Listers, Those who follow Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) processes, must be aware of the new generic Top Level Domains (gTLDs) initiative (http://newgtlds.icann.org/en/). Generic Top level domains (gTLDs) are names of an Internet address that identifies it generically as associated with some domain class, for example .org (for non-profit organisations, industry groups, and others), .com (commercial), etc. While ccTLDs (country code top-level domain name) identify national domicile for an address. (For instance, .ke for Kenya and .ug for Uganda.) In June 2011, ICANN's Board of Directors approved the new gTLD Guidebook and authorised the launch of the New gTLD Program. The application window opened on 12 January 2012, and ICANN received 1,930 applications for new gTLDs. Among them the geographic TLD for Africa, dotAfrica. * Dot Africa* "dotAfrica is the proposed name for the African continent's generic Top Level Domain (gTLD). It is an opportunity to forge an identity that will elevate and enhance an African digital presence"...."it is also that specific Internet namespace for Africa and will echo ongoing operation and successes of other sister community TLDs such as DotEu (DotEuropa) and DotAsia which have created a new Internet identity for their users and business who seek more regional presence without being confined within the limits of one country" The extraordinary Session of the African Union CITMC held in Johannesburg, acknowledged the benefit of the Dotafrica domain name to Africa and adopted a resolution to "Establish dot Africa as a continental Top-Level Domain for use by organisations, businesses and individuals with guidance from African Internet agencies".The AUC was therefore given the mandate from African governments to establish "dot Africa as a continental Top-Level Domain for use by organisations, businesses and individuals with guidance from African Internet Agencies" and to "set up the structure and modalities for the implementation of the dot Africa project" as provided for in the 2010 Abuja Declaration. The AUC appointed Uniforum to coordinate the ICANN application process and manage regional TLD. The dot Africa project is currently at the cusp of transition from the Application Phase to the Launch Phase until the TLD is delegated by ICANN. The dot Africa initiative aims: To sponsor, establish and operate a regional Internet namespace with global recognition and regional significance. The namespace is dedicated to the needs of the Pan-African Internet community. To reinvest surpluses in socio-technological advancement initiatives relevant to the Pan-African Internet community. To operate a successful not-for-profit initiative that is a technically sound, leading edge TLD registry for the Pan-African Internet community. The development and support of African ccTLDs through the work of AfTLD The development and support of a competitive and vibrant African Registrar market Content development, and The coordination and support of socio-economic and enterprise development initiatives relating to ICT For more details about the AUC/Uniforum dotAfrica project please visit: http://africainonespace.org/content.php?tag=5&title=What+is+dotAfrica%3F and http://pages.au.int/infosoc/pages/dotafrica-top-level-domain-africa-project Part of the launch process for dotAfrica involves the development of various policy documents including a Reserve Name Policy (RNL) in order to “deter abusive registrations and create an efficient, effective and stable launch”. This process will provide African member states and other stakeholders with the opportunity to submit reserve name lists to the dot Africa registry UNIFORUM/ZACR during the PreSunrise phase. The RNL will regulate the reservation of certain domain names prior to launch, which may be regarded as important, sensitive, offensive and/or otherwise in the general interest for the well being of the TLD. When a domain name has been entered into the RNL, the registry will ensure that the name is not made available for registration, other than through defined redemption processes as articulated in the RNL policy. The Reserve Name List Policy is now open for public comment period starting July 1st to August 1st. This comment period aims to provide an opportunity for greater stakeholder involvement in shaping the development of the dot Africa initiative and to build a shared vision and recommendations. The draft RNL policy can be found here: http://www.africainonespace.org/downloads/Reserved%20Names%20Policy%2019%20J... To post comments and suggestions please visit: http://www.africainonespace.org/content.php?tag=25&title=Reserve+Name+Policy+for+the+.Africa+Registry A record of all comments received will be filed with Dot Africa policy team via e-mail or the RNL portal. At the close of the public comment period, the dot Africa policy team will review all comments and may include them in the final drafts. ISOC Kenya chapter and the Kenya ICT Action Network (KICTANet) will conduct a 10 day mailing list discussion on the dot Africa reserve name policy. We hope that at the end of the period we can submit comments from some Kenyan stakeholders on the policy and also begin to discuss a possible reserve name list for Kenya. Here is an outline of the 10 day mailing list discussion period: Day one: Introduction and overview Day two: RNL categories Day three: AUC governmental Category 1 Day Four; AUC governmental Category 2 Day five: AUC Governmental Category 3 Day Six: Offensive names category Day Seven: Application and Registration Processes: Day Seven: cont. Application, authentification processes Day Eight: cont. Application, notification, registration and objections to registrations processes Day Nine: WhoIs and draft RNL for Kenya Day Ten: Cont. Draft Reserve name list for Kenya and wrap up. We look forwad to insightfull discussions. Best Regards