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:
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:
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.
Released on October 1, 2004 |
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