivial impact on applicants, but this may not need to involve SPIRT, as there is a current standing IRT related to this matter, and also, as the solutioning of this issue, which is non-minor – material impact – potentially deals with the delay of the Next Round, which is not for SPIRT to raise (note: SPIRT does not raise or bring issues to ICANN but another body, such as the Council). · Staff can reach out to the RSP Team, if necessary, asking them to come and speak to SPIRT and give an update. o Question was raised on Change Log and how it will be notified to the SPIRT. Staff noted that details will need to be confirmed at a later date but the notification will most probably be provided via the SPIRT’s mailing list. Per AGB, "ICANN org will document all changes to the Program in a publicly available change log and will set up a publicly archived mailing list for all parties that wish to be notified of Program changes. For non-minor operational changes, ICANN org will inform all applicants directly. Should a change relate to sensitive or security-related issues, information will be redacted as necessary. ICANN org will add any minor operational changes to the Change Log within five business days after implementing it." Staff also noted that there may be inconsistencies between the SPIRT Charter and the Predictability Framework, and in the event of a conflict between the methodology described in this Charter and the procedures set forth in the Predictability Framework, the Predictability Framework will govern. * Outcomes: 1) Agreement for the publicly available Change Log results to be notified also to the SPIRT members directly via the SPIRT mailing list, per the Applicant Guidebook – details and method (if any changes) to be confirmed at a later date; 2) Agreement to discuss SPIRT’s scope and remit moving forward. * Action Item: GDS Support Staff to inform the SPIRT members of Change Log notifications once method is established (e.g., SPIRT mailing list) o Question was raised if the current RST platform will be the same moving forward (during the Round too) and if the Team involved will be increased in numbers. Staff responded that the platform would probably be the same, but it is difficult to determine the necessary resources at this time. o Question was raised on the necessity for a Public Comment, especially regarding Types 2 and 3. It was emphasized that SPIRT does not make any policy and any changes required will follow the GNSO Council’s processes. Thus, Staff responded that the Public Comment is not inserted into the SPIRT’s working processes. o Question was raised on the SPIRT’s decision-making process. Per the Charter, SPIRT will seek non-objection first, followed by assessing consensus within SPIRT, using the GNSO Standard decision-making methodology. Details can be found in the Charter. 1. Cadence of Meetings o Need to establish a fixed rotation of times for scheduling purposes and in consideration of time zones. Agreement to secure meetings on a bi-weekly basis, with rotation, and maybe adding another meeting before the holidays, cancelling on an as needed basis. o SPIRT itself and SPIRT and ICANN org can also hold ad hoc calls when necessary. * Outcome: Agreement for a bi-weekly meeting moving forward, in consideration of time zone rotations. * Action Item: GNSO Support Staff to send out doodle to secure future bi-weekly meetings, taking the time zone rotations into account. 1. AOB · N/A From: Andrew Chen via Gnso-spirt <gnso-spirt(a)icann.org> Reply-To: Andrew Chen <andrew.chen(a)icann.org> Date: Wednesday, December 3, 2025 at 4:00 PM To: "gnso-spirt(a)icann.org" <gnso-spirt(a)icann.org> Subject: [Gnso-spirt] [SPIRT] AGENDA | SPIRT Meeting #1 | 04 December 2025 at 13:00 UTC Dear SPIRT Members, Please find below the proposed agenda for the Standing Predictability Implementation Review Team (SPIRT) meeting #1 on 04 December 2025 at 13:00 UTC. Agenda: 1. Welcome and SOIs 2. Membership Terms 3. Leadership Status and Next Steps 4. Remit and Operations 5. Cadence of Meetings 6. AOB We would like to remind participants that to ensure transparency of participation in ICANN's multistakeholder model, we ask that you sign in to Zoom sessions using your full name. For example, First Name and Last Name or Surname. You may be removed from the session if you do not sign in using your full name. Please do not hesitate to contact us should you have any questions. Sincerely, Andrew -- Andrew Chen Policy Development Support Sr. Specialist, Policy Development Support Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) https://www.icann.org/ Microsoft Teams: atchen122

