Thomas Schneider (42) has represented Switzerland on the GAC since 2008 and has been Vice Chairman since 2013. At present over 140 countries are represented on the Advisory Committee, which makes recommendations to ICANN's International Board of Directors. The election was held within the framework of the 51st ICANN meeting in Los Angeles.
Thomas Schneider holds a master's degree in history, economics and English. Over the past ten years he has acted as Chair and Vice Chair of various European and international committees and expert groups responsible for internet governance and the information society. Since 2003, he has coordinated Switzerland's activities and position in relation to the UN World Summit on the Information Society and issues of internet governance.
The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) is a private international organization based in Los Angeles, California. It is responsible for administration and coordination of the internet domain name system (DNS).ICANN and the GAC have become increasingly important in recent years, in particular through the approval of over 1000 new domain names such as .swiss, which is currently ongoing within ICANN.
Further information:
Governmental Advisory Committee GAC
Address for enquiries:
Press service OFCOM, +41 58 460 55 50
Publisher:
Federal Department of the Environment, Transport, Energy and Communications
Federal Department of Foreign Affairs