Developing Policy
at ICANN
A fundamental part of ICANN's Mission is coordinating policy development related to the Internet's system of unique identifiers.
ICANN uses open and transparent policy development processes that enable well-informed decisions based on expert advice and collaboration among entities most affected by those policies. The multistakeholder community thrives on the diversity of perspectives and interests that shape its deliberations. Participants in ICANN's community processes benefit from understanding the wide range of viewpoints represented across the community.
To foster a culture of trust, transparency, and mutual respect, all participants are expected to follow the policies and procedures that make up the ICANN Community Ethics Policy, including the ICANN Community Participant Code of Conduct, ICANN Expected Standards of Behavior, and the ICANN Community Anti-Harassment Policy.
Click here to learn more about how to participate and what is expected of participants.
What is DNS Policy?
ICANN develops and applies several types of policies:
DNS Policies are developed by the multistakeholder community through formal policy development processes (PDPs), as set forth by the Bylaws. Learn more about ICANN’s Mission, Commitments, and Core Values, and how policy is developed in the ICANN Bylaws.
Examples of DNS Policy:
How is DNS Policy Developed?
The ICANN community develops and refines policy recommendations through its Supporting Organizations (SOs) and influenced by Advisory Committees (ACs). These groups – are made up of volunteers from around the world – work through a bottom-up, open and transparent process. Each Supporting Organization follows its own specific policy development process. Learn more about this work in the “Multistakeholder Policy Development” infographic below.
“At ICANN we believe every voice deserves a chance to be heard. I am inspired by how the ICANN community continues to refine is consensus-based policy development processes to make participation more accessible and to ensure that policy is developed for the benefit of the global public interest.”Russ Weinstein
Senior Vice President, Policy Development Support
ICANN Supporting Organizations (SOs) - Develop and Refine ICANN Policy
GNSO
gnso.icann.orgThe Generic Name Supporting Organization (GNSO) is responsible for developing and recommending to the ICANN Board substantive policies relating to generic top-level domains.
Learn more about how to get involved with the GNSO.
ccNSO
ccnso.icann.orgThe Country Code Names Supporting Organization (ccNSO) is responsible for developing and recommending to the Board global policies relating to country-code top-level domains.
The Address Supporting Organization (ASO) is responsible for advising the Board with respect to policy issues relating to the operation, assignment, and management of Internet addresses.
Membership into the ASO is available only to Regional Internet Registries, but you can learn more about their work on their website.
ICANN Advisory Committees (ACs) - Advise the Board
The At-Large Advisory Committee (ALAC) is responsible for considering and providing advice on the activities of ICANN, insofar as they relate to the interests of individual Internet users.
Join ALAC! Learn about their application process.
SSAC
ssac.icann.orgThe Security and Stability Advisory Committee (SSAC) is responsible for advising the ICANN community and Board on matters relating to the security and integrity of the Internet's naming and address allocation systems.
SSAC is an invite-only organization.
RSSAC
rssac.icann.orgThe Root Server System Advisory Committee (RSSAC) is responsible for advising the ICANN community and Board on matters relating to the operation, administration, security, and integrity of the Internet's Root Server System.
The Governmental Advisory Committee (GAC) is responsible for providing advice on the activities of ICANN as they relate to concerns of governments, particularly matters where there may be an interaction between ICANN's policies and various laws and international agreements or where they may affect public policy issues.
You need to be a formally acknowledged representative of a government or international organization to become a member. You can email GAC’s secretariat for more info.
Accountability and Transparency
Learn more about ICANN community groups by reviewing their charters and operating documents.
Pre-Conference Presentations & Monthly Updates
Policy Updates
Each monthly issue of the Policy Update provides the latest status on policy issues working their way through the bottom-up, consensus-based policy development processes within ICANN. This newsletter accommodates ICANN newcomers and veterans by providing high-level explanations of a broad range of ICANN policy development activities, detailed updates on specific issues, and links to more information.
Complex policy matters require much study; and controversial issues stimulate much discussion within ICANN’s multistakeholder community. The result: not every policy topic passes a significant milestone every month. Where there are new developments to report, Policy Update runs an article. If a matter is still progressing, but has not hit a newsworthy milestone since last month’s issue of Policy Update, we provide a link to the most recent past article. This approach makes it easy for you to scan new developments, while still providing background information with one-click convenience.
Policy Update increases your access to ICANN policy information, and you can get it delivered through a free online subscription. To receive Policy Update via e-mail every month, simply visit the ICANN Subscription page, enter your e-mail address, and then select ICANN Policy Update to subscribe.
Participate in Policy-Making
ICANN policy is developed by the community in a bottom-up, multistakeholder fashion. There are multiple ways in which you can participate, from attending a meeting in person, joining a working group or webinar to contributing to the Public Comment process.
