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Enhancing ICANN Accountability: Reviews & Special Projects

This page provides a high-level overview of initiatives conducted to maintain and improve ICANN’s effectiveness.

News/Updates
ICANN Continuous Improvement Program Makes Progress on a Draft Framework (28 March 2024). Listen to the ICANN 79 - ICANN Reviews Updates delivered during prep week on 22 February 2024. Work Stream 2 Implementation Summary Q4 2023 Quarterly Report New Space: Evolving Organizational Reviews into a Continuous Improvement Program (26 January 2024). The Final Process for Retirement of Non-Policy Recommendations is released. See here for more information (17 January 2024). ICANN Launches the Continuous Improvement Program Community Coordination Group (8 January 2024). ICANN Board takes action on four RDS-WHOIS2 recommendations pending Board consideration (21 December 2023).

News/Updates

ICANN Continuous Improvement Program Makes Progress on a Draft Framework (28 March 2024).
Listen to the ICANN 79 - ICANN Reviews Updates delivered during prep week on 22 February 2024.
Work Stream 2 Implementation Summary Q4 2023 Quarterly Report
New Space: Evolving Organizational Reviews into a Continuous Improvement Program (26 January 2024).
The Final Process for Retirement of Non-Policy Recommendations is released. See here for more information (17 January 2024).
ICANN Launches the Continuous Improvement Program Community Coordination Group (8 January 2024).
ICANN Board takes action on four RDS-WHOIS2 recommendations pending Board consideration (21 December 2023).

The ICANN Reviews Program encompasses the management of Specific Reviews and Organizational Reviews, including any resulting implementation work that relates to improving the reviews process. Specific and Organizational Reviews are required by ICANN Bylaws and critical to maintaining a healthy multistakeholder model. These review efforts assess how certain aspects of the ICANN ecosystem are performing, including how ICANN org, Board and the community fulfill various commitments.

SPECIFIC REVIEWS - Click here for more information *Anchored in Section 4.6 of the ICANN Bylaws*
*Accountability and Transparency (ATRT) Review* Scope: periodic review of ICANN’s execution of its commitment to maintain and improve robust mechanisms for public input, accountability, and transparency so as to ensure that the outcomes of its decision-making reflect the public interest and are accountable to the Internet community. Status: The Third Accountability and Transparency Review (ATRT3) Review is complete. Implementation of the ATRT3 recommendations is in progress.
*Competition, Consumer Trust and Consumer Choice (CCT) Review* Scope: periodic review examines the extent to which the expansion of gTLDs has promoted competition, consumer trust and consumer choice. It also assesses the effectiveness of the New gTLD Round’s application and evaluation process, as well as the safeguards put in place to mitigate issues arising from the New gTLD Round. Status: The first iteration of the CCT Review is complete. Implementation of the CCT recommendations is in progress.
*Registration Directory Service (RDS) Review* Scope: periodic review of the effectiveness of the gTLD registry directory service and whether its implementation meets the legitimate needs of law enforcement, promoting consumer trust and safeguarding registrant data. Status: The second iteration of the Registration Directory Service Review (RDS-WHOIS2) Review is complete. Implementation of the RDS-WHOIS2 recommendations is in progress.
*Security, Stability and Resiliency (SSR) Review* Scope: periodic review of ICANN’s execution of its commitment to enhance the operational stability, reliability, resiliency, security, and global interoperability of the systems and processes that are affected by the Internet’s system of unique identifiers that ICANN coordinates Status: The second Security, Stability and Resiliency Review (SSR2) Review is complete. Implementation of the SSR2 recommendations is in progress.

SPECIFIC REVIEWS - Click here for more information

Anchored in Section 4.6 of the ICANN Bylaws

Accountability and Transparency (ATRT) Review

Scope: periodic review of ICANN’s execution of its commitment to maintain and improve robust mechanisms for public input, accountability, and transparency so as to ensure that the outcomes of its decision-making reflect the public interest and are accountable to the Internet community.

Status: The Third Accountability and Transparency Review (ATRT3) Review is complete. Implementation of the ATRT3 recommendations is in progress.

Competition, Consumer Trust and Consumer Choice (CCT) Review

Scope: periodic review examines the extent to which the expansion of gTLDs has promoted competition, consumer trust and consumer choice. It also assesses the effectiveness of the New gTLD Round’s application and evaluation process, as well as the safeguards put in place to mitigate issues arising from the New gTLD Round.

