In a resolution tonight, the New gTLD Program Committee (NGPC) told ICANN to “defer moving forward with the contracting process for applicants who have applied for TLD strings listed in the GAC‘s Category 1 Safeguard Advice, pending a dialogue with the GAC”.

The dialogue with the GAC is according to the resolution to be held at the ICANN Meeting in Durban which is from July 14 – 18th, 2013.

Here is the resolution:

Whereas, the GAC met during the ICANN 46 meeting in Beijing and issued a Communiqué on 11 April 2013 (“Beijing Communiqué”);

Whereas, the Beijing Communiqué included Category 1 safeguard advice, which is identified in the GAC Register of Advice as 2013-04-11-Safeguards-Categories-1 (the “Category 1 Safeguard Advice”);

Whereas, on 23 April 2013, ICANN initiated a public comment forum to solicit the community’s input on how the NGPC should address GAC advice regarding safeguards applicable to broad categories of New gTLD strings <http://www.icann.org/en/news/public-comment/gac-safeguard-advice-23apr13-en.htm>;

Whereas, the NGPC met on 8 and 18 May and 4, 11, 18 and 25 June 2013 to consider a plan for responding to the GAC‘s advice on the New gTLD Program, including the Category 1 Safeguard Advice;

Whereas, the NGPC met on 2 July 2013 to further discuss and consider its plan for responding the GAC‘s advice in the Beijing Communiqué on the New gTLD Program;

Whereas, the NGPC has considered the public comments on the Category 1 Safeguard Advice submitted during the public comment forum; and

Whereas, the NGPC is undertaking this action pursuant to the authority granted to it by the Board on 10 April 2012, to exercise the ICANN Board’s authority for any and all issues that may arise relating to the New gTLD Program.

Resolved the NGPC agrees to begin a dialogue with the GAC during the ICANN Meeting in Durban to clarify the scope of the requirements provided in the Category 1 Safeguard Advice. (Note: the dialogue with the GAC on Category 1 will also include discussion of GAC‘s Category 2.1 Safeguard Advice regarding “Restricted Access” since that advice applies to the strings listed under Category 1.)

Resolved, the NGPC directs staff to defer moving forward with the contracting process for applicants who have applied for TLD strings listed in the GAC‘s Category 1 Safeguard Advice, pending a dialogue with the GAC.””