Present: Attendance was as noted in the register (available from the Secretariat - will be updated)
Apologies: Peter Dengate Thrush (lateness),
Note - staff illness among the Secretariat during the meeting means these notes are considerably briefer than is generally the case. If members desire, a fuller set of minutes can be prepared at modest expense via the transcription of the audio record of the meeting.
Meeting Opened: 9.45am
1. Welcome
The meeting opened with Chris Disspain on behalf of Peter Dengate Thrush, who convened the proceedings and introduced the speakers. These were: Dr Yousef Nussier, JoNIC (Director General, NITC); Mr. Nasereddin from sponsors TAGO.
The next speaker was the keynote introduction, from Her Excellency Nadia Hilmi Al-Saeed, Minister of Information and Communications Technology, Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan. And this was followed by the introduction by Peter Dengate Thrush, APTLD Chairman, who had been delayed in his arrival to Amman.
Delegates broke for a morning coffee break.
2. DNC Security
Jim Reid, Executive Director of DNS-MODA, spoke to his presentation (.pdf, 241kb) on issues of DNS Security. He dealt with questions and his presentation was warmly received by the audience.
3. Internationalised Domain Names
Hirofumi Hotta from JPRS spoke to his presentation (.pdf, 71kb) on IDNs and dealt with questions. The audience did appreciate the material presented.
The meeting broke for lunch at 12.30pm, and reconvened at 1.30pm.
4. IANA: ICANN's Core Function
Theresa Swinehart from ICANN made a presentation (.pdf, 708kb) on IANA's operations. This was followed by a lively discussion with many questions asked and answered. Those present appreciated the effort made by ICANN to be present at the meeting.
5. APTLD Technical Forum & Information Sharing
Ai-chin Lu from TWNIC presented (.pdf, 778kb) on this matter to explain the work of the new APTLD Technical Forum. The Forum is designed as a site where APTLD members can share their technical problems, advice and experience, to benefit all.
6. Arabic DNS
Amani Mohamed Bin Sewaif from UAEnic gave a presentation (.pdf, 628kb) on the progress of Arabic-script DNS and responded to questions on this.
The meeting broke for afternoon tea at 3pm.
7. WSIS/WGIG - Where To Next?
This session was a panel discussion, with speakers Keith Davidson from InternetNZ, Chriss Disspain from the ccNSO Council and auDA, and Theresa Swinehart from ICANN talking about the issues. Keith kicked off the discussion with this presentation (.pdf, 52kb) and there was extensive discussion on the issue. Note that this meeting occurred in the immediate aftermath of PrepCom-3 of the WSIS, and after the report of the WGIG had been released.
Much detailed information was discussed, including the various national and group positions during the WSIS prepcoms, the varying levels of technical understanding on the part of government representatives, the need to keep ICANN focused on its core mission, the need for the outcomes of the process to be based on genuine multi-stakeholder input.
There was a consensus that among APTLD members, the importance of the multi-stakeholder approach could be agreed as a baseline for whatever structure emerges from the WSIS.
8. ccTLD Registry Best Practice: JPRS - Domain Name Security
Hiro Hotta from JPRS spoke to his presentation (.pdf, 353kb) and answered questions.
Day One of the APTLD Meeting then closed at 5.10pm.
Meeting Opened: 8.15am
1. APTLD Committee Reports
The APTLD Committees with reports presented these.
Membership and Sponsorship Committee - Yumi spoke to this report and answered questions on possible or prospective membership applications from Brunei, UAE, Timor L'Este. The report was accepted by resolution of the meeting.
Constitutional Committee - In Shariya's absence, Peter handed the chair to Ramesh and spoke to Shariya's paper.
(para 4) Gihan asked what level should be struck for associate members – Peter noted that there was no particular level given the wide range of members’ fees.
There was some discussion about proxies (para 8). Richard St Clair suggested that the membership should be just for the organisation, and not worry about individuals responsible for voting. It is the organisation’s responsibility who is their voting rep.
