FAQ
What is ICP-2?
ICP-2 is the Internet Coordination Policy developed in 2001 through the Address Supporting Organization (ASO), with the assistance of APNIC, ARIN, and RIPE NCC to establish the criteria for the recognition of new Regional Internet Registries (RIRs).
Historically, the criteria set forth was implicitly considered to be the standard that all RIRs must adhere to for the maintenance of their accreditation and recognition.
Why is ICP-2 currently under review?
The Internet landscape has changed significantly over the last two decades. The Number Resource Organization Executive Council (NRO EC), in conjunction with the Address Supporting Organization Address Council (ASO AC), decided it was time to review and update ICP-2 to meet current needs. It is the intent of the NRO EC that the updated ICP-2 will ensure the continued stability and self-governance of the Internet Numbers Registry System.
Why is ICP-2 important?
RIRs manage the allocation and distribution of Internet number resources such as IP addresses and Autonomous System Numbers within their specified regions. They are responsible for ensuring a fair and organized system for managing and distributing these resources based on justified need which allows the Internet to function smoothly. Because the ICP-2 document establishes criteria for the establishment and recognition of the RIRs, it is a crucial guiding document to preserve the health of the global Internet.
What is the scope of the ICP-2 update?
ICP-2 was drafted over two decades ago. The NRO EC tasked the NRO NC with updating this document with the aim of strengthening the self-governance and accountability of the RIRs.
The goal of this process is to ensure that ICP-2 continues to reflect the fundamental principles required for recognizing and evaluating new Regional Internet Registries (RIRs), while also ensuring ongoing compliance with those principles, in keeping with the Internet of today. The NRO NC is not looking to fundamentally change or redesign the existing RIR system. The focus is on identifying existing gaps and areas of improvement.
While the implementation of the updated document is of great interest and importance, this is beyond the scope of the NRO NC’s review. ICP-2 is not an operational document; it sets out the principles that RIRs must adhere to. Once ICP-2 has been updated, the RIRs will develop implementation processes and compliance requirements.
What is the process of the ICP-2 review?
The full process is published and notes completed steps.
Currently, the NRO NC has proposed a draft “Governance Document for the Recognition, Maintenance, and Derecognition of Regional Internet Registries” that aims to update ICP-2. The document can be viewed here.
How are the RIR communities and other stakeholders involved?
The NRO NC has now invited input on the draft “Governance Document for the Recognition, Maintenance, and Derecognition of Regional Internet Registries”. In addition, the ICANN community is also engaged in this review using their public comment process.
All planned sessions and mailing lists for community engagement are listed here. Open sessions will be held in various formats, in-person, as well as online synchronous and asynchronous opportunities to provide feedback on the draft “RIR Governance Document”.
From 8 October until 6 December 2024, the RIRs hosted a questionnaire to gain feedback on the ICP-2 principles.
Announcements are published by the NRO, RIRs, and ICANN at each phase of the process to update ICP-2 to invite community participation and engagement.
How will the NRO NC use the community feedback?
The NRO NC has called for input from the community on the draft “Governance Document for the Recognition, Maintenance, and Derecognition of Regional Internet Registries”. This input will be used to inform any amendments to the document.
The analysis and complete results of the questionnaire on the ICP-2 principles was published on 24 February 2024. This feedback has been reviewed by the NRO NC and has been factored into the draft “Governance Document for the Recognition, Maintenance, and Derecognition of Regional Internet Registries”. Feedback on the draft will be reviewed and considered for further revision to the document. The RIRs and NRO will work together to publish and promote the opportunities for community input.
Community input is a critical component of the revision process, and the NRO NC appreciates all input from the global community.
How can I participate?
Consider attending an RIR meeting or RIR webinars; NRO NC members will be presenting information about ICP-2 at various RIR events throughout the year. All further opportunities for community feedback will be published by the RIRs and NRO, so we recommend subscribing to the mailing lists in your region to stay informed.
How can the AFRINIC community participate in this process, given there are currently no representatives from the region on the NRO NC?
Although AFRINIC currently does not have representatives on the NRO NC/ASO AC, the monthly ASO AC calls are open to all observers. Anyone interested in following the NRO NC’s work can join the calls as an observer. Further, AFRINIC staff are also invited to attend these calls on equal footing along with staff from other RIRs.
The AFRINIC community is invited to provide input on the draft “RIR Governance Document” via a dedicated mailing list. Further, AFRINIC will hold a webinar with representatives from the NRO NC to share the work done so far and to gather input from the community. Community engagement efforts, including those for the AFRINIC community, are available here.
In 2024, representatives from the NRO NC presented an update on the work being done at the Africa Internet Summit. We will try to find a suitable opportunity to engage with the AFRINIC community at an in-person event if possible. Webinars or online sessions will also be organised specifically for the AFRINIC community.
We look forward to AFRINIC being able to appoint community representatives to the NRO NC/ASO AC.
Will the ICP-2 update affect National Internet Registries (NIRs)?
National Internet Registries (NIRs) have agreements with their respective Regional Internet Registries (RIRs). Any updates to ICP-2 will not impact existing contractual agreements between RIRs and NIRs.
Last modified on 15/04/2025