AW: [governance] UN General Assembly 2009 FYI

[William Drake]

Hi

Thanks for the useful pointer, Wolfgang.  Some great stuff here, even a resolution on the NIEO!   Then it was off to the Palm for a nice lunch, presumably...

Anyway, I notice that A/C.2/64/L.62 of 5 November, from the G77 and China, was withdrawn.  Inter alia, it

14. Requests the Secretary-General to consider providing from the regular budget the necessary support to ensure the sustainability of the core activities and operations of the secretariat of the Internet Governance Forum, in order to carry out its programme of activities in accordance with its mandate;

However, A/C.2/64/L.62 of 4 December, from the Vice-Chairperson of the Committee, was adopted on 9 December.  Inter alia it

17. Encourages Member States, the private sector and all other relevant stakeholders to consider strengthening the secretariat of the Internet Governance Forum in order to support its activities and operations, in accordance with its mandate, including by providing additional funds, where possible, to the Trust Fund in support of the secretariat;

So I guess the concept remains voluntary contributions rather than regular budget.  In addition, the doc

15. Invites the Economic and Social Council to consider the report of the Secretary-General on enhanced cooperation on public policy issues pertaining to the Internet; 

I'm not sure what to make of this one.  When the EC report was originally submitted during last year's CSTD there were objections and hence no formal consideration due in particular to the ITU uber alles language.  So are we to conclude that such objections have been withdrawn?  Anyone know what the deal is here?  Bertrand?

Thanks,

Bill

PS: For those who've not read the SG report, here's some of the ITU's recommendations (which pale in comparison to what's been proposed within ITU):

The current Internet governance framework could be enhanced to ensure greater and
more active participation of Governments in the formulation of international public
policy for information and communications technologies. Measures taken could
ensure better cooperation between Governments and other stakeholders in the policy
formulation process...It should be noted that there already exist intergovernmental bodies under the
United Nations umbrella that have strong participation of Governments, the
experience and also the necessary mandate. An improved governance framework
could leverage such existing structures to enhance Government participation, rather
than attempting to create new ones. Also, caution must be exercised when
suggesting that the Internet Governance Forum could play a decision-making role or
provide oversight functions in Internet-related public policy issues.

An improved governance framework could be formed within which all countries
would have an equal say in Internet-related public policy issues and in the
management of critical Internet resources....An intergovernmental organization such as the International Telecommunication
Union (ITU) has the necessary mandate and hence could play a leading role in the
creation of such a governance structure. Resolution 102 of the 2006 ITU
Plenipotentiary Conference instructs the ITU.

The root signing authority is of critical importance to the security, stability and
reliability of the Internet. The role and functions related to policies governing the
harmonized and global coordination of such services for country-code top-level
domains (ccTLDs) must be assumed by a relevant intergovernmental body with 
the mandate from Governments and the experience in providing such services so that
concerns and interests of sovereign States can be taken into account.
This delegation decision could be a result of coordination among all relevant
stakeholders, through discussions and debates at appropriate forums such as
intergovernmental council meetings.

A country would retain sole control over the management of its assigned ccTLD in
accordance with paragraph 63 of the Tunis Agenda for the Information Society
which states that countries should not be involved in decisions regarding another
country’s ccTLD; and that 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 through a flexible and improved framework and
mechanism.The delegating body could retain an advisory role, if required, at the request of the
country concerned. Any difference that may arise between the two entities could be
resolved through an international/intergovernmental organization with the necessary
mandate.

On Dec 18, 2009, at 1:17 PM, Kleinwächter, Wolfgang wrote:

> http://www.un.org/ga/second/64/proposals.shtml
> 
> Sorry here is the link which works (you have to scroll down and to go to the various draft to fiond the two resolution which refer to the IGF and related IG issues.
> 
> wolfgang
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***********************************************************
William J. Drake
Senior Associate
Centre for International Governance
Graduate Institute of International and
 Development Studies
Geneva, Switzerland
william.drake at graduateinstitute.ch
www.graduateinstitute.ch/cig/drake.html
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