Tag Archives: Morocco

Registration Now Open For ICANN65

Registration is now open for the ICANN65 Policy Forum to be held in Marrakech, Morocco.

The Policy Forum from 24-27 June will give the global Internet community a chance to focus on policy development. This will be the twelfth ICANN Public Meeting held in Africa, and the third in Marrakech, Morocco.

To register for ICANN65, along with the ICANN GDD Industry Summit from 6 to 9 May and the ICANN DNS Symposium from 10 to 11 May, both to be held in Bangkok, see here.

Marrakech Identified as ICANN Meeting Site for 2019 Policy Forum

icann-public-meetings-bannerICANN announced today [2 Nov] that Marrakech, Morocco, has been selected as the location in the African region to host ICANN‘s 65th Public Meeting, to be held 24–27 June 2019. This Policy Forum will be hosted by the Mediterranean Federation of Internet Associations (FMAI) at the Palmeraie Resort.

ICANN holds three meetings each calendar year in different regions of the globe. ICANN Public Meetings are a central principle of ICANN‘s multistakeholder model because they provide a venue for learning about ICANN, progressing policy work, conducting outreach, exchanging best practices, conducting business deals, and promoting interaction among members of the ICANN community, organization, and Board. Usually featuring more than 400 different sessions, these meetings are the focal point for individuals and representatives of the different ICANN stakeholder groups to introduce and discuss issues related to ICANN policy. Participants may attend in person or remotely. Meetings are open to everyone and registration is free.

More Information

About ICANN

ICANN‘s mission is to help ensure a stable, secure, and unified global Internet. To reach another person on the Internet, you need to type an address – a name or a number – into your computer or other device. That address must be unique so computers know where to find each other. ICANN helps coordinate and support these unique identifiers across the world. ICANN was formed in 1998 as a not-for-profit public-benefit corporation with a community of participants from all over the world.

This ICANN announcement was sourced from:
https://www.icann.org/news/announcement-4-2017-11-02-en

Moroccan Minister of Industry & Digital Economy Stresses Importance of IANA Stewardship Transition During ICANN55

ICANN55 Marrakech logo[news release] Moroccan Minister of Industry, Trade, Investment and the Digital Economy, Moulay Hafid Elalamy, expressed Morocco’s support of the IANA Stewardship Transition today (7/3), during the Opening Ceremony of ICANN‘s 55th Public Meeting, taking place in Marrakech, Morocco from 5-10 March. The meeting is being held under the high patronage of His Majesty King Mohammed VI.

“This great meeting in Marrakech coincides with the last leg, the final leg, of the process in order to get to a transition plan of the governance model of the world system of Internet resources, in order to increase transparency as well as accountability,” said Elalamy. “This initiative is, without any doubt, the illustration of opening up the Internet.”

ICANN55 is taking place during a critical moment in the history of the Internet governance, as members of the global Internet community have come together in Marrakech to finalize a set of proposals which will transfer stewardship of key elements of the Internet’s system of unique identifiers – the IANA functions – from the United States Government over to the multistakeholder community.

Director General of Morocco’s National Telecommunications Regulatory Agency, Azdine El Mountassir Billah, spoke to the importance of the multistakeholder model of Internet governance, stating, “The great challenge – we know it all and we are working on it – consists of inventing a governance model for the Internet: a multistakeholder, inclusive, fair and balanced one, involving all stakeholders: governments, civil society, and businesses, in order to increase the exchange of opportunities, to reconcile points of view and to create the necessary synergies.”

ICANN Board Chair Dr. Stephen Crocker remarked on the historic nature of ICANN55, but also to the work that still lies ahead, stating, “These proposals will usher in a new era of independence and global accountability of ICANN. Let me emphasize that we’re not done yet. This will be an extremely important juncture at this meeting, and then we still have quite a lot of time and work that will go on in multiple quarters, including, of course, within the U.S. Government.”

“I wish to pay tribute to Mr. Fadi Chehadé, President of ICANN, and his team for the work done to make this organization what it is today,” added Billah. “And for supporting, with enthusiasm and confidence, the holding of the 55th meeting in my country, Morocco.”

Those unable to attend ICANN55 in person are highly encouraged to participate remotely. Details for doing so can be found for any of the sessions listed at https://meetings.icann.org/en/marrakech55/schedule-full.

