ITU and Internet Governance - A Circular from Houlin Zhao

[Randy Bush <randy@psg.com>]

http://www.itu.int/md/meetingdoc.asp?lang=e&type=sfolders&parent=T01-TSB-CIR4&destination=T01-SG02

TSB Circular 168 - June 16 2003
>From Director Houlin Zhao


Dear Sir/Madam,

1           The issue of national Internet policies has gained increasing
prominence in recent years as the importance of IP-based networks and
IP-based services and applications (commonly referred to as "Internet')
become increasingly apparent.

2           At its 5-16 May 2003 meeting, ITU Council discussed document
C03/27 R1, which is the report by the Secretary-General, the Director of
BDT, and the Director of TSB, concerning activities related to management of
Internet domain names and addresses in accordance with ITU Plenipotentiary
Resolutions 102 and 133.  (See Summary Record of the Twelfth Plenary Session
of Council 2003, 15 May 2003, forthcoming.)

Council unanimously endorsed the ITU report and expressed its full support
for ITUs initiatives to date.  It further encouraged the efforts made by the
Bureaux particularly in the areas of network security and internationalized
domain names.  Council also endorsed a proposal made by several countries
for ITUT, in collaboration with ITUD, to develop an IP policy manual to
advise Member States, especially developing countries, on the management of
international domain names and related issues.

3           The purpose of this circular is to initiate work within ITU-T on
drafting this policy manual.  You will find attached as Annex 1 an initial
draft table of contents.

We would appreciate any comments you may have on this draft table of
contents.  These should reach the TSB by 31 August 2003 at the latest.  They
may be sent to me by letter, fax or by E-Mail to tsbsg2@itu.int .

4          In accordance with 5.11 of WTSA-2000 Resolution 1, I propose to
establish a project team to progress the drafting of this manual.  After the
project group is established, I would like to discuss with the Group and the
other competent organs of ITU-T to find the host Study Group to approve the
manual.

In addition, as instructed by Council, the work will be done in conjunction
with ITU-D.  Indeed, the decisions of the Istanbul Action Plan Program 3
request the BDT to "assist in developing manuals on the technology and
policy aspects of IP".

Ms Fiona Alexander, of the United States Department of Commerce, has agreed
to chair the project team.

I would appreciate it if you could communicate to me the names of any people
that you would like to nominate for the project team.  It is expected that
the project team will work via electronic methods, although it is possible
that a physical meeting may be required.  Nominations for the project team
should reach the TSB by 31 August 2003 at the latest.  They may be sent to
me by letter, fax or by E-Mail to tsbsg2@itu.int .

5           We would also appreciate receiving any input text or material
for the manual that you may have available.  Contributions to the manual can
be submitted at any time during the project, but it would be helpful if
initial contributions could reach the TSB by 31 August 2003.  They should be
sent in electronic format, preferably Microsoft Word, by E-Mail to
tsbsg2@itu.int .

6           As an aid to preparing the manual, it would be useful to have
certain information from Member States regarding the current status and
future plans for national Internet policies.

Therefore, you will find as Annex 2 a questionnaire which I would kindly
request you to complete.  This questionnaire is designed to increase global
understanding of national Internet policies.

Only the Administration representing the Government of your country should
reply to this questionnaire, and replies should reach the TSB by 31 August
2003 at the latest.  They may be sent to me by letter, fax or by E-Mail to
tsbsg2@itu.int .

7           I would like to stress the importance of this activity, which
will enable Member States to conveniently obtain information that will help
them to develop appropriate national policies.  I therefore count on your
active co-operation in progressing the work on the manual and your ensuring
that, if you wish to reply, your reply reaches me by the prescribed
deadline.

Yours faithfully,

H. Zhao
Director of the Telecommunication
Standardization Bureau


http://www.itu.int/dms_pub/itu-t/md/01/tsb/cir/T01-TSB-CIR-0168!!MSW-E.doc