The ICANN Governmental Advisory Committee (GAC) is the designated channel for governments to participate in ICANN’s multistakeholder model. How does it make decisions? How does its decisions affect public policy? Learn more about the GAC, its operations, and its actions at: https://gacweb.icann.org/display/gacweb/Governmental+Advisory+Committee

1. What is ICANN's
Governmental Advisory
Committee (GAC)!

2. 2
WHAT!
The Governmental Advisory Committee
(GAC) provides advice to the ICANN
Board on issues of public policy,
especially where there may be an
interaction between ICANN's activities or
policies and national laws or international
agreements. !

3. 3
WHO!
Accredited representatives of: !
• national governments with distinct economies!
!
Observers:!
• Multinational governmental organizations!
• Treaty organizations!

4. 4
WHO!
Chair!
Ms. Heather Dryden, Canada!
Vice Chairs!
Mr. Peter Nettlefold - Australia!
Mr. Thomas Schneider - Switzerland!
Mr. Tracy Hackshaw - Trinidad &
Tobago!
+ Governments and others interested
in joining the GAC as a member or
observer can send a formal inquiry
to the GAC Secretariat
(gacsec@gac.icann.org)!

5. 5
HOW!
+ Works on the basis of seeking consensus among its
membership!
+ Adopts decisions by general agreement in the absence
of any formal objection!
+ When agreement not possible, will convey full range of
views expressed!

6. 6
HOW!
+ GAC members elect a chair who serves as a non-voting
liaison to the ICANN Board!
+ Each GAC member or observer may appoint one
representative and one alternate to the GAC!
+ Advisors may accompany the accredited representative!
+ All must hold a formal position with the GAC member’s
public administration!

7. 7
WHERE & WHEN!
+ Meets 3 times per year in conjunction with ICANN
meetings!
+ Interacts with ICANN Board and ICANN Supporting
Organizations, Advisory Committees, and other
stakeholders!
+ Continues internal GAC and external discussions
between ICANN meetings!

8. 8
GAC meetings are typically attended by approximately 55 national governments, as
well as various global Observer organizations such as the ITU, UNESCO, the World
Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), INTERPOL and regional organizations such
as the OECD, Asia Pacific Forum, and Council of Europe.!
!
+ Simultaneous interpretation in UN languages plus Portuguese !
+ Issues formal communiqué containing a record of meetings and advice
to the ICANN Board!
+ Website provides copies of all meeting materials including public
transcripts!
https://gacweb.icann.org/!

9. Thank You!