Council Of Europe Wants In On ICANN Government Body

The 47-member Council of Europe wants to become an observer in the governmental advisory body of the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) and is pondering on a possible role as secretariat provider for the ICANN’s Governmental Advisory Committee (GAC). ICANN is the technical oversight body for the internet domain name system. Following a declaration adopted by the CoE Council of Ministers on “enhanced participation of member states in internet governance matters” at the end of May, the CoE secretary general is now asked to “arrange that the CoE becomes an observer at ICANN’s GAC.” ICANN is seen by the CoE, who in recent years did address internet governance issues more and more, as playing “a key role in ensuring the operational stability, security and resilience of the internet.”

According to the Council of Ministers, the GAC could help to ensure “that the management of internet resources by ICANN takes full account of international human rights law.” In addition, the secretary general of the CoE has also been asked “to explore, in consultation with the GAC, ICANN and other relevant stakeholders ways,” how the CoE could contribute to arranging the GAC secretariat, according to a CoE press release. For years, the GAC secretariat has rotated among various GAC member states. According to the declaration of the CoE Council of Ministers, efforts are “currently underway to establish a competent, independent and more stable secretariat for GAC.”

By Monika Ermert for Intellectual Property Watch