Hi All,

        I second Gaurav Kansal for the RSSAC Delegate role to the ICANN Nominating Committee. His strong technical knowledge , particularly from the India Public DNS , demonstrates his firm grasp of DNS and cybersecurity. Importantly, he also has hands-on experience in selecting leaders through his work with the ICANN Fellowship Committee and the ASO Address Council . His involvement in global and regional platforms further highlights his commitment to ensuring diverse perspectives shape Internet governance decisions. He would be an excellent choice from the RSSAC Community.

Regards,
Sachchidanand Upadhyay

On Thu, Apr 24, 2025 at 3:37 PM Gaurav Kansal via rssac-caucus <rssac-caucus@icann.org> wrote:

Dear RSSAC Community,

I am writing this as a formal submission for a nomination for the position of RSSAC Delegate to the ICANN Nominating Committee (NomCom) for the 2025-2027 term. With my experience in technical leadership, Internet governance, and promotion of regional and international inclusion, I believe my diverse experience would provide a valuable contribution to the NomCom and the greater ICANN community.

Key Experience and Skills

  • Technical Leadership and DNS Expertise:
    As a Joint Director (IT) at NIC, I am the technical lead of the India Public DNS (available over 1.10.10.10 & 2409::1), which serves millions of users across India and is required to ensure the infrastructure is strong enough, as it relates to national cybersecurity and digital inclusivity, so that millions of users can access the Internet. I have sufficient technical knowledge of DNS and global Internet infrastructure to be of use in evaluating candidates applying for technical leadership positions for ICANN.

  • ICANN Fellowship Selection Committee:
    I have served a term as a member of the ICANN Fellowship Selection Committee and am serving the second tenure, and have experience selecting people who will be useful to ICANN and contribute to ICANN Mission. This experience has allowed me to gain experience in a merits based selection process of a transparent nature, and I know what and how to assess relevant candidates to ensure that there is capacity to deliver and be selected as a person, and provide the best people for critical ICANN positions that will help ensure ICANN's future.

  • Global Governance and Policy Development (ASO Address Council / NRO Number Council):
    My experience serving as a member of the ASO Address Council and NRO Number Council has drawn me into policy making relating to global Internet number resources, and I also have the experience of selecting ICANN Board Members as ASO AC select seat 9 and 10 of the ICANN Board. With these experiences under my belt, I am instilled with a considerable understanding of ICANN’s governance framework and can identify with any policy developmental concern from that governance structure. Therefore, I can appropriately apply my involvement in global policy relating to managing critical global Internet infrastructure using a broad and globally rational perspective in a NomCom selection process.

  • Regional Advocacy and Inclusivity:
    In addition, as Co-Chair of APNIC’s NIR SIG, I advocated for regional inclusiveness and capacity building in the Asia-Pacific region. I am extremely appreciative of regional perspectives in the global Internet governance process, and I am committed to ensuring that regional voices are heard throughout the global Internet governance decision making process. This makes me a strong fit for the NomCom’s charge to promote and maintain geographically balanced representation among interested stakeholders occupying leadership positions.

How I Will Contribute to the NomCom

  • Bringing Technical Insight:
    I can provide a technical perspective to the process of assessing candidates for leadership roles in Internet policy, operations and governance with my experience not only in DNS architecture but by executing national infrastructure projects where I was in charge of security and wireless.

  • Experience in Merit-based Selection:
    I have experience on the committee for selection of ICANN Fellows and selecting ICANN Board Members (as part of ASO AC) with a consistent approach for all selection based on acceptable merit, diversity and community needs of the ICANN community. This will strengthen the NomCom mission of filling leadership roles with people who align with ICANN's values and future.

  • Advocating for Global and Regional Representation:
    My experience with APNIC and global Internet governance bodies has inspired me to advocate for decent and fair regional representation; I will ensure that NomCom’s process represents a diverse range of perspectives from underrepresented regions especially in the Asia-Pacific region.

Relevant Public Contributions

  • India Public DNS Project:
    I was instrumental in the deployment and management of the India Public DNS. This service is used by millions of users across all of India. More info about my work on it can be found on my ICANNWiki profile.

  • Blogging on ICP-2 and Regional Inclusivity:
    On a regular basis, I write blogs and articles on topics concerning internet governance, including ones such as ICP-2 (Internet Governance in India) to regional internet governance. I believe in transparent and inclusive governance, and I have written blog posts calling for regional internet governance in the Asia-Pacific to be more inclusive and open to collaboration with stakeholders--working with the channels that are out there like APNIC's RIR SIG.

