February 2026 - AFRI-Discuss

[AFRALO] - UA Day 2026 survey
by Hervé Hounzandji June 4, 2026

June 4, 2026

Dear AFRALO Member, As you may already know, the *AFRALO Universal Acceptance (UA) Day 2026* proposal has been approved. As a result, the ICANN Africa Global Stakeholder Engagement (GSE) Team will support AFRALO members whose websites are WordPress-based in becoming Universal Acceptance–ready. To facilitate this process, we are launching a survey. The objective of the survey is to identify AFRALO members whose websites are WordPress-based, are not yet UA-ready, and are interested in working with the GSE Team to achieve UA readiness. We kindly invite all AFRALO members (ALSes and Individuals members) to complete this survey. Please find the survey link below: 👉 Survey / Sondage <https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScNTvq5UQJ9BO0B9vb-1OWfXfBfoNVOflv…> Thank you in advance for your valuable participation and continued engagement. Best wishes and kind regards, -- *Hervé HOUNZANDJI* AFRALo Secretary

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Meeting invitation: AFRALO Monthly Call on Wednesday, 04 February 2026 at 18:30 UTC
by ICANN At-Large Staff March 6, 2026

March 6, 2026

Dear All, The next AFRALO Monthly Call has been scheduled for Wednesday, 04 February 2026 at 18:30 UTC for 90 mins, For other times: <https://tinyurl.com/24hdemjd> <https://tinyurl.com/4hmr5k52> <https://icann-community.atlassian.net/wiki/x/AYCkK> <https://tinyurl.com/mry5jz6s> HERE<https://tinyurl.com/mry5jz6s> The agenda (to be updated) and call details can be found at: https://icann-community.atlassian.net/wiki/x/AQBHLg Zoom Room: https://icann.zoom.us/j/99189060814?pwd=p3vsfjyQL7tRDDnah5jPLb9xtAJ8hC.1 Password: AFRA04FEB* Real time transcription (RTT) available at (subject to availability): https://www.streamtext.net/player?event=ICANN If you require a dial-out please contact At-Large staff at: staff(a)atlarge.icann.org<mailto:staff@atlarge.icann.org> Thank you. Kind Regards, At-Large Staff ICANN Policy Staff in support of the At-Large Community www.icann.org<http://www.icann.org/>

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Call for Membership – AFRALO Advisory Group (AAG)
by Hervé Hounzandji March 3, 2026

March 3, 2026

*Dear AFRALO Members,* Following the recent adoption of the report from Pastor Peters, on the AAG at the AFRALO Teleconference on January 7th 2026 we are pleased to invite expressions of interest from members to join the AFRALO Advisory Group (AAG). The AFRALO Advisory Group is intended to serve as a space for experience-sharing, institutional memory, guidance, conflict resolution and strategic support for AFRALO’s Leadership in ongoing and future work. *Composition of the AAG* The number of members of the Advisory Group is not limited. The AAG is limited to: - All past elected officers of AFRALO - Any interested Working Group (WG) Chair or Head, past or present - Individual Members’ Representative (one) - Any ALS Primary or Secondary Contact who has been actively involved with AFRALO for at least five (5) years We encourage eligible members from the above criteria who are willing to contribute their experience, insights, and time to AFRALO’s development and continuity to consider joining the