Following the direction set by ICANN Board to advance the new gTLD Program towards launch, ICANN posted the New gTLD Applicant Guidebook – April 2011 Discussion Draft and ICANN's reply to the GAC Comments[PDF, 275 KB] (regarding the GAC's Scorecard of new gTLD issues [PDF, 332 KB]). In addition, six Explanatory Memoranda related to the GAC-Board discussion points were published to explain rationale for several current positions.
These publications meet the current Board timeline for new gTLDs set during the recent ICANN Silicon Valley meeting but more importantly, they describe many substantive changes in the Guidebook intended to address GAC concerns with the new gTLD Program. This recent set of substantive consultations between ICANN's Governmental Advisory Committee and the ICANN Board of Directors lays the groundwork for improving the effectiveness of governments' role in future ICANN policy discussions.
The Board's draft timeline [PDF, 117 KB] shows the key milestones to be met on that path. Keeping with the draft timeline, ICANN plans to post a final version of the Guidebook by 30 May 2011, in time for consideration of the New gTLD implementation program at an extraordinary meeting of the ICANN Board to be held on Monday, 20 June 2011, at the ICANN meetings inSingapore.
The comment period will remain open until 15 May 2011.
GAC Comments on the Board Response to the GAC Scorecard following San Francisco meeting