Commission coordinates action on the new Internet Assigned Numbers Authority
The issue of Internet governance has received a lot of attention in the previous months, particularly in the context of a new Internet Assigned Numbers Authority (IANA) which is to be created in the next few months. The European Commission has recently adopted a communication which underlines the urgency of the question of the membership and structure of the new corporation and the need for the attention of the private sector to be drawn to this matter. It is proposed that the Commission will facilitate the necessary consultation with the relevant organisations. In addition, the communication underlines the need for the Registries in the EU Member States to become active and organised members of the new corporation and take steps to ensure their appropriate representation. The Commission has undertaken to discuss potential obligations for registries and registrars with the US authorities and the international community. The growing importance of the EU and Member States as Internet users is also pointed out in the communication. The Commission therefore proposes to convene a meeting of those responsible for the development of the use of the Internet in the Member States and the EU Institutions to discuss how their proposed activities and interests will interact with the proposed organisation.