The United States Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) has issued a statement following the mid-term review of its Joint Project Agreement (JPA) with the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN).
The essence of the statement, in keeping with ISOC’s own position, – ‘Steady as she goes. More work to be done.’

From the statement:

“Although views during the midterm review represent
diverseperspectives, there was general consensus on the
needto preserve the security and stability of the DNS
andthe recognition that ICANN is the appropriate
technicalcoordinator of the Internet DNS. ICANN has
madesignificant progress in several key areas, but most
participants agree that important work remains to
increase institutional confidence through implementing
effective processes that will enable: long term
stability; accountability; responsiveness; continued
private sector leadership, stakeholder participation;
increased contract compliance; and enhanced competition.”
“I welcome this endorsement of the ICANN model and our significant
efforts to improve ICANN’s operation,” said Peter Dengate Thrush,
Chairman of ICANN’s Board of Directors. “As I said in my statement to
the public meeting on the JPA in Washington DC, the overwhelming view
from virtually all participants is that transition is the goal and the
interest is in settling how we get there.”

“I have asked the President’s Strategy Committee to outline a plan for
developing this transition framework. They will meet in April and make a
first presentation, starting a process for further engagement with the
community at the ICANN meeting in Paris in June this year,” he said.

“This scheduled mid-term review has been a valuable process for ICANN.
It’s provided a report card on the progress we’ve made and provided
valuable feedback from the Internet community that they want to see the
process of transition proceed,” Dengate Thrush added.