This model proposed by the Commission includes a fully private and accountable Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN), accompanied by an independent judicial body, as well as a "G12 for Internet Governance" – a multilateral forum for governments to discuss general internet governance policy and security issues. This proposal aims to provide an alternative to the impending expiry of the agreement under which ICANN currently manages the governance issues on the Internet.

ICANN (Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers) deals with some of most sensitive issues related to Internet Governance, such as top level domains or management of the internet address system that ensures that millions of computers can connect to each other. ICANN was established in 1998 in California, under an agreement with the Department of Commerce of the US government.

EU Commissioner Viviane Reding stressed in a video message that "a moment of truth will come on 30 September this year, when the current agreement between ICANN and the US Government expires. This opens the door for the full privatisation of ICANN; and it also raises the question of to whom ICANN should be accountable, as from 1 October."

"Accountability of ICANN is a must," said Reding. "The Clinton administration's decision to progressively privatize the internet's domain name and addressing system is the right one. In the long run, it is not defendable that the government department of only one country has oversight of an internet function which is used by hundreds of millions of people in countries all over the world."

EU Commissioner Reding also outlined how a new model of Internet Governance could be shaped after 30 September. It could include in particular the following

• A fully privatised and independent ICANN complying with the best standards of corporate governance, in particular with those on financial transparency and internal accountability, and subject to effective judicial review.
• A multilateral forum where governments can discuss general internet governance policy issues, such as a "G12 for Internet Governance" – an informal group of government representatives that meets at least twice a year and can make, by majority, recommendations to ICANN where appropriate. This group would provide swift reaction in case of threats to the stability, security and openness of the internet. To be geographically balanced, this "G-12 for Internet Governance" would include two representatives from each North America, South America, Europe and Africa, three representatives from Asia and Australia, as well as the Chairman of ICANN as a non-voting member. International Organisations with competences in this field could be given observer status

On 6 May, the European Commission will host a first public hearing in Brussels to give Europe's Internet Community a chance to voice their expectations for the future of Internet Governance.