ICANN
The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) is the not-for-profit entity responsible for the technical coordination of the Internet's domain name system (DNS). On September 30, 2009, NTIA, on behalf of the U.S. Department of Commerce, reached agreement with ICANN on an Affirmation of Commitments that completed the transition of the technical coordination of the DNS to a multi-stakeholder, private-sector led model and contains provisions to ensure accountability and transparency in ICANN's decision-making with the goal of protecting the interests of global Internet users, as well as mechanisms to address the security stability, and resiliency of the Internet DNS.
NTIA represents the U.S. government in ICANN's Governmental Advisory Committee (GAC), which is structured to provide advice to the ICANN Board on the public policy aspects of the broad range of issues pending before ICANN.
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Official Statement by the USG Delegation to NETmundial
The U.S. delegation, led by White House Cybersecurity Coordinator Michael Daniel, congratulates the government of Brazil and the global community on the success of the NETmundial multistakeholder Internet governance meeting held in São Paulo this week.
Together at NETmundial, hundreds of stakeholders from around the world convened to discuss and agree upon a shared vision for the multistakeholder model of Internet governance that seeks to further develop an increasingly open, transparent, inclusive, and responsive system.
Supporting an Open and Inclusive Internet in Brazil
This blog is cross posted on the U.S. Department of State’s blog
This week, we head to Sao Paulo, Brazil, to attend NETmundial, a global meeting of governments, entrepreneurs, academics, Internet institutions, activists and users to discuss the future of Internet governance. Over two days delegates will discuss and work toward developing a set of principles to guide international Internet governance activities in the future. We will also try to construct a roadmap for the evolution of the existing multi-stakeholder system of Internet governance to increase its inclusiveness, transparency, and responsiveness to the needs of underrepresented communities.
The United States will work with other delegations to expand the community of individuals, organizations, firms, and governments who are willing to put their faith in the proven multi-stakeholder system of cooperation and coordination; this system has enabled the unprecedented growth of the global Internet, which in turn has fueled economic development and innovation. Along with most of the world’s Internet advocates and users, we believe that no one stakeholder or group of stakeholders, including governments, should have control over the operation or protocols of the Internet or the creativity, innovation, and freedom of expression that it enables.
Myths and Facts on NTIA Announcement on Intent to Transition Key Internet Domain Name Functions
Myth:
The United States Government controls the Internet through the Internet Assigned Numbers Authority (IANA) functions contract.
Fact:
There is no one party – government or industry, including the United States Government – that controls the Internet. The Internet is a decentralized network of networks.