ICANN65 Session link: https://65.schedule.icann.org/meetings/1058168

Remarks from the BC Chair - Looking forward to ICANN66 Montreal

On behalf of the ICANN Business Constituency (BC), dedicated to the interests of business users of the Internet and the future of business growth on the Internet, welcome to Montreal and ICANN66!

In 2003, the BC met in Montreal for one of ICANN’s early Public Meetings - ICANN17. After 16 years, we are excited to come back for ICANN66. The BC’s policy efforts related to the European General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and its impact on WHOIS continues to be high on the agenda, and we will discuss recent developments during our public session on Tuesday, 5 November.

In April 2019, the BC submitted comments on Phase I of the GNSO Expedited Policy Development Process (EPDP) on the Temporary Specification for gTLD Registration Data Policy Recommendations to the ICANN Board. We continue to advocate progress towards an “accredited access” system where security researchers and companies can benefit from non-public WHOIS data for legitimate purposes.

The ongoing work of the EPDP will not be the only topic discussed during the ICANN Public Meeting. Other critical issues and priorities include planning for the next expansion of gTLDs; Rights Protection Mechanisms; and use of Auction Proceeds from the last round.

ICANN66 is ICANN’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) of 2019 and will also address outreach, capacity development, and showcasing ICANN’s work to a broader global audience. Recognizing that the Internet affects business registrants and users all over the world, the BC is keen to expand outreach to the global business community.

The BC welcomes all business registrants and users to join us at our meetings in Montreal to learn more about what we do, how business can benefit from the BC representation, and how our members positively engage in the ICANN community. The BC values geographical diversity and involvement of women in the community!

The BC continues to play its part to ensure that ICANN is more transparent and accountable to global Internet users. We remain committed to strengthening the multi-stakeholder model that has helped build the successful, global, and business-friendly Internet we have today. And we look forward to more and deeper engagement of new potential members in different regions of the world: from Cancun to Kuala Lumpur, where the next ICANN meetings will be held. Please reach us if you have any questions about the Business Constituency. We’re always ready to meet and help you engage at ICANN.

Sincerely,
Claudia Selli, Chair