This news release was sourced from:
https://www.icann.org/resources/press-material/release-2016-03-07-en

Moroccan Minister of Industry, Trade & Digital Economy to Speak at ICANN’s 55th Public Meeting in Marrakech

ICANN55 Marrakech logo[news release] Morocco’s Minister of Industry, Trade and Digital Economy, Moulay Hafid Elalamy, will be speaking during the Welcome Ceremony of the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN)’s 55th Public Meeting, which will be taking place from 5-10 March 2016. The meeting is hosted by the National Telecommunications Regulatory Agency (ANRT) of Morocco.

The meeting is being held at a critical moment in the organization’s history, as the IANA Stewardship Transition nears completion. Stakeholders from around the world will be convening in Marrakech to finalize the proposal that will ultimately transfer stewardship of the IANA functions – key elements of the Internet’s Domain Name System (DNS) – from the United States government over to the global multistakeholder community.

Göran Marby, ICANN‘s incoming President and CEO, will also be speaking to attendees during the Welcome Ceremony. On 21 May 2015, Fadi Chehadé announced his intent to depart from ICANN, and after a nearly year-long process to find his replacement, ICANN announced that Marby, a seasoned business executive and government leader, has been selected for the role.

In addition, Chehadé and Board Chair Dr. Stephen Crocker will be addressing attendees during the ceremony. We encourage members of the press to join in-person or remotely, as they will provide a high-level overview of what is expected to occur throughout the meeting. Those who are unable to attend the Marrakech meeting in person are encouraged to participate remotely via a live web stream. The details for connecting are provided below.

BACKGROUND: Held three times a year, ICANN‘s public meetings convene members of the global, multistakeholder Internet community, made up of individual users, businesses, civil society, governments, research institutions and non-government organizations, to discuss issues impacting the Domain Name System (DNS) and develop policy.


Welcome Ceremony & Opening Session:

WHO: Moulay Hafid Elalamy, Moroccan Minister of Industry, Trade & Digital Economy, Göran Marby, Incoming President and CEO, Fadi Chehadé, Current President and CEO, Dr. Stephen Crocker, Chair of the Board of Directors

WHEN: Monday, 7 March, 08:30 A.M. – 10:00 A.M. IST

WHERE: Atlas Auditorium, Palmeraie Conference Center

OFF-SITE ACCESS: Journalists from around the world can participate in the Welcome Ceremony via remote access.

  • A live webcast may be accessed at LINK.

Media Contacts

Luna Madi
Communications Director, EMEA
London, U.K.
Tel: +44 7780947574
Email: luna.madi@icann.org

James Cole
Global Media Coordinator
Washington, D.C.
Tel: +1 202 733 7598
Email: james.cole@icann.org

About ICANN

ICANN‘s mission is to help ensure a stable, secure and unified global Internet. To reach another person on the Internet, you have to type an address into your computer – a name or a number. That address has to be unique so computers know where to find each other. ICANN helps coordinate and support these unique identifiers across the world. ICANN was formed in 1998 as a not-for-profit public-benefit corporation and a community with participants from all over the world. ICANN and its community help keep the Internet secure, stable and interoperable. It also promotes competition and develops policy for the top-level of the Internet’s naming system and facilitates the use of other unique Internet identifiers. For more information please visit: www.icann.org.

This ICANN news release was sourced from:
https://www.icann.org/resources/press-material/advisory-2016-02-23-en

Updates For .GN and .MA

Moroccan ANRT logoThe Guinean government department responsible for their .GN ccTLD has called for expressions of interest for the recruitment of a consultant who will help them take over their ccTLD.

The Postes, Télécommunications et des Nouvelles Technologies de l’Information (MPTNTI – Post, Telecommunications and New Technologies of the Information) is using some of the money obtained from funding provided by the World Bank for a fibre optic project – the West Africa Regional Communications Infrastructure Program (WARCIP-Guinea) for this project.

Through their management of. GN, the Guinean government has for objective to develop the internet across the country and to increase the use of ICTs as an essential tool in the short, medium and long term for the emergence of a genuine digital economy in the country and the successful contractor will be required to assist with this.

In its call for expressions of interest, the Republic of Guinea indicates that the consultant will have the mission to put the process of delegation of the ccTLD.GN from the IANA. The process will culminate in the drafting of a report for re-delegation. It should also propose options for the development of .GN on organisational and technical aspects.

