Sorry, you need to enable JavaScript to visit this website.
Skip to main content

ALAC Statement on the Request For Written Community Feedback - Geographic Regions Working Group Recommendations

Last Updated:
Date

Introduction

Tijani Ben Jemaa, ALAC member from the African Regional At-Large Organization (AFRALO) and ALAC Leadership Team member, composed an initial draft of this Statement [PDF, 228 KB] after discussion of the topic within At-Large and on the Mailing Lists.

On 28 December 2013, this Statement was posted on the At-Large Request For Written Community Feedback - Geographic Regions Working Group Recommendations Workspace.

On 13 December 2013, Olivier Crépin-Leblond, Chair of the ALAC, requested ICANN Policy Staff in support of the ALAC to send a Call for Comments on the Recommendations to all At-Large members via the ALAC-Announce Mailing list.

On 9 January 2014, a version incorporating the comments received was posted on the aforementioned workspace and the Chair requested that Staff open an ALAC ratification vote on the proposed Statement.

On 15 January 2014, Staff confirmed that the online vote resulted in the ALAC endorsing the Statement with 14 votes in favor, 0 votes against, and 0 abstentions. You may review the result independently under: http://www.bigpulse.com/pollresults?code=36347CwXIhyQBE4faXXf2rrF

Summary

  1. The ALAC supports the recommendation for ICANN to adopt a more rigorous approach by re-defining a clear and consistent classification framework that assigns countries and territories to regions. Nevertheless, it would be helpful if the way and the criteria for such re-definition were suggested.
  2. The ALAC strongly supports that ICANN must acknowledge the Sovereignty and right of self-determination of States to let them choose their region of allocation and request, if they so desire, a move to another geographic region.
  3. When we speak about geography, we are speaking about regions, and the ALAC doesn't believe that the geographic regions could be in any case built on other consideration than the regional one. The cultural and linguistic diversity are important but can't impact the geographic regions framework. If we want it to be regions plus culture plus language, we have to call it diversity, not geographic regions.
  4. The ALAC supports the recommendation to amend the bylaws to modify the present requirement for review of the Geographic Regions from three years period to five.