International Public Policy Issues Related to the Internet and the Role of the Governments Regional Follow-up to the Outcome of the World Summit on the Information Society Marco Obiso ICT Applications and Cybersecurity Division ITU Telecommunication Development Bureau (BDT) International Telecommunication Union 1
ITU in brief Leading UN agency for information and communication technologies (ICT) The oldest UN agency (143 years) Global focal point for governments and the private sector. ITU's role in helping the world communicate spans 3 core sectors: radiocommunication (ITU-R) standardization (ITU-T) T) Development (ITU-D) ITU also organizes TELECOM events ITU is based in Geneva, Switzerland, and its membership includes 191 Member States and more than 700 Sector Members and Associates. Website: http://www.itu.int June 2009 2 2
ITU Mission & More ITU s mission is to enable the growth and sustained development of telecommunications and information networks, and to facilitate universal access so that people p everywhere can participate in, and benefit from, the emerging information society and global economy. Instigator and manager of the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) held in two phases Sole Facilitator for WSIS Action Line C2 Information and communication infrastructure, WSIS action Line C5 Building confidence and security in the use of ICTs, WSIS action Line C6 Enabling Environment June 2009 3 3
WSIS and Internet No consensus on Internet related matters, but WSIS reaffirmed that the international management of the Internet should multilateral, transparent and democratic, with the full involvement e of governments, e private sector, civil society and International Organizations Internet Governance Forum (IGF) Enhanced Cooperation Multi-stakeholder approach June 2009 4 4
WSIS Driving Principles on Internet Governance TUNIS AGENDA for WSIS (2005) Paragraph 53. We commit to working earnestly towards multilingualization of the Internet, as part of a multilateral, Transparent and democratic process, involving governments and all stakeholders, in their respective roles. In this context, we also support local content development, translation and adaptation, digital archives, and diverse forms of digital and traditional media, and recognize that these activities can also strengthen local and indigenous communities. Paragraph 63. Countries should not be involved in decisions regarding another country s country-code Top-Level Domain (cctld). Their legitimate interests, as expressed and defined by each country, in diverse ways, regarding decisions affecting their cctlds, need to be respected, upheld and addressed via a flexible and improved framework and mechanisms. Paragraph 64. We recognize the need for further development of, and strengthened cooperation among, stakeholders for public policies for generic Top-Level Domain Names (gtlds). Paragraph 68. We recognize that t all governments should have an equal role and responsibility for international ti Internet governance and for ensuring the stability, security and continuity of the Internet. We also recognize the need for development of public policy by governments in consultation with all stakeholders. June 2009 5 5
Top Level Domains (TLDs) Top-Level Domain (TLD): gtlds and cctlds gtlds identify the nature of entities operating the specific website. (.com,.org, ). cctlds - reserved for a country, territory or area of geographical interests, and based on ISO 3166-11 (.eg,.sy) New gtld expansion - issues of geographical names, user welfare, DNS market competition, transparency of costs, government s right over the application process June 2009 6 6
generic Top Level Domains (gtlds) Currently 21 gtlds New gtld expansion - Introduction of new gtlds, (e.g. continental and regional gtlds) raises issues of geographical names user welfare DNS market competition transparency of costs government s right over the application process Governments should have the right of protect national interests including certain types of national geographic names, languages or people descriptions June 2009 7 7
country code Top Level Domains (cctlds) TLD reserved for a country or a territory Expressed in two-letter country codes - mostly based on the ISO 3166-11 Represents the national Internet identities More awareness of the importance of cctlds recognize its socio-economic value Fast growing Totaled 71.1 million out of 177 million TLDs (2008) 22 % increase (over the end of 2007) Current issues cctld management policies Internationalized Domain Names (IDNs) June 2009 8 8
cctlds Management Policies 1 3 5 Country vs ISO 3166 1? Not all political entities were included in the list Trustee for both national & global community? Conflicts between cctld operators and national governments cctld global issues? Should be national matters Should be solved in accordance with national law and regulations Power of re delegation? Should be handled under government oversight Formal agreement? Not many cctlds have formal agreements with hicann 2 4 June 2009 9 9
IDN cctlds implementation Internationalized Domain Names Supporting non-ascii Characters in domain names Challenging: language, technical & security issues, commercial availability, harmony with the global structure of the DNS IDN cctlds Lack of a common approach by governments in implementing IDNs ICANN s efforts regarding the IDN cctld Fast Track Process (2008) - so far (February 2009), only 18 government have shown interest Related Issues Formalizing the relationship between registries and ICANN Financial Contributions Contractual agreements - GAC (Paris, 2008)- it would be inappropriate for new IDN cctlds to be obliged to enter into contractual agreements with ICANN, not least because this could introduce further significant delay in the implementation process June 2009 10 10