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Post Call | Standing Predictability Implementation Review Team (SPIRT)| Thursday, 04 December 2025
by Terri Agnew Dec. 4, 2025

Dec. 4, 2025

Dear all, All recordings for the Standing Predictability Implementation Review Team (SPIRT) call held on Thursday, 04 December 2025 at 13:00 UTC can be found on the agenda wiki page <https://icann-community.atlassian.net/wiki/x/DACVHQ> and the GNSO Master calendar<https://gnso.icann.org/en/group-activities/calendar/2025>. These include: * Attendance * Audio recording * Zoom recording (including audio, visual, rough transcript, and chat.) * Transcript * Agenda and Notes/Action Items For additional information, you may consult the mailing list archives<https://lists.icann.org/hyperkitty/list/gnso-spirt@icann.org/> and the main wiki page<https://icann-community.atlassian.net/wiki/x/nwB2HQ>. Thank you. Kind regards, Terri Policy Team Supporting the GNSO

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[SPIRT] AGENDA | SPIRT Meeting #1 | 04 December 2025 at 13:00 UTC
by Andrew Chen Dec. 3, 2025

Dec. 3, 2025

Dear SPIRT Members, Please find below the proposed agenda for the Standing Predictability Implementation Review Team (SPIRT) meeting #1 on 04 December 2025 at 13:00 UTC. Agenda: 1. Welcome and SOIs 2. Membership Terms 3. Leadership Status and Next Steps 4. Remit and Operations 5. Cadence of Meetings 6. AOB We would like to remind participants that to ensure transparency of participation in ICANN's multistakeholder model, we ask that you sign in to Zoom sessions using your full name. For example, First Name and Last Name or Surname. You may be removed from the session if you do not sign in using your full name. Please do not hesitate to contact us should you have any questions. Sincerely, Andrew -- Andrew Chen Policy Development Support Sr. Specialist, Policy Development Support Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) https://www.icann.org/ Microsoft Teams: atchen122

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ACTION NEEDED: POLL OPEN | SPIRT - Leadership Selection Process
by Saewon Lee Dec. 2, 2025

Dec. 2, 2025

Dear SPIRT Team, We have now opened the e-ballot for two (2) processes – SPIRT Chair and Vice-Chair selections – which you should have received in your inbox prior to this message. Please take a moment to participate in the voting processes. This marks the next step in our SPIRT leadership selection process. Once again, the candidates are listed below in the order in which their submissions were received: Volunteers for Chair 1. Cheryl Langdon-Orr 2. Nitin Walia 3. Nefertiti Marquez 4. Jeff Neuman Volunteers for Vice-Chair (Some names overlap with Chair volunteers. Vice-Chair appointments will be determined after the Chair position is finalized) 1. Cheryl Langdon-Orr 2. Segunfunmi Olajide 3. Nitin Walia 4. Nefertiti Marquez 5. Anil Kumar Jain 6. Edmund Brahene 7. Jeff Neuman 8. Mark Wilson 9. Juan Manuel Rojas As mentioned above, the 2 selection processes include overlapping candidates. We kindly request your participation in both. Final rankings will be determined sequentially, with the outcome of one process informing the next. The poll will remain open until Thursday, 4 December at 21:00 UTC, after which the results will be confirmed subject to any objections from the Team submitted via the mailing list within a 2-day window. Thank you once again for your kind cooperation. Much appreciated, Saewon Saewon Lee Policy Development Support Manager for GNSO Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) Mobile: +1 (310) 463-5541 Email: saewon.lee(a)icann.org<mailto:saewon.lee@icann.org> Skype: saewon.lee.icann Website: www.icann.org<http://www.icann.org>

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