PDT also noted the practice of doing an electronic vote for Board elections, which currently has to be ratified by the members at the AGM. Looking at making this only electronic.
PDT noted the next step is to put the wording together for the proposed amendments, and will post them at the required time before the AGM in Wellington in March for debate and agreement there.
The report was accepted by resolution of the meeting, and Ramesh handed the Chair back to Peter Dengate Thrush.
Meetings Committee - Chris Disspain noted that the committee's role is to decide the meetings schedule and agendas, not logistics, and hoped that a meeting manual would be prepared by the Secretariat for future use in planning meetings.
The next meeting was agreed by resolution to be held in conjunction with the ICANN meetings in Wellington, New Zealand in March 2006. It was noted this was different to usual practice which would have seen the meeting held in conjunction with APRICOT in Perth in February.
Ian Chiang noted that this would need to be advised to the APRICOT meeting organisers.
The Report noted meeting hosting offers for 2006 by .LK (Sri Lanka), which could be held in June or in October (climate better in June).
There was a discussion about whether meetings should be associated with the ICANN meetings, e.g. whether a meeting in June associated with ICANN Marrakesh could be held in Dubai.
In discussion the members present at the meeting came to a general view that the meeting programme best for 2006 would be Wellington in March, Dubai in June, Sri Lanka in October, with an ongoing meetings cycle in the West of the region, then the Centre, then the East, then the Centre, then the West, and so on.
The report was accepted by resolution of the meeting.
IDN Committee - Ai-chin Lu from TWNIC gave the Committee's report, which consisted of two major items - on the committee's proposed charter, and Hotta-san's draft IDN guidelines. The Committee was formed in Singapore to help educate members on the issues surrounding IDNs and to prepare a submission on the IDN process that ICANN is going through. <link to presentation>
In discussion a third objective for the committee was agreed - to suggest to the Board positions on other IDN issues as and when required. It was agreed that no budget would be necessary for the Committee.
The report was accepted by resolution of the meeting.
None of the other Committees made reports to the meeting.
Apologised that this is not a written report. A range of things happening in the ccNSO:
ccPDP:
ccNSO-IANA working group already mentioned.
Budget WG, and Apportionment Fees WG.
Budget WG – coming up with a quantum for ccTLD total contribution to ICANN. Are organising calls to ICANN staff to start this process moving.
Apportionment – how would distribute the total fee among the ccTLDs. Impossible to work until the Budget WG came up with a number? But this has now changed, so is back at work to try and develop a model.
WG on Accountability Frameworks – replacement for “ICANN Contract” – a paper to the community within the next three weeks, for discussion in Vancouver.
Joint GAC/CCNSO WG – at meetings, it organises those.
Secretariat WG – coming up with a model and funding requirement. It has a nominee and working out funding mechanism at Vancouver.
A group to discuss IDNs at the top level?
Next meeting is in Vancouver. Any suggested items should come to Chris.
PDT – how is membership overall?
CD – reached a hiatus. Some are still coming in. Latin and N America and Africa well organised. A-P some work to do in recruitment.
Note fee is self-select, and would be very low.The report was accepted by resolution of the Committee.
Peter Dengate Thrush (.nz) / Stafford Guest (.nu)
THAT the minutes of the Members Meeting in Singapore be adopted as a true and correct record.
Carried U
Note - a correction was made.
Item 12 in the minutes - Hotta-san presented at the CENTR meeting, as was noted he would.
PDT introduced this item. Part of the mission of APTLD is to improve training opportunities for ccTLDs. Key insight was having training at a fixed site, not linked to meetings. Went through the proposal.
PDT suggests authorising the Board to negotiate a trial basis programme of training for 2006, on one or two occasions, talking to Kanchana and the AIT, and look for any additional sponsorship funding available to help with trainee travel.
Garth – CX – training is a useful opportunity for ccTLDs. Cocca can probably provide some funding.
PDT – would be a prime focus for the General Manager, as is a key part of upgrading the offer from APTLD.
