Brussels, 06 Dec 2002
The Council heard a report from the Commission on international management of the Internet, and in particular on the reform of ICANN (Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers), the non-profit-making organisation which has co-ordinated the Internet domain name system since 1998.
The Commission's report focused on an ICANN meeting held in Shanghai from to 31 October, the results of which it considers to be very positive for the European Union. The Commission has agreed to provide, on an interim basis from 1 December, the secretariat for Government Advisory Committee, the body through which national governments participate in ICANN, advising it on matters that concern them, through nonŒbinding recommendations.
The Member States and the Commission participated in the Shanghai meeting in accordance with guidelines agreed on by the Permanent Representatives Committee on 23 October, and on the basis of the mandate issued by the Council at its session on 25 and 26 March.