Dear colleagues,

The RIPE 80 Meeting that was scheduled to be held in Berlin from 11-15
May will be a virtual meeting with a reduced programme due to the
situation with COVID-19. RIPE is first and foremost a community, and I
take this decision to ensure the health and well-being of the people in
that community.

I take this decision together with the RIPE NCC Executive Board. I have
also listened to the feedback from the working group chairs, the RIPE
Programme Committee, the Secretariat and the community itself. I will
work with those groups to design a programme for a virtual RIPE Meeting
that will bring value to our community and allow us to engage with each
other, even if it is not the same type of engagement that we normally
enjoy at a RIPE Meeting. I will also stay in close touch with the RIPE
NCC Executive Board, who have contacted members to notify them that the
General Meeting will be facilitated remotely.

The RIPE NCC is currently investigating the best way to implement a
successful virtual RIPE Meeting, and we will keep you informed of any
updates by email and on the RIPE 80 website. We will do everything we
can to minimise disruptions to those who have already planned to attend
RIPE 80 physically, and anyone who has already paid for a ticket will be
refunded.

If you have any questions or concerns, you can always contact me
directly or on the RIPE List. And the RIPE NCC is available to assist
you with logistical help at <meeting@ripe.net> should you have questions
or need support.

I want to wish you all good health at this time.

Regards,

Hans Petter Holen
RIPE Chair