Press Release Nº053/2014
AUC Communiqué on the USA Government Decision to transfer the Function of the Internet Assigned Numbers Authority (IANA) to a global multistakeholder community
For an inclusive governance of the Internet critical resources

Addis Ababa 17 March 2014 – The African Union Commission (AUC) welcomed the announcement of the United States Government intention to transfer the Function of the Internet Assigned Numbers Authority (IANA) to a “global multi-stakeholder community”

“This is an historical decision for an inclusive governance of the Internet critical resources” said Dr (Mrs) Elham M. Ibrahim, the African Union Commissioner for Infrastructure and Energy with the ICT Portfolio.

Since its creation, IANA, whose function is to oversee the global IP address allocation, autonomous system number allocation, root zone management in the Domain Name System (DNS), media types, and other Internet Protocol-related symbols and numbers, has been always operating under a contract with an US agency and approved allocation of these critical resources. Like many other institutions around the world, the AUC has been calling for more inclusive approach to this allocation while keeping the Internet secure, stable and open.

"This US announcement is important for the entire global Internet Community and particularly for African countries. The African Union Commission will work together with the US and other stakeholders to ensure that IANA functions will be well governed and efficiently operated for the benefits of all citizens of the world.” added the Commissioner.

In 2012, the AUC signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the US government in which they agreed among other to cooperate in the area of information technologies. The recent visit to Washington of ICT executives from the AUC, NEPAD Agency and the Regional Economic communities permitted both parties to discussion the progress made in the area of the Management of Internet Critical Resources.