Role of Governments in cctlds and IDN cctlds Countries should not be involved in decisions regarding another country s country-code Top-Level Domain (cctld). Their legitimate interests, as expressed and defined by each country, in diverse ways, regarding decisions affecting their cctlds, need to be respected, upheld and addressed via a flexible and improved framework and mechanisms. Paragraph 63 of the Tunis Agenda for the Information Society (Tunis, 2005) governments or public authorities maintain ultimate policy authority over their respective cctlds and should ensure that they are operated in conformity with domestic public policy objectives, laws and regulations, and international law and applicable international conventions. Principles for the Delegation and Administration of Country Code Top Level Domains (ICANN) June 2009 11 11
DNSsec Domain Name System Security Extensions implemented for securing vulnerabilities in DNS Resolution process ensures the origin authentication of DNS data by establishing an unbroken chain of trust. Need a single origin of trust at the root Responsible for creating and maintaining the key that signs the root. Signing entity in a very key position: Key player in Internet governance structure The root signing authority is of critical importance to the security, stability and reliability of the Internet. All governments should play an equal role in policy formulation governing the harmonized and global coordination of such services. June 2009 12 12
IPv6 Current IPv4 addresses being rapidly depleted - (would run out in 2010~2011) Address Space: IPv4: 4,294,967,296 IPv6: 340,282,366,920,938,463,463,374,607,431,768,211,456 Policy to assign IPv4, First come, First serve, has led to the preoccupancy of a substantial amount of IP addresses. There has been insufficient government involvement and international cooperation in the IPv4 allocation policy. IPv4 allocation policies not fair and equitable to all Member States The speed of deployment and use of IPv6 slower than expected Lack of application support Lack of awareness Lack of clear benefits Policy issues IPv6 address space allocation policies should ensure that the interests of all nations are safeguarded. d June 2009 13 13
Governments involvement in GAC Governmental Advisory Committee (GAC) - Set up by ICANN in 1999. Advisory role towards the ICANN Board. Not a decision making body, No legal authority to act for ICANN. ITU Member States poorly represented Year 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2007/8 Members 49 60 67 73 84 99 106 Observers 5 5 5 6 6 9 12 Total 54 65 72 79 90 108 118 Many countries without representation - Developing and Least Developed Countries all governments should have an equal role and responsibility for international Internet governance and for ensuring the stability, security and continuity of the Internet. June 2009 14 14
ITU Mandates PP. Resolution 101 (Rev. Antalya 2006) - Internet Protocol-based networks PP. Resolution 102 (Rev. Antalya 2006) - ITU s role with regard to international public policy issues pertaining to the Internet and the management of Internet resources, including domain names and addresses PP. Resolution 133 (Rev. Antalya 2006) - Role of administrations of Member States in the management of internationalized (multilingual) domain names ITU Council 2008 Resolution 1282 (Mod) - ITU s role in implementing the outcomes of the World Summit on the Information Society WTSA Resolutions 48 (Rev. Johannesburg, 2008) - Internationalized (multilingual) domain names WTSA Resolutions 64 (Rev. Johannesburg, 2008) - IP address allocation and encouraging the deployment of IPv6 WTSA Resolution 75 (Rev. Johannesburg, 2008) - ITU-T s contribution in implementing the outcomes of the World Summit on the Information Society, and the establishment of a Dedicated Group on Internet related Public Policy Issues as an integral part of the Council Working Group on the World Summit on the Information Society6 WTDC Programme 3 (Rev. Doha, 2006) - E-strategies and ICT applications WTDC Resolution 20 (Rev. Doha, 2006) - Non-discriminatory access to modern telecommunication and information technology facilities and services WTDC Resolution 30 (Rev. Doha, 2006) - Role of the ITU Telecommunication Development Sector in implementing the outcomes of the World Summit on the Information Society June 2009 15 15
ITU approach WSIS Principles and outcomes ITU response to Members States play a key role in facilitating the coordination of internet-related public policy issues play a key role in the development of internet related technical standards and relevant policies provide the necessary assistance to Members States making use of the ITU as platform to foster international cooperation and promote multistakeholder approach among all key players in the Internet arena cctlds, IDN, Multilingualism IPv6 and IP-enabled Next Generation Networks Cybersecurity Internet Accessibility for people with disabilities Internet and climate change International Internet Connectivity Internet Exchange points Evaluating current policies, elaborate and develop pproposals p following Membership's needs Workshops and seminars Technical assistance to countries, Building capacity Liaise with other relevant bodies and forum (e.g. IGF) Ensuring Membership s views are taken in due account June 2009 16 16
Conclusions Role of Governments is key in the Internet arena and critical in Internet Governance - related public policy issues As main Forum for Governments in ICTs,ITU is uniquely positioned to play a facilitating role for activities under the purview of Governments in Internet-related Public Policies As a neutral & impartial international organization, ITU is working hard to build consensus in this sensitive domain, and to ensure that future outcomes benefit all June 2009 17 17
Thank you for your attention! For further information contact: marco.obiso@itu.int cybmail@itu.int International Telecommunication Union 18