Registrants of .ma (Morocco) domain names registered before 1 March 2015 are advised they need to check their registration data, according to a government announcement. The request has been made following the migration to a new platform for the management of .ma domain names. Any domain names not checked and if required updated by 31 December 2015 will be deleted.

The above information was translated into English from French and therefore may not be totally accurate. Please check the original information in the links above to ensure accuracy.

ICANN 52 Relocates To Singapore From Marrakech Over Ebola Fears

Following what ICANN describes as “community concerns that would prevent maximum participation at its next global meeting (ICANN 52, 8-12 February 2015),” which roughly translates as concerns about the spread of the Ebola virus, and a meeting that ICANN describes as “a critical one given the ongoing discussions around the IANA Stewardship Transition and ICANN Accountability,” the meeting scheduled to be held in Marrakech, Morocco has been relocated to Singapore on the same dates.According to an ICANN announcement Monday (US time), “the ICANN Board voted to make this decision following Board discussions and after extensive review of logistical considerations, available options and the Community’s request for three meetings in 2015 as well as the need to hold a successful meeting.””ICANN has been engaged in discussions with Moroccan government authorities and hosting officials and the leaders of ICANN’s Supporting Organizations (SO) and Advisory Committees (AC).”ICANN 52 will now be held at the Raffles City Convention Center in Singapore, the site of ICANN 41 (June 2011) and ICANN 49 (March 2014).”A Meeting website with the new information will be set up shortly. Funded travellers will be contacted by travel support to book for ICANN52 following the regular process.”The Board has confirmed its intent to hold the first ICANN 2016 meeting in Marrakech, Morocco taking into account the vital role of the African region to the success of ICANN’s globalisation efforts.”More information will be posted on the ICANN meetings website shortly.

ICANN Issues Statement Saying Considering Postponing Marrakech Meeting

Following a report in the Moroccan Le360 (French), ICANN have issued a statement regarding speculation their 52nd public meeting scheduled to be held in Marrakech, ICANN has issued a statement to say they are currently discussing options with the hosts.The statement says “ICANN is considering postponing the meeting in Marrakech scheduled for 8-12 February, 2015 as the likelihood of travel restrictions being imposed on nationals from African countries would reduce participation in the meeting.”The full statement is below:Statement on ICANN 52 Meeting in Marrakech, MoroccoFollowing Morocco’s recent request to postpone the Africa Cup of Nations football tournament because of possible African travel restrictions, ICANN is in active and ongoing discussions with our ICANN 52 Marrakech hosts.ICANN is considering postponing the meeting in Marrakech scheduled for 8-12 February, 2015 as the likelihood of travel restrictions being imposed on nationals from African countries would reduce participation in the meeting. ICANN’s multistakeholder, bottom up model relies on the broad, active participation of communities across geography and society.ICANN staff is working closely with the ICANN Board and its Community representatives.No decision has been taken yet, however ICANN understands the importance of providing timely updates and path forward on the status and location of ICANN 52.

ICANN Meeting In Morocco In Doubt

ICANN logoICANN has decided to postpone or cancel its upcoming meeting in Marrakech, Morocco, that was scheduled to take place from 8-12 February due to concerns of the Ebola virus according to a Moroccan media report.

According to the report in Le360, it follows the cancellation of the African Cup of Nations.

The decision to cancel or postpone the 52nd public meeting, the report says, by ICANN staff was needed after the Moroccan Government itself put emphasis on the risk to major global groups as a result of the spread of Ebola a source close to ICANN told Le360.

The source went on to say ‘Don’t be surprised if other organisations postpone events they were scheduled to hold in Morocco.’

To read the original Le360 report in French, see:
www.le360.ma/fr/economie/ebola-un-autre-grand-evenement-annule-au-maroc-23745

ICANN Packing Its Bags And Heading To Marrakech In February

ICANN logoThe ICANN Board has approved Marrakech, Morocco, as the venue for the 52nd public ICANN meeting to be held from 8 to 12 February, 2015.

The approval came in the ICANN board meeting held on 26 June at the end of the London meeting. The meeting was scheduled to be held within the African geographical region and of the submissions received, was the one ICANN felt was most suitable.