All Africa
By Michael Ouma
ICANN has formally moved its 52nd meeting, earlier scheduled for Marrakech, Morocco in February 2015, to Singapore over Ebola fears.
Instead of Marrakech in Morocco, ICANN 52 will now be held at the Raffles City Convention Center in Singapore, the site of ICANN 41 (June 2011) and ICANN 49 (March 2014).
In a release issued yesterday, the US-based body which manages the global internet, further states that Marrakech would now host the ICANN meeting in “early 2016.”
“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,” states the release.
“Community concerns that would prevent maximum participation at its next global meeting (ICANN 52, 8-12 February 2015), a critical one given the ongoing discussions around the IANA Stewardship Transition and ICANN Accountability, has prompted ICANN to postpone the meeting in Marrakech, Morocco and to relocate to Singapore on the same dates,” states the release.
The release also states that the ICANN Board voted to make the decision following 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.”
It adds that ICANN has been engaged in discussions with Moroccan government authorities and hosting officials and the leaders of ICANN’s Supporting Organizations (SO) and Advisory Committees (AC).
