November 26, 2007, marked the fifth anniversary of the day ICANN recognized LACNIC, the Internet Address Registry for Latin America and the Caribbean, and its constitution as one of the five RIRs (Regional Internet Registries) around the world.
The occasion was celebrated at an event held within the framework of the Open-Doors Day that was programmed as part of the activities with which LACNIC commemorated its fifth anniversary. Approximately one hundred representatives of the Latin American and Caribbean Internet community were present at LACNIC’s facilities, together with national and local authorities, diplomatic representatives and other guests. These facilities were inaugurated less than a year ago, and are located at Rambla República de México 6125 in the city of Montevideo, Uruguay.
During the course of a simple ceremony attended by national authorities and diplomatic representatives, LACNIC members, business chambers, universities, colleagues, civil society representatives, and the entire LACNIC Board of Directors, Oscar Messano, president of the organization, thanked the staff and the Executive Director for all the achievements attained during these first five years of institutional consolidation.
Raúl Echeberría, Executive Director, closed the ceremony with a brief recap of some of the most outstanding activities LACNIC has carried out during these intense five years:
"During the past five years, more than 28 million IPv4 addresses have been allocated; compared with the 3.5 million addresses allocated during the previous five-year period, this figure represents an eight-fold growth in terms of the volume allocated to the region. In addition, we are promoting the adoption of IPv6 address space and the number of individuals that make up LACNIC’s staff has grown five-fold, from a mere three people to the current staff made up by sixteen highly qualified individuals."
Internet’s vertiginous rate of development sometimes makes it difficult to communicate the vast number of actions and daily achievements. LACNIC has participated in hundreds of international meetings, making a relevant voice heard in representation of the region’s Internet community.
He recalled that during these five years LACNIC has organized ten meetings in different countries around the region, and sponsored dozens of organizations and institutions to help them hold their own.
“During the course of these few years we have sponsored tens of researchers and individuals so that they were able to participate in our meetings or attend international training events such as WALC." With these words Mr. Echeberría highlighted the synergy that exists between his organization and the different organizations within the industry, an important example of which, he added, is the attendance present at this evening’s celebrations.
With the FRIDA Program we have advanced simultaneously in terms of developing strategic alliances with other international organizations as well as funding researchers, for which 480,000 dollars were granted to 26 projects that are under execution and that support the region’s true development.
We have provided financial and logistic support for the installation of root servers in Santiago de Chile, Buenos Aires, Ecuador, Panama and Caracas, and it is our intention to extend this to other countries of our region within the framework of the +Raices Program.
He concluded by recalling the important impulse given to convergence technologies within the region, promoting innovation through the implementation of the new IPV6 protocol.
The cool yet pleasant Montevideo afternoon allowed guests to enjoy LACNIC’s gardens and the wonderful view of the Rio de la Plata from the Internet community’s magnificent headquarters.