Status: The first iteration of the CCT Review is complete. Implementation of the CCT recommendations is in progress.

Registration Directory Service (RDS) Review

Scope: periodic review of the effectiveness of the gTLD registry directory service and whether its implementation meets the legitimate needs of law enforcement, promoting consumer trust and safeguarding registrant data.

Status: The second iteration of the Registration Directory Service Review (RDS-WHOIS2) Review is complete. Implementation of the RDS-WHOIS2 recommendations is in progress.

Security, Stability and Resiliency (SSR) Review

Scope: periodic review of ICANN’s execution of its commitment to enhance the operational stability, reliability, resiliency, security, and global interoperability of the systems and processes that are affected by the Internet’s system of unique identifiers that ICANN coordinates

Status: The second Security, Stability and Resiliency Review (SSR2) Review is complete. Implementation of the SSR2 recommendations is in progress.

The Operating Standards mandated by ICANN Bylaws guide how current and future Specific Reviews are conducted. For more information, please visit wiki space.

ORGANIZATIONAL REVIEWS - Click here for more information *Anchored in Section 4.4 of the ICANN Bylaws*
Organizational Reviews assess the effectiveness of ICANN’s supporting organizations and advisory committees. Organizational Reviews are conducted by independent examiners to assess: (i) whether that organization, council or committee has a continuing purpose in the ICANN structure; (ii) if so, whether any change in structure or operations is desirable to improve its effectiveness; (iii) whether that organization, council or committee is accountable to its constituencies, stakeholder groups, organizations and other stakeholders.
*At-Large Advisory Committee (ALAC) Review* Status: The second At-Large Review (At-Large2) Review implementation was considered complete by the ICANN Board in September 2020. Further information available on At-Large Review page on ICANN.org
*Address Supporting Organization (ASO) Review* Status: The second Address Supporting Organization Review (ASO2) implementation was considered complete in November 2019. Further information available on ASO Review page on ICANN.org
Country Code Names Supporting Organization (ccNSO) Review Status: The second Country Code Names Supporting Organization Review (ccNSO2) implementation was considered complete by the ICANN Board in October 2021. Further information available on ccNSO Review page on ICANN.org
*Generic Names Supporting Organization (GNSO) Review* Status: The second Generic Names Supporting Organization Review (GNSO2) implementation was considered complete by the ICANN Board in January 2019. Further information available on GNSO Review page on ICANN.org
*Nominating Committee (NomCom) Review* Status: The second Nominating Committee Review (NomCom2) implementation is estimated to complete by June 2022. Further information available on NomCom Review page on ICANN.org
Root Server System Advisory Committee (RSSAC) Review Status: The second Root Server System Advisory Committee Review (RSSAC2) implementation is estimated to be completed by June 2022. Further information available on RSSAC Review page on ICANN.org
Security and Stability Advisory Committee (SSAC) Review Status: The second Security and Stability Advisory Committee Review (SSAC2) implementation was considered complete in March 2021. Further information available on SSAC Review page on ICANN.org

ORGANIZATIONAL REVIEWS - Click here for more information

Anchored in Section 4.4 of the ICANN Bylaws

Organizational Reviews assess the effectiveness of ICANN’s supporting organizations and advisory committees. Organizational Reviews are conducted by independent examiners to assess: (i) whether that organization, council or committee has a continuing purpose in the ICANN structure; (ii) if so, whether any change in structure or operations is desirable to improve its effectiveness; (iii) whether that organization, council or committee is accountable to its constituencies, stakeholder groups, organizations and other stakeholders.

At-Large Advisory Committee (ALAC) Review

Status: The second At-Large Review (At-Large2) Review implementation was considered complete by the ICANN Board in September 2020.

Further information available on At-Large Review page on ICANN.org

Address Supporting Organization (ASO) Review

Status: The second Address Supporting Organization Review (ASO2) implementation was considered complete in November 2019.

Further information available on ASO Review page on ICANN.org

Country Code Names Supporting Organization (ccNSO) Review

Status: The second Country Code Names Supporting Organization Review (ccNSO2) implementation was considered complete by the ICANN Board in October 2021.

Further information available on ccNSO Review page on ICANN.org

Generic Names Supporting Organization (GNSO) Review

Status: The second Generic Names Supporting Organization Review (GNSO2) implementation was considered complete by the ICANN Board in January 2019.

