ICANN 52 relocates to Singapore, Marrakech now for 2016

… Africans furious

ITRealms:

The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) has moved its 52 public meeting Marrakech, Morroco in Africa to Singapore in the Asia Pacific on February 8-12, 2015, reports ITRealms.

ICANN also confirms to ITRealms that the previously Marrakech meeting to be hosted in Morroco has now been rescheduled for early 2016.

ITRealms gathered from ICANN leadership that based on purported community concerns, the next public meeting scheduled for February 8-12, 2015 has to be moved away from Marrakech, Morroco and the Africa continent.

This change in mind has made some AfriCANN’s – both enthusiast and followers of ICANN on the continent; expressed some displeasures, especially considering the economic implication of the relocation of ICANN52 from Africa.

Our sources at ICANN confirmed to ITRealms that owing to what was tagged “community concerns” that would prevent maximum participation at its next global meeting given the ongoing discussions around the IANA Stewardship Transition and ICANN Accountability, allegedly prompted ICANN to postpone the meeting in Marrakech, Morocco and relocated to Singapore on the same dates.

ITRealms reliably gathered that ICANN Board voted to make this decision following the Board discussions and after extensive review of logistical considerations, available options and the community's request for three meetings in 2015 as well as the need to hold a successful meeting.

ICANN, ITRealms learnt, has been in discussions with Moroccan government and relevant authorities and hosting officials as well as the leaders of ICANN's Supporting Organizations (SO) and Advisory Committees (AC).

ICANN maintained that its 52th public meeting will now be held at the Raffles City Convention Center in Singapore, the site of ICANN 41 (June 2011) and ICANN 49 (March 2014).

ITRealms further gathered that ICANN is finalizing arrangement for a meeting website with the new information to be set up shortly. While funded travelers will be contacted by travel support to book for ICANN52 following the regular process.

“The Board has confirmed its intent to hold the first ICANN 2016 meeting in Marrakech, Morocco taking into account the vital role of the African region to the success of ICANN's globalization efforts,” ICANN officials affirmed.

 +Remmy Nweke +Remmy Nweke (ITRealms)  @NGRCommTech @NgComCommission @ITU
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