Country Code Names Supporting Organization

Country Code Names Supporting Organization
Name	Country Code Names Supporting Organization
Founded	0 2003
Location	Los Angeles, California, United States
Key people	Byron Holland (Chair)
Parent organization	Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers

Country Code Names Supporting Organization. The Country Code Names Supporting Organization is a key policy development body within the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers framework, specifically dedicated to issues concerning country code top-level domains. It serves as the formal community and forum for ccTLD managers, providing a platform for developing global policies, offering advice to the ICANN Board of Directors, and fostering cooperation among national domain registries. Its establishment was a critical step in structuring the multi-stakeholder model of Internet governance.

History

The organization was formally chartered by the ICANN Board of Directors in 2003, following recommendations from the ICANN Evolution and Reform Committee. This committee was established in the wake of significant critiques of ICANN's early structure and processes. The creation of this body addressed the long-standing need for a structured, consensus-driven forum for ccTLD managers, who had previously been organized in more informal groups like the ccTLD Constituency within the Domain Name Supporting Organization. Key early figures in its formation included individuals from registries like .uk operated by Nominet UK, .de managed by DENIC, and .jp operated by Japan Registry Services.

Structure and governance

The organization operates under a formal charter ratified by the ICANN Board of Directors. Its primary components include the ccNSO Council, which acts as its executive body, and several committees tasked with specific functions. Key standing committees include the Guidelines Review Committee, which oversees procedural rules, and the Strategic and Operational Planning Committee. The structure is designed to ensure regional diversity, with council members elected from ICANN's defined geographic regions: Africa, Asia-Pacific, Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean, and North America. Day-to-day administrative support is provided by the ICANN organization staff.

Responsibilities and functions

Its core mandate is to develop and recommend global policies to the ICANN Board of Directors related to the management and administration of country code top-level domains. This includes policies on the delegation, transfer, and revocation of ccTLDs, as well as technical coordination. It also plays a vital role in facilitating consensus among ccTLD managers, providing a platform for exchanging best practices on matters like DNS Security Extensions implementation and Registry Service Provider relationships. Furthermore, it advises the ICANN Board on the needs and concerns of the ccTLD community regarding the Internet's system of unique identifiers.

ccNSO Council

The ccNSO Council is the primary governing and executive body, consisting of fifteen voting members. Three councilors are elected from each of ICANN's five geographic regions by the organization's members within those regions. The council oversees the policy development process, appoints committee chairs, and manages the organization's budget. It also selects two delegates to the ICANN Nominating Committee, which plays a crucial role in selecting leadership for ICANN's various bodies, including the ICANN Board of Directors. Past chairs have included leaders from registries such as .nu and .nz.

Membership and participation

Membership is open to all managers of IANA-delegated country code top-level domains, such as .fr (AFNIC), .br (NIC.br), and .au (.au Domain Administration). Participation is voluntary, but a significant majority of the world's ccTLD registries are members. Members have the right to vote in council elections and on policy recommendations. The organization also encourages broader community participation through its ccNSO Meetings held at ICANN Public Meetings, where observers and liaisons from groups like the Governmental Advisory Committee and the At-Large Advisory Committee can engage.

Relationship with ICANN

The organization operates as one of the three primary Supporting Organizations within ICANN, alongside the Generic Names Supporting Organization and the Address Supporting Organization. It interacts closely with other ICANN bodies, including the Governmental Advisory Committee on matters of national public policy and the Security and Stability Advisory Committee on technical issues. Policy recommendations developed and approved by the organization are forwarded to the ICANN Board of Directors for final approval, making it an integral part of the ICANN policy ecosystem. Its chair regularly reports to the ICANN Board during its public meetings.

Category:Internet governance organizations Category:ICANN