Stafford – NU – excellent idea, would like to see it moved forward to start next year.
PDT – thinks it’s a fantastic idea. Could spread the benefit out once it’s moving.
Gihan – could decide around when we’d like the first training? Also notes that last October, DNS training at AIT – did anyone go, was it worth attending? Sponsored by ISOC. Would like to see it happening in 2006.
Gihan – both technical courses. Suggest an introduction to ICANN, or a primer? Not just a technical focus? Commercial and policy not just technical.
PDT – could help with this. Don’t want to distract from this session a technical focus, but could add a one – hour session on the basics of ICANN etc.
Chris – reminded that at the start of each ICANN meeting, there is an introductory session. We could ask ICANN to video this, and have it available to send out to people in our region interested in finding out about ICANN. We could add on a welcome and introduction from PDT.
Garth – training tends to be quite technical and specific. What managers actually struggle with is middle management – what is an SRS, commercial operation, etc – this tends to be where most of the drama is. This mid-range stuff is important – don’t need ministerial people but day-to-day managers.
Chair/
That the Board work with AIT and Kanchana to secure one or two training sessions in 2006, with a detailed report back on progress to the Wellington meeting.
Carried U
Note: Board may also rename technical ctte to Technical Training Ctte to manage this process.
The meeting broke for Morning Tea at 10.00am, and reconvened at 10.40am, with the Secretariat Report.
Jordan Carter presented the report of the Secretariat, including the financial information for the period to 28 September 2005. The only question was regarding the membership fee revenue. Jordan undertook to report back to the Board on the difference between the budget level and the expected level at the end of 2005.
Peter Dengate Thrush moved that the reports of the Secretariat be adopted, and this resolution was carried unanimously.
Peter introduced this item, noting progress since Singapore and then showing a timeline for the process.
The Job Description <to link> – the only thing to be added was an at-risk portion of the salary, with the GM being accountable for increasing membership and membership fee revenue. Any other items?
Yumi – should add the benefits for having the GM for individual members. E.g. more dedicated liaison in talking to the individual members, between meetings.
PDT – what specific benefits would people like to see?
PDT – will be able to add to these sorts of items in future. Now basis for a comprehensive JD.
Keith presented a timetable for appointment process which was discussed and agreed. <to link>
Yumi asks – this schedule is for hiring the GM. What happens with defining the process for evaluation of the performance of the GM? Is this the Board’s role? Also, what about negotiation with the members who have not shown intention in the votes so far? Should these issues be run in parallel?
PDT – performance review is a contract matter, where it will need to be included. Need to consult with and instruct employment lawyers to ensure an appropriate contract is signed. Employed by a Malaysian association, but not necessarily in Malaysia. Will need to get some legal advice. Add a point after the selection process for contract negotiation and legal advice.
Negotiating with members – there would be the ability to cover this with Australia, NZ etc offering large increases, but others have to be asked. If we get a GM and things don’t improve, then they will end up leaving. If things do improve, then is a selling point to ask members for more funds.
Gihan – concern is that the budget seemed to be higher than needed to spend. If we could seriously think of getting someone at the lower end of the budget, then the increase in fees would not need to be so drastic. It should be possible to do this task.
KD – agreed salary cap. In the process, the salary discussion should not start until the appointee is likely to be known, and can then be tailored to the appropriate country.
PDT – proposed $40-$50k USD. Not great in Japan, OK in NZ, v good in Philippines etc. Want to keep field open to applicants from as many countries as possible, but not pay more than we have to.
TS, KD – many places do not state a precise number, use the term competitive package offered.
Board will fill out details. Legal advice should be obtained in the next couple of weeks regarding employment issues, the preliminary advice from Malaysia.
Chair/
That the process as outlined be adopted as the goal for the Appointments Committee
Carried U
The Committee will keep Board and Members informed as we go.
The draft Business Plan <to link> was introduced by Peter for consideration.
