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New agreement reached on Internet domain name administration
The Office of the Government Chief Information Officer (OGCIO) of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government signed a new Designation Agreement and Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Hong Kong Internet Registration Corporation Limited (HKIRC) on March 17, with a view to enhancing the administration of Internet domain names in Hong Kong.
The agreement reconfirms the designation of HKIRC — a non-profit corporation — by the government to manage and administer “.hk” domain names, and also sets out HKIRC’s duties. In discharging its duties, HKIRC is under an obligation to uphold the rights of any persons or organizations to freedom of speech, publication, communication and religious belief, and to comply with the laws related to privacy.
The MOU states the principles that both the government and HKIRC agree to observe. As stated in the MOU, HKIRC operates independently of the government and is subject to independent audit. HKIRC will introduce measures to assure its performance, and conduct activities in an open and transparent manner.
The signing of the above documentation is the outcome of a review on Internet domain names administration in Hong Kong in 2007. The review has brought about institutional changes in HKIRC, including simplified membership classes, a restructured Board of Directors with a strong focus on corporate governance, and a new consultative and advisory panel to engage stakeholders in advising the Board and to enhance the transparency of HKIRC’s activities.
“Signing the Designation Agreement and MOU is the final step in the implementation of a new institutional framework for the administration of “.hk” domain names. The framework enhances corporate governance, openness and transparency. It will help make the best use of Internet domain names for the benefit of the Internet community and Hong Kong as a whole,” a spokesman for OGCIO said.
The new Designation Agreement and MOU are effective March 17 and are subject to future review, as well as supersede the previous documentation signed in 2002 between the government and HKIRC. A copy of the new documentation is available at the following Web sites:
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