InternetNZ congratulates new ICANN Chair

InternetNZ congratulates new ICANN Chair

Media Release – 3 November, 2007

InternetNZ (the Internet Society of New Zealand Inc) congratulates
longstanding InternetNZ member Peter Dengate Thrush on his election as
Chair of the board of ICANN, the US-based organisation that globally
coordinates the Internet’s unique identifiers.

Dengate Thrush is a Wellington-based Internet barrister who has been
involved with ICANN since its inception in 1998. He participated in the
international working groups that lead to its formation, and has served
on numerous ICANN committees.

Regionally, Dengate Thrush was involved in setting up the Asia Pacific
Top Level Domain Association (APTLD), serving as APTLD Chair from
November 2003 to February 2007.

A member of InternetNZ’s Public Policy Committee, Dengate Thrush has
been involved with InternetNZ since it was formed in 1995, chairing the
Society from 1999 to 2001.

Dengate Thrush is thrilled with his appointment as ICANN Chair and
acknowledges the contribution that many members of InternetNZ have made
to the development of global Internet structures.

“InternetNZ recognised very early on the importance of participating in
the first steps towards global Internet governance structures. They have
always supported an ICANN based on White Paper principles,” he says.

InternetNZ President Peter Macaulay says as ICANN matures and
strengthens its already significant influence on the world stage, it is
a real accolade to have a New Zealander as ICANN Chair. He believes
Dengate Thrush will deliver an inclusive and effective style of
leadership.

InternetNZ Executive Director Keith Davidson says Dengate Thrush’s long
history of engagement in the governance of the core functions of the
Internet will serve him well in the position of Chair.

“I congratulate Peter on his success and have great confidence that his
stewardship will lead to further strengthening of the functionality of
ICANN,” says Davidson.

ends

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