Further information available on GNSO Review page on ICANN.org

Nominating Committee (NomCom) Review

Status: The second Nominating Committee Review (NomCom2) implementation is estimated to complete by June 2022.

Further information available on NomCom Review page on ICANN.org

Root Server System Advisory Committee (RSSAC) Review

Status: The second Root Server System Advisory Committee Review (RSSAC2) implementation is estimated to be completed by June 2022.

Further information available on RSSAC Review page on ICANN.org

Security and Stability Advisory Committee (SSAC) Review

Status: The second Security and Stability Advisory Committee Review (SSAC2) implementation was considered complete in March 2021.

Further information available on SSAC Review page on ICANN.org

Operational Reviews
IANA Naming Functions Review (IFR) Scope: Implemented in 2016 to review the performance of the IANA Naming Function against contractual requirements and in relation to the needs and expectations of its naming customers.

Operational Reviews

IANA Naming Functions Review (IFR)

Scope: Implemented in 2016 to review the performance of the IANA Naming Function against contractual requirements and in relation to the needs and expectations of its naming customers.

Enhancing ICANN Accountability - Work Streams
*Enhancing ICANN Accountability - Work Streams* Scope: The project was created as initial discussions of the IANA Stewardship Transition were taking place to provide assurance that ICANN remains accountable in the absence of any contractual relationship with the U.S. Government: Work Stream 1 of the Cross-Community Working Group on Enhancing Accountability (CCWG-ACCT) was approved and implemented. Work Stream 2 entails accountability and transparency-related recommendations which cover a range of topics, such as diversity, human rights, the ICANN Office of the Ombuds, and transparency. Status: Work Stream 2 in implementation - Learn more about the progress in implementing WS2 Recommendations.

Enhancing ICANN Accountability - Work Streams

Enhancing ICANN Accountability - Work Streams

Scope: The project was created as initial discussions of the IANA Stewardship Transition were taking place to provide assurance that ICANN remains accountable in the absence of any contractual relationship with the U.S. Government:

Work Stream 1 of the Cross-Community Working Group on Enhancing Accountability (CCWG-ACCT) was approved and implemented.
Work Stream 2 entails accountability and transparency-related recommendations which cover a range of topics, such as diversity, human rights, the ICANN Office of the Ombuds, and transparency.

Status: Work Stream 2 in implementation - Learn more about the progress in implementing WS2 Recommendations.

Special Projects
Continuous Improvement Program Pilot Recommendation 3.6 from Community Accountability and Transparency Review Team (ATRT3) requires the evolution of Organizational Reviews into a Continuous Improvement Program for the SOs, ACs, and the NomCom. The work to implement the Continuous Improvement Program will begin as a pilot, based on the direction from the ICANN Board. Status: ICANN is finalizing the governance plan for the Continuous Improvement Program and developing a Community Coordination Group (CIP-CCG) with the community. CIP Framework development will take place soon after ICANN78.
Enhancing Effectiveness of ICANN’s Multistakeholder Model Scope: “Enhancing the Effectiveness of the ICANN’s Multistakeholder Model” project originated in 2019 with the objective to refine and further improve the ICANN’s multistakeholder model of governance. The analysis conducted on the model identified six overarching areas and gaps that should be addressed to improve the functioning of the model. The following three areas were prioritized for a more immediate-term investigation: Prioritization of the work & efficient use of resources; Precision in scoping the work; and Consensus, representation, and inclusivity. Status: In implementation
Pilot Holistic Review: Recommendation 3.5 from Community Accountability and Transparency Review Team (ATRT3) calls for the creation of the Holistic Review, a new Specific Review, to consider the effectiveness of the continuous improvement programs of Supporting Organizations (SOs), Advisory Committees (ACs), and the Nominating Committee, the accountability of SOs and ACs or their constituent parts to their members/constituencies, and whether the SOs, ACs and the NomCom have a continuing purpose as they are currently constituted. The work to implement the Holistic Review will begin as a pilot, based on the direction from the ICANN Board. Status: A Public Comment proceeding on the initial Pilot Holistic Review Draft ToR in 2022 revealed diverging community views on the pilot and Holistic Review. To address the public comments, the Organizational Effectiveness Committee (OEC) of the Board reconvened the drafting ToR Development Team to revise the ToR document in March 2023. Following completion of the revisions, the Board directed ICANN org to open a Public Comment proceeding on the revised Draft ToR. A Public Comment proceeding opened on 28 September 2023 and will close on 27 November 2023.
*The Lifecycle of Reviews* *Project* Scope: The Lifecycle of Reviews Project is an internal project aimed to enhance the end-to-end process, support and approach for strategically, proactively, and cohesively managing the Reviews process to continue to evolve in achieving Reviews purpose. The Lifecycle of Reviews project ties into other current projects and pilots, including the Holistic Review Pilot, ICANN Prioritization Framework Pilot, and the Deferral of Organizational and Specific Reviews. These activities influence one another and will require regular communications with the community. The Lifecycle of Reviews project will inform best practices going forward for Reviews, including the overall, continuous program of Reviews for ICANN org. Status: Following an analysis of over five years of input on Specific Reviews from across ICANN, ICANN org developed a series of proposed procedural improvements. ICANN drafted a Thought Paper to facilitate high-level discussions with the community on the existing challenges and proposed improvements to the Specific Review process. The work to further develop the proposed improvements will culminate in a draft revision of the Operating Standards for Specific Reviews which will be published for Public Comment.

Special Projects

Continuous Improvement Program Pilot

Recommendation 3.6 from Community Accountability and Transparency Review Team (ATRT3) requires the evolution of Organizational Reviews into a Continuous Improvement Program for the SOs, ACs, and the NomCom. The work to implement the Continuous Improvement Program will begin as a pilot, based on the direction from the ICANN Board.

Status: ICANN is finalizing the governance plan for the Continuous Improvement Program and developing a Community Coordination Group (CIP-CCG) with the community. CIP Framework development will take place soon after ICANN78.

Enhancing Effectiveness of ICANN’s Multistakeholder Model

Scope: “Enhancing the Effectiveness of the ICANN’s Multistakeholder Model” project originated in 2019 with the objective to refine and further improve the ICANN’s multistakeholder model of governance. The analysis conducted on the model identified six overarching areas and gaps that should be addressed to improve the functioning of the model. The following three areas were prioritized for a more immediate-term investigation: Prioritization of the work & efficient use of resources; Precision in scoping the work; and Consensus, representation, and inclusivity.

Status: In implementation

Pilot Holistic Review:

Recommendation 3.5 from Community Accountability and Transparency Review Team (ATRT3) calls for the creation of the Holistic Review, a new Specific Review, to consider the effectiveness of the continuous improvement programs of Supporting Organizations (SOs), Advisory Committees (ACs), and the Nominating Committee, the accountability of SOs and ACs or their constituent parts to their members/constituencies, and whether the SOs, ACs and the NomCom have a continuing purpose as they are currently constituted. The work to implement the Holistic Review will begin as a pilot, based on the direction from the ICANN Board.

Status: A Public Comment proceeding on the initial Pilot Holistic Review Draft ToR in 2022 revealed diverging community views on the pilot and Holistic Review. To address the public comments, the Organizational Effectiveness Committee (OEC) of the Board reconvened the drafting ToR Development Team to revise the ToR document in March 2023. Following completion of the revisions, the Board directed ICANN org to open a Public Comment proceeding on the revised Draft ToR. A Public Comment proceeding opened on 28 September 2023 and will close on 27 November 2023.

The Lifecycle of Reviews Project

Scope: The Lifecycle of Reviews Project is an internal project aimed to enhance the end-to-end process, support and approach for strategically, proactively, and cohesively managing the Reviews process to continue to evolve in achieving Reviews purpose. The Lifecycle of Reviews project ties into other current projects and pilots, including the Holistic Review Pilot, ICANN Prioritization Framework Pilot, and the Deferral of Organizational and Specific Reviews. These activities influence one another and will require regular communications with the community. The Lifecycle of Reviews project will inform best practices going forward for Reviews, including the overall, continuous program of Reviews for ICANN org.

Status: Following an analysis of over five years of input on Specific Reviews from across ICANN, ICANN org developed a series of proposed procedural improvements. ICANN drafted a Thought Paper to facilitate high-level discussions with the community on the existing challenges and proposed improvements to the Specific Review process. The work to further develop the proposed improvements will culminate in a draft revision of the Operating Standards for Specific Reviews which will be published for Public Comment.