RIPE Governance

Established in 1989, Réseaux IP Européens (RIPE) is an open forum for anyone interested in the technical operation of the Internet, focusing chiefly on operations within Europe, Middle East and parts of Central Asia. Participation is open to all globally, and anyone can contribute. RIPE develops policies and best practices through Working Groups and Task Forces that meet primarily at RIPE Meetings held twice a year.

The RIPE Chair Team

"The RIPE chair ensures that the RIPE community functions well."

This sentence describes the responsibilities of the RIPE Chair as laid out in ripe-714, a RIPE document detailing the role of the RIPE Chair. The RIPE Chair is responsible for ensuring that useful Working Groups are properly created, chartered and also disbanded when appropriate. The Chair determines the location of RIPE Meetings, sets the agenda and chairs the meeting.

RIPE is currently governed by the RIPE Chair, Mirjam Kühne and Vice Chair, Niall O'Reilly, who together form the RIPE Chair team.

RIPE Documents

Policies developed by the RIPE community, reports or recommendations from RIPE Working Groups and Task Forces, procedures and organisational documents relating to the RIPE NCC are documented in the form of RIPE Documents, numbered from ripe-001 onwards. All RIPE Documents are available in the RIPE Document Store.

Working Groups and Task Forces

RIPE Working Groups bring together community members to collaborate on specific topics relevant to the RIPE community. Each group operates under a defined charter with set goals, and remains active as long as there is ongoing interest in its focus area. The work of these groups often results in the development of best practices, and policy proposals or guidance to the RIPE NCC on specific areas.

A RIPE task force is a dedicated group of RIPE community members assembled to investigate and provide insights on a specific topic or issue. Their findings serve as valuable input for broader community discussions.

RIPE Community Plenary

The RIPE Community Plenary is a session held at every RIPE Meeting, moderated by the RIPE Chair. It serves as a forum for the RIPE community to discuss topics and issues that extend beyond the scope of existing RIPE Working Groups. This plenary is the place for addressing documents, processes, or decisions that impact the whole community, such as the creation of new RIPE Working Groups or Task Forces, and where community-wide consensus is essential.

The RIPE Code of Conduct

Participants in RIPE are expected to adhere to the RIPE Code of Conduct. The strength of the community lies in the ability to have an exchange of ideas and views through its many diverse participants in a respectful and meaningful way. The Code of Conduct lays out expected behaviour and a Code of Conduct team is empowered to take action based on any reports of violations of this code.