I’m just back from London where Sally, Olaf and I met with what has been called by some the “I* group” –the CEO’s and Chairs of the various technical organizations that are crucial to the ongoing evolution and innovation of the Internet including the IAB, IETF, ICANN, W3C, the Regional Internet Registries (RIRs) and organizations related to top-level domains(TLDs)[1]. We have convened these gatherings from time to time to share information and to get a better understanding of each other’s point of view.
Last week’s meeting was a timely one. A long list of issues touching on the technical aspects of the Internet were of interest and were discussed. Paul Wilson’s APNIC blogpost lays out the list quite well. I found it most helpful to hear both different perspective on the various issues as well as a common direction–toward the future.
The Internet Assigned Numbers Authority (IANA) transition issues were also on the minds of many. There was a strong sense in the meeting that we are at an important point in the community work. I was gratified that there was unanimous support for the ongoing community consensus building that will result in a community-driven plan. The key to a successful outcome of a community plan, in my opinion, lies in the faithful adherence to the multi-stakeholder processes adopted by the community and the bottom-up consensus reached through that process. Other attendees of the meeting have offered their perspectives of the meeting and their current thinking including the IETF Chair Jari Arkko, IAB Chair Andrew Sullivan, the NRO (the Regional Internet Registries (RIRs) and APNIC’s Paul Wilson. It is important, given the tremendous efforts made by many participants in this process across the globe that the process be allowed to finish and that the results be respected and accepted. ISOC fully expects the Plan to meet the criteria set forth by NTIA and remains optimistic that the transition will go forward in a timely way.
The participants at the meeting also had an important exchange about our mutual interests in ensuring that the traditional multi-lateral UN process be open and inclusive. In the 10 years since Tunis, the Internet community has grown and matured. Users need to be in the center of discussions about the continued deployment and evolution of the Internet and thus the relevant stakeholders–including the technical community–must be part of the dialogue and decision making.
Finally, and importantly, there was support to make the Internet Governance Forum (IGF) in Brazil a success and for the extension of the mandate for the IGF. For ISOC this remains one of its highest priorities this year. We discussed how we can and will work together with our Brazilian hosts and with the global community to advance the work of the IGF in Brazil and beyond.
[1] Participating organizations included: AFRINIC, AFTLD, APNIC, APTLD, ARIN, CENTR, IAB, ICANN, IETF, Internet Society, LACNIC, LACTLD, RIPE NCC, W3C.