Objectives – first item of discussion, strategic issues. Peter asked whether there are any other objectives which should be included. No responses.
Strategies – Peter walked through the plan line by line, to introduce it to the members present. Followed by going through to discuss.
The meeting then went back through the papers.
Objectives – Ramesh noted there are more objectives in the Constitution. PDT noted that the others remain in the constitution.
Object A – will need to include some provision for technical training, but numbers to be worked up.
Richard St Clair thought that the provision for travel for the new GM is too low, and needs to be $10k more.
Note – Add $10k to the GM travel budget. To cover ICANN meetings. (Travel to APTLD meetings covered in Secretariat travel budget).
CD – USD10k should cover extra ICANN travel and a bit of discretion.
AGREED – to add $10k, split half in each budget line.
Objective B – nothing added.
Objective C – are the items right, and do we need to provide some budget for this?
CD – no need to cover WSIS prepcom 3.5, could have members present there representing APTLD.
KD – useful to put some budget in 2006 for WSIS, as this may be needed.
CD – not supporting a new budget provision here; enough people will go to this to represent the region in any case.
ccNSO – Regional Rep on the Council.
CD – the Council’s view is that only F2F views are at ICANN, and would prefer region to appoint someone they want, even if cannot attend, because meetings tend to be on the phone.
No further items
Nothing on Organisational Support
Budget will be updated to reflect this.
Will have an E-vote on the draft Business Plan before end of 2005.
CD – two things – questions answered re meeting budget for 06 (will this need to be higher?) and the membership fee item.UAE –
Sara gave a presentation (attached). PDT noted that a lot of work is going on. No local presence requirements in the .ae policy. They act as a RIPE Internet address registry for IP allocations, within UAE only.
Stafford – dispute resolution? Sara – no, not many cases. In some cases trade mark holders have complained, but have resolved these informally.
Ramesh – incumbent telco, owned by government? Sara – no, it has recently stopped being a monopoly and is still partly owned by the government.
PDT – who owns the company that runs .ae? Sara – sponsored by Salat, effectively owned by them.
Thanks again for a detailed presentation from UAE, from PDT
Australia –
Chris Disspain gave a very brief update on the .au system.
auDA is the policy body and makes rules; registry function is tendered out under contract. A four year term under current system. In July, launched an RFT for another four year term. Time consuming, expensive, but tenders closed on Friday. A few bids received.
Does not know of any other ccTLDs who do this: they ask for a per-domain name price. Does not like this policy. They have created a profit centre at the core, where there is a monopoly. Not a nfp situation.
Prices have been dropping and will continue to drop.
PDT – local presence requirement? Could be operated outside AU? CD – there are local requirements, and have been tightened. Need to be an Australian entity but not Australian owned.
Billing can happen anywhere but customer service needs to be 24/7 available in Australia.
PDT – prices? CD – decreasing price based on vol. Wholesale price for a two-year .com.au registration is AUD27; AUD5.50 comes to auDA. Anticipates that the price may be around AUD15 for a two year licence to the registry in the next round.
Japan –
Yumi Ohashi spoke to the presentation. Question from Ramesh – how do you select the Advisory Committee.
Questions –
PDT – have looked at the legal status of a domain name? Do they have property in a domain name, or is it just a licence to use the name?
The meeting broke for lunch at 12:40pm, and reconvened at 1:35pm.
New Zealand –
Keith Davidson spoke to the presentation.
Questions –
Ramesh – know more about the proposed SPAM legislation. How you think it might be a problem.
Keith – based on the Australian legislation.
Jordan –
Ghazwa M - .jo – spoke to the power point presentation, and answered a few questions from Keith.
Members’ Sharing finished.
Peter gave thank-you presentations to Charles Shaban and Dr Nussier.
Meeting closed: 1.59pm
Signed as a true and correct record:
..................................................................................
Peter Dengate Thrush, CHAIR
Document Status: FINAL minutes - posted on APTLD website on 23 March 2006, and adopted by APTLD Wellington meeting on 25 March 2006.