What is a global IP address allocation policy?

The ASO MoU (21 October 2004)

 Global policies are defined within the scope of this agreement as Internet number resource policies that have the agreement of all RIRs [Regional Internet Registries] according to their policy development processes and ICANN, and require specific actions or outcomes on the part of IANA or any other external ICANN-related body in order to be implemented

How are the global policies developed?

The Regional Internet Registries are governed by policies that are the result of bottom up community driven proposals that are debated through the Policy Development Process (PDP) on the mailing lists and at the public policy meetings held twice a year.

If the community reaches consensus, the policy is implemented at the regional level. In order for the policy to become a global policy, it needs to reach consent in all five RIR regions. The ASO takes these global policies to the ICANN Board for ratification. They are then implemented by the IANA.