Accountability and Transparency Reviews (ATRT)

Objectives of the ATRT Review

As part of the Affirmation of Committments (AoC), ICANN commits to maintain and improve robust mechanisms for public input, accountability, and transparency so as to ensure that the outcomes of its decision-making will reflect the public interest and be accountable to all stakeholders by:

1. continually assessing and improving ICANN Board of Directors (Board) governance which shall include an ongoing evaluation of Board performance, the Board selection process, the extent to which Board composition meets ICANN's present and future needs, and the consideration of an appeal mechanism for Board decisions;
2. assessing the role and effectiveness of the GAC and its interaction with the Board and making recommendations for improvement to ensure effective consideration by ICANN of GAC input on the public policy aspects of the technical coordination of the DNS;
3. continually assessing and improving the processes by which ICANN receives public input (including adequate explanation of decisions taken and the rationale thereof);
4. continually assessing the extent to which ICANN's decisions are embraced, supported and accepted by the public and the Internet community; and
5. assessing the policy development process to facilitate enhanced cross community deliberations, and effective and timely policy development.

Integral to the foregoing reviews will be assessments of the extent to which the Board and staff have implemented the recommendations arising out of the other commitment reviews enumerated below.

Timeline of Review

• First review to be concluded no later than December 31st 2010
• Further reviews to be conducted no less frequently than every three years

Two community reviews have assessed ICANN's commitment "to maintain and improve robust mechanisms for public input, accountability, and transparency" since the AoC was instituted. See tables below for more information, starting with the most recent review "ATRT2", followed by the first review "ATRT1".

The graphic below illustrates phases and status of each review - a  indicates that all activities within a given phase have been completed.  The chart that follows the graphic provides further details of key activities and milestones within each phase – you can view these details by clicking on each of the phases in the graphic.  The table also contains links to relevant documents.

The graphic below illustrates phases and status of each review - a  indicates that all activities within a given phase have been completed.  The chart that follows the graphic provides further details of key activities and milestones within each phase – you can view these details by clicking on each of the phases in the graphic.  The table also contains links to relevant documents.

Highlights of implementation actions for ATRT1 include:

To provide better access to, and insight into, Board decisions, ICANN has incorporated the following into its standard operating procedures (SOP):

• Posts extensive Board meeting information (including briefing materials and expanded minutes).
• Publishes conditions for redaction of posted Board briefing materials.
• Provides translations into the six UN Languages of approved Board resolutions and minutes of Board meetings, which are posted within the 21-day timeframe.
• Posts rationales for Board actions and Board briefing materials.

To improve ICANN's "AoC Review Mechanisms for Board Decisions":

• The "Reconsideration Requests" webpage has been revamped so the public has a standard timeline, format, and explanations for all Reconsideration Requests (all part of SOP).
• Accountability Structures Expert Panel assessed ICANN's Reconsideration and Independent AoC Review Processes, resulting in Bylaws revisions to make the recommended improvements.
• The Board approved the Ombudsman framework and confirmed that it is consistent with international standards.

To improve the process for selecting ICANN Directors and address recommendations on Board composition:

• The Nominating Committee (NomCom) annually consults with the ICANN community on skillset requirements to consider when making appointments to leadership positions.
• The Board annually provides the NomCom with information on the Board's skillsets.
• New NomCom guidelines were approved by the Board and instituted, including internal procedures and a code of conduct.
• The Board approved compensation to voting Directors for their services to ICANN and revised the ICANN Conflicts of Interest Policy and ICANN Bylaws.

To help advance the effectiveness of the Governmental Advisory Committee (GAC) and its interaction with the Board:

• ICANN increased funding, multilingual access services, and staff resources to support the work of the GAC.
• The GAC has clarified what constitutes GAC advice.
• A formal, documented process for requesting and tracking GAC advice has been launched.
• Regional plans were developed for increasing involvement in ICANN.
• Board-GAC face-to-face interactions have been increased.

To improve the processes ICANN uses to gain public input and develop policy:

• ICANN's Bylaws have been translated into multiple languages.
• A Language Services Policies and Procedures [PDF, 277 KB] has been implemented.
• ICANN's Public Comment Webpage was revamped to make it easier to find and understand opportunities for public comment, and a list of upcoming comment periods is posted here.
• A stratified, prioritized public notice & comment process was implemented, including a comment/reply cycle for each issue under public comment.  Additional improvements were implemented subsequently, in part to respond to the recommendations of ATRT2.

To help ensure ICANN staffing arrangements are appropriately multilingual, job postings and related forms have been updated and language training programs have been identified for ICANN staff.

Finally, in terms of overarching activities, resources required to implement the ATRT Recommendations were included in the FY12 Operating Plan and Budget [PDF, 2.51 MB], and proposed metrics and benchmarks are under development.

Information on Reconsideration & Independent AoC Review can be found here.

Information on Documentary Disclosure Information Policy requests can be found here.

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