Indications have emerged that Nigeria may have shown interest in hosting the 2013 edition of the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN’s) international public meeting by 2013.
This disclosure came as ICANN has opened request for location recommendation for 2011.
Sources close to the Nigeria Internet Registration Association (NIRA) informed ITRealms Online that Nigeria plans to host the global internet community during one of its public meetings by 2013, noting that though the nation failed in the 2010 bid, stressing that the gap before reapply is t enable adequate preparation to be made.
Confirming this to ITRealms Online, the acting president, NIRA, Mrs. Mary Uduma, said that Nigeria is targeting to host the meeting in 2013.
However, following the announcement, last weekend by ICANN that it’s now accepting location recommendations for the meeting on the continent of Africa, it is now clear that Nigeria may not be attempting.
With the deadline for submission of application for the 2011 ‘Location Recommendations’ remaining just 36 days, ICANN said that the modified selection process for its meeting locations would be for the hosting of the 42nd international public session to be held between October 23 through 28, 2011 in Africa.
ITRealms Online recalls that last year, Nigeria through NIRA-led then by the late Ndukwe Kalu in collaboration with the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) applied for the 2010 hosting right for Africa, which eventually went to Kenya.
A press statement endorsed by the Director, Global Media Affairs at ICANN, Mr. Brad White, informed that those in the Africa geographic region are invited to submit recommendations for specific locations to hold the event.
He said, these recommended venues, along with others in the region that meet the selection criteria, will be considered, while the final location for the ICANN meeting would then be selected through the evaluation of both community-recommended and ICANN-identified locations.
Interested parties, he said, are encouraged to review the meeting selection criteria, which will be used to guide the evaluation of both community-recommended and ICANN-identified meeting locations.
“Elements such as cost of the meeting for ICANN and the community, convenience to international airports, availability of sufficient hotel guest rooms in or near the venue, meeting facilities, network infrastructure, personal safety of meeting participants, and total level of financial support will be considered by ICANN in making its final selection of a meeting site,” he said.
ICANN further said that those interested to host the meeting or a proposal for host-level financial support in Africa, are encouraged to submit the online meeting location recommendation, with the deadline fixed for August 30, this year.
ITRealms Online investigations showed that sponsorship and recommendations on a suitable host city for its meeting could be submitted online via a template at ICANN website.
Noteworthy is that each year, ICANN holds three international public meetings in different regions around the world, even as currently, ICANN’s bylaws defined the five geographic regions as Africa; Asia/Australia/Pacific; Europe; Latin America/Caribbean; and North America.
Usually, ICANN sets the dates and regions in which it will hold its meetings, indicating that proposals include at a minimum, funding and coordination for a gala event for all attendees, necessary external Internet bandwidth, provision and coordination for required Internet Protocol (IP) address space.
Equally, the meeting selection criteria outlined that the evaluation of both community-recommended and ICANN-identified meeting locations would be based on its guidelines, which must include elements such as cost of the meeting for ICANN and the community, convenience to international airports, availability of sufficient hotel guest rooms in or near the venue, meeting facilities, network infrastructure, personal safety of meeting participants, and total level of financial support will be considered by ICANN in making its final selection of a meeting site.
As well, one key factor in determining the location of the ICANN meeting will be the cost to ICANN, and to community members, though in cases where funding is being offered, it will be considered as part of the overall economic evaluation of recommended locations.
In addition, the accessibility to international airports, and convenience and cost of travel to and from the recommended city, would be considered by ICANN when selecting a location for the meeting, as well as examination of visa restrictions for individuals traveling from specific countries.
Local transportation, is another factor in the meeting venue, which should be a reasonable distance from the airport, with access to convenient and affordable public transportation, including but not limited to trains, buses, shuttles, taxis or subways will be measured. Even as the hotel accommodations located close to the meeting venue must be available for up to 1000 participants.
This, ICANN said, is because it will contract guest rooms for approximately 250 board, staff, and supported community members, more so interested in negotiating special rates for all attendees, and have the hotel guarantee the lowest possible price.
Maintaining that primary hotel accommodation costs should be reasonable, while supporting hotels should provide accommodations at varying price points.
On the meeting facilities, ICANN pointed out that it should provide excellent space for required meetings, conveniently located in a metropolitan area close to other hotels, restaurants, banks, public transportation, and shopping areas, and should provide a social environment conducive to networking among community members.
Also, ICANN emphasized that all meeting space must be available for use 24 hours per day from the start date through Friday, 28 October 2011.
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