Dear Patrik,
>-----Original Message-----
>Sent: Monday, May 06, 2013 10:38 AM
>To: GLORIOSO Andrea (CNECT)
>Cc: jim@rfc1035.com; cooperation-wg@ripe.net
>Subject: Re: [cooperation-wg] WTPF in Geneva
>My view is that any organisation that is to discuss Internet Governance is to
>follow the conclusion of WSIS in the form of the Tunis Agenda. Para 55 of the
>Tunis Agenda states:
>
>> 55. We recognize that the existing arrangements for Internet governance
>have worked effectively to make the Internet the highly robust, dynamic and
>geographically diverse medium that it is today, with the private sector taking
>the lead in day-to-day operations, and with innovation and value creation at
>the edges.
>
>As long as an organisation is not recognizing this paragraph, i.e. does not
>recognize existing arrangements, private sector lead etc, there are problems.
>
>And I claim *that* is the problem with ITU. Not that ITU discuss IG issues. Of
>course they can. Just like anyone else.
>
>So to me, to answer your question, the decision was taken when the Tunis
>Agenda was agreed on.
Not that I like too much engaging in the hermeneutics of the Tunis Agenda, but if we quote Paragraph 55, then we should also quote other paragraphs, such as:
- 35: "We reaffirm that the management of the Internet encompasses both technical and public policy issues and should involve all stakeholders and relevant intergovernmental and international organizations. In this respect it
is recognized that […] Intergovernmental organizations have had, and should continue to have, a facilitating role in the coordination of Internet-related public policy issues […]International
organizations have also had and should continue to have an important role in the development of Internet-related technical standards and relevant policies"
- 58: "We recognize that Internet governance includes more than Internet naming and addressing. It also includes other significant public policy issues such as, inter alia, critical Internet resources, the security and safety
of the Internet, and developmental aspects and issues pertaining to the use of the Internet."
- 60: "We further recognize that there are many cross-cutting international public policy issues that require attention and are not adequately addressed by the current mechanisms"
Before anyone asks: no, this does not mean that whatever the ITU claims to have as a role is what it should have. The European Commission, among others, made its position on the issue very clear, most recently in Dubai at the WCIT-12 Conference.
But a statement such as "the ITU is supposed to leave Internet Governance alone" is perhaps a bit exaggerated. We (meaning Patrik and I) seem to agree on this particular point.
Ciao,
Andrea