Skip Links
U.S. Department of State
HomeContact UsEmail this PageFOIAPrivacy NoticeArchiveEspanol
Search
U.S. Department of State
About the State Dept.Press and Public AffairsTravel and Living AbroadCountries and RegionsInternational IssuesHistory, Education and CultureBusiness CenterOther ServicesEmployment
 [Print Friendly Version]
   

ICANN Oversight and Security of Internet Root Servers and the Domain Name System (DNS)


Ambassador David A. Gross , U.S. Coordinator, International Communications and Information Policy
Testimony before the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation
Subcommittee on Communications
September 30, 2004

Mr. Chairman and distinguished Members of the Subcommittee:

Thank you for holding this important hearing and I appreciate the opportunity to testify concerning the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) and on discussions that have been taking place internationally on the issue of Internet governance. I am Ambassador David Gross, the U.S. Coordinator for International Communications and Information Policy (CIP) at the Department of State. The Department of State has primary authority and ultimate responsibility for establishing U.S. foreign policy with respect to international communications and information policy, in close coordination with numerous Government agencies.

I would like to describe our accomplishments at Phase I of WSIS, update you on how Phase II is progressing, and articulate our key objectives for Phase II as they relate to the foreign policy dimensions of the issue of Internet governance. I will also summarize current international discussions relating to the Internet and the key principles that the U.S. believes will promote the continued growth, reliability, and stability of the Internet.

Let me first emphasize that we should all be proud of the role that the U.S. has played in the development and stewardship of the Internet. Information and communication technologies (ICT) have transformed our world and created new opportunities on a global scale. The Internet provides tremendous opportunities for economic and social development. The Internet has become a key medium for communicating information and ideas and conducting business. It has promoted education through distance learning, facilitated scientific advancements through sharing of research, and expanded the reach of health care through telemedicine. It has changed the way we live, learn, and work, and it will continue to transform our lives.

Recognizing the central role that information and communication technologies play in economic and social development, the United Nations has sponsored the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) to focus world attention on the issues related to information and communication technologies and their uses for economic and social development. The World Summit on Information Society is being held in two phases. Phase I took place in Geneva in December of 2003, and Phase II will take place in Tunisia in November of 2005.

I had the honor of leading the U.S. delegation to Phase I of the Summit. Dr. John Marburger, the Science Adviser to the President and Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy, represented the President at the Summit and delivered the U.S. address to the Summit. The Summit resulted in a Declaration of Principles and Plan of Action. As part of the WSIS process, the global community came together for the first time to recognize that information and communication technologies are a key element of political progress, economic growth, and social development. By agreeing to the Declaration of Principles and Plan of Action, the United States reaffirmed our commitment to the importance of the use of ICTs to promote peace, security and stability, and to enhance democracy, respect for human rights, open and transparent government and the rule of law. We are pleased that through the adoption of the WSIS Declaration of Principles and Plan of Action, the international community recognized that infrastructure development, human capacity building, and network security are critical to achieving our vision.

A global consensus emerged at the Summit that a multi-stakeholder approach to the development of ICTs and, in particular the Internet, is essential. Relevant stakeholders include Governments, international organizations, the private sector and civil society. The Summit recognized the importance of private and public sector involvement as a prerequisite for the successful international coordination and cooperation needed to meet our shared goal of ensuring that all the world’s inhabitants realize the benefits afforded by the Internet.

The delegates to WSIS identified and achieved consensus on a series of difficult issues that represent key challenges presented by the Information Society in which we now live:

  • First, Governments affirmed their commitment to freedom of the press and freedom of expression.
  • Second, Governments agreed that achieving ubiquitous and affordable access to ICT infrastructure and services requires a stable policy and regulatory environment that attracts private investment, fosters competition, and promotes the development of human capacity through education and training.
  • Third, WSIS also recognized that building confidence in the security of ICTs is critical and that cooperation is needed to foster a global culture of cyber security.
  • Fourth, WSIS also acknowledged the importance of intellectual property protection to the Information Society.

Phase II of WSIS will focus on three themes – implementation of the Geneva Declaration of Principles and Plan of Action, financing mechanisms for ICT development, and Internet governance. Phase II will not reopen the agreements reached in Phase I. Instead, it will provide the United States an opportunity to reaffirm the importance of freedom of expression, promotion of democracy, advancement of scientific research and development, human capacity building, infrastructure development, growth of the Internet and a continued leadership role for the private sector, and network security.