  • APNIC NIR SIG Co-Chair:
    As Co-Chair of APNIC's NIR SIG, I regularly engage stakeholders, both internationally and at the regional level, about the evolution of internet governance policy at the regional level with internet governance policies in the Asia-Pacific region; this is something I believe NomCom would benefit by considering in their goal of identifying people of different backgrounds who have different perspectives.


Conclusion

I am thrilled at the prospect of using my skills, knowledge, and experience as an RSSAC Delegate on the ICANN Nominating Committee. As a technical expert in the DNS, someone who works in global governance and believes in regional diversity and inclusiveness, I believe I will bring value to the NomCom process and support the continual growth and development of the ICANN community. 

I appreciate your consideration of my nomination and look forward to contributing to the future success of ICANN. Thank you and I look forward to your response.


Best regards,
Gaurav Kansal
📧 contact@gauravkansal.in | gkansal.me@gmail.com 
🌐 www.gauravkansal.in  |  🌐 blog.gauravkansal.in

🔗 LinkedIn | ICANNWiki Profile



On Fri, 28 Mar 2025 at 17:29, Ozan Sahin via rssac-caucus <rssac-caucus@icann.org> wrote:

Dear RSSAC Caucus members,

 

It is time to begin the selection process for the RSSAC Delegate to the ICANN Nominating Committee (NomCom). The role is a two-year term beginning at the conclusion of the Annual General Meeting to be held during ICANN84 in October 2025. Please refer to this page for more information about the Nominating Committee. I have also copied below the relevant sections from “RSSAC000v9: Operational Procedures” for your reference.

 

With this notice, a one-month nomination period via this distribution list is now open. Nominations or self-nominations will be accepted and require a second. Nominees must then accept or decline their nomination and may provide a statement with more context for their decision. The nomination period will close at 23:59 UTC on Monday, 28 April 2025. The RSSAC will then consider the slate of candidates during its May teleconference.

 

According to the Section 27.5(e) of ICANN Bylaws, “For the Nominating Committee with a term commencing at the conclusion of ICANN General Meeting in 2025, only those seats identified in this Section 27.5(a)(i)-(iii) shall be filled, each for a two-year term. No person who served either or both of the Nominating Committees with terms ending at the ICANN Annual General Meeting in 2024 and 2025 shall be eligible for appointment to this term.” Therefore, Rao Naveed Bin Rais, who served on the 2024 ICANN NomCom as the RSSAC liaison, and Erum Welling, who has been serving on the 2025 ICANN NomCom as the RSSAC delegate, are ineligible for this appointment.

 

The RSSAC Leadership appreciates your consideration. Please do not hesitate to contact the RSSAC Chair and Vice Chair or support staff with any questions or concerns.

 

Best,

Ozan Sahin on behalf of

Jeff Osborn, RSSAC Chair and Ken Renard, RSSAC Vice Chair

 

 

1.2.7.6 Outgoing RSSAC Delegate to the ICANN Nominating Committee

 

The outgoing RSSAC Delegate to the ICANN Nominating Committee is specified in the ICANN Bylaws. The term for the outgoing RSSAC Liaison to the ICANN Nominating Committee shall be two years. No individual may serve as a delegate for more than two terms. In addition, no individual may serve in consecutive terms. An individual will only be eligible to serve a second term as a delegate on the Nominating Committee if a minimum of two years has elapsed between the end of their term and the beginning of the term for which they are being selected. The RSSAC must elect the outgoing RSSAC Liaison to the ICANN Nominating Committee according to the outgoing RSSAC liaisons election procedure (Section 1.2.7.9) from the members of the RSSAC Caucus.

 

The outgoing RSSAC Liaison to the ICANN Nominating Committee acts as a conduit between the RSSAC and the ICANN Nominating Committee reporting on matters that need to be coordinated or communicated between the two bodies. The role requires discretion, management skills, and considerable time commitment.

 

1.2.7.9 Outgoing RSSAC Liaison Election Procedure

 

One month prior to each election, nominations will be accepted for the outgoing liaison position and announced on the RSSAC distribution list. During the meeting that includes election of an outgoing liaison position on its announced agenda, additional nominations will be accepted, and all nominees will indicate their intentions: to accept or to decline their nomination.

The RSSAC uses ranked choice voting, as outlined in Section 1.4.3 for electing outgoing liaison positions. In the event that only one candidate is standing for election, the RSSAC may elect the new outgoing liaison by acclamation.

The RSSAC Chair will forward the name of the outgoing liaison-elect to the reciprocating body.

If a vacancy exists in an outgoing liaison role, the RSSAC will elect a new outgoing liaison through this process.

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--
Thanks & Regards
Sachchidanand Upadhyay