Governmental Advisory Committee

Governmental Advisory Committee (GAC)

General Information: For information on the Governmental Advisory Committee, please visit GAC's webpage.

Communiqués: The Governmental Advisory Committee issues communiqués after its meeting to report its activities and recommendations:

• Communiqué - 14 July 2000 (Yokohama meeting)
• Communiqué - 8 March 2000 (Cairo meeting)
• Communiqué - 2 November 1999 (Los Angeles annual meeting)
• Communiqué - 24 August 1999 (Santiago meeting)
• Communiqué - 25 May 1999 (Berlin meeting)
• Communiqué - 2 March 1999 (Singapore organizational meeting)

Other Documents:

• Principles for Delegation and Administration of ccTLDs (23 February 2000)
• Staff Request for Advice of GAC on Definition of Geographic Regions (9 June 2000)

Chairman.

On February 3, 1999, ICANN announced the appointment of Dr. Paul Twomey of Australia as Chairman of the GAC:  ICANN Taps Paul Twomey to Develop and Lead its Governmental Advisory Committee--Australian Internet Leader Brings Wealth of International Expertise to ICANN

Structure and Responsibilities.

The ICANN Bylaws (Article VII, Section 3(b)) describe the Governmental Advisory Committee as follows:

There shall be a Governmental Advisory Committee. The initial chairman of the Governmental Advisory Committee shall be appointed by the Board and shall hold that position until the election of his or her successor; subsequent chairs shall be elected by the members of the Governmental Advisory Committee pursuant to procedures adopted by such members. Membership of the Governmental Advisory Committee shall be open to all national governments. Membership shall also be open to Distinct Economies as recognized in international fora, and multinational governmental organizations and treaty organizations, on the invitation of the Governmental Advisory Committee through its Chair, or on invitation of the ICANN Board. Members of the Governmental Advisory Committee shall appoint one accredited representative to the Committee. The accredited representative of a member must hold a formal official position with the member's public administration. The term "official" includes a holder of an elected governmental office, or a person who is employed by such government, public authority or multinational governmental or treaty organization and whose primary function with such government, public authority or organization is to develop or influence governmental or public policies. The Governmental Advisory Committee should consider and provide advice on the activities of the Corporation as they relate to concerns of governments, particularly matters where there may be an interaction between the Corporation's policies and various laws, and international agreements. The Board will notify the chairman of the Governmental Advisory Committee of any proposal for which it seeks comments under Article III, Section 3(b) and will consider any response to that notification prior to taking action.