As agreed during Phase I of WSIS, the UN Secretary General is establishing the Working Group on Internet Governance (WGIG). This group will do the following:

  1. develop a working definition of Internet governance;
  2. identify the public policy issues that are relevant to Internet governance;
  3. develop a common understanding of the respective roles and responsibilities of governments, existing intergovernmental and international organizations and other forums as well as the private sector and civil society from both developing and developed countries; and
  4. prepare a report on the results of this activity to be presented for consideration and appropriate action for the Second Phase of WSIS in Tunis in 2005.
Consultations on the establishment of the WGIG were held on September 20-21 in Geneva to obtain the views of the various stakeholders. The meeting was well attended with broad participation from governments, private sector, civil society and the academic community. The Group agreed that future discussions on this issue should go forward in a transparent and inclusive environment. To assist the work of the WGIG, the United States submitted a paper encouraging the WGIG to adopt six guiding principles with respect to Internet development. These principles promote the continued growth, reliability, and stability of the Internet and encourage innovation. They are to:
  • Promote an enabling environment through effective and efficient competition: To maximize the economic and social benefits of the Internet, a clear, market-based, legal framework and supportive policy environment that promotes and ensures effective and efficient competition is important. The United States believes that full competition is the cornerstone of a healthy, robust Internet market. Innovation, expanded services, and lower prices will arise most easily in a market-driven arena, not in an environment that operates under substantial regulation.
  • Recognize the roles of all stakeholders: One of the main drivers of the success of the Internet has been its distributed nature. This open architecture has encouraged innovation by all stakeholders. Cooperation and partnership among all stakeholders is fundamental to building a people-centred Information Society. Public-private partnerships are essential to this effort.
  • Support continued private sector leadership: The private sector is the primary investor in and innovator of Internet infrastructure, products, content, and services. Private sector participants are the primary stakeholders who build, operate and maintain the IP-based networks that collectively form the Internet and are largely responsible for its commercial success. Consequently it is imperative that private sector leadership in these areas be maintained and encouraged.
  • Avoid overly prescriptive or burdensome regulation: The Internet exists in a dynamic, fast-changing environment. Competitive market forces, rather than prescriptive rules, more effectively respond to public needs. While being cautious not to use outdated regulatory models on the Internet, the United States recognizes that each country needs to address its domestic public policy objectives. However, often the costs of regulation can outweigh the benefits of regulation. Therefore, we encourage countries to examine the pros and cons of regulation prior to adoption, on a case-by-case basis, in a full and open process.
Ensure the stability and security of networks: Confidence in the security and stability of the Internet is essential if the economic and social potential of the Internet is to be achieved.
  • Embrace the global, collaborative and cooperative nature of the network: The Internet is intrinsically global in nature and national efforts need to be supported by effective international and regional cooperation. Efforts should be made to enhance existing synergies and not duplicate the extensive body of work already underway in the global and regional bodies.

The U.S. funds several information and communication technology programs in furtherance of these principles. For example, the Digital Freedom Initiative (DFI) is an initiative established by President Bush to provide small businesses and entrepreneurs with information and communication technology skills and knowledge to compete in the global economy. Our current DFI partners are Senegal, Indonesia, Peru, and Jordan. Over 90 U.S. businesses, non-governmental and academic institutions comprise the DFI Business Roundtable and provide volunteers for the Program.

The Telecommunications Leadership Program (TLP) is a joint State Department/USAID Program that, in coordination with other agencies including National Telecommunications and Information Administration and the Federal Communications Commission, provides technical assistance and builds institutional capacity in developing countries to reform their telecommunications policies and practices. TLP’s primary goal is to help developing country governments establish fair, transparent, and market-oriented telecommunications policies and practices. Typical projects include training for developing country telecommunication officials and workshops on current telecommunications issues. USAID has a wide variety of important programs that support telecommunications in many developing countries around the world.

The Internet governance debate has stimulated many views and proposals but we all agree on one essential fact – the Internet is the leading transforming technology of today. We will work to ensure that the consensus achieved in the Geneva Phase of the WSIS process – international recognition and support for a multi-stakeholder approach to the Internet – can be further elaborated for the benefit of all. Internet governance will be debated and discussed in other multilateral settings over the next few years. These include the International Telecommunication Union’s Plenipotentiary Conference scheduled for 2006 and a possible Treaty-level conference on International Telecommunications Regulations in 2007. We will continue to actively participate in these discussions and to reiterate the importance of private sector leadership and support for the privatization of the technical management of the domain name system as envisioned in the ICANN model. That multi-stakeholder model has served the United States and the global digital economy well.

As we approach the issue of Internet governance, the United States is aware of the paramount goal of building an open, empowering Information Society. Communication technologies link the nations of the world. The Internet is one key that can unlock the door to limitless opportunities for all stakeholders in society. Given the Internet’s potential to drive economic growth, foster the exchange of information and ideas, and spread democracy, the challenge is to ensure that all persons fully enjoy the benefits provided by these technologies.

This concludes my prepared remarks. I would be happy to answer any questions that you may have.
[End]


Released on October 1, 2004
  
This site is managed by the Bureau of Public Affairs, U.S. Department of State.
External links to other Internet sites should not be construed as an endorsement of the views contained therein.
Copyright Information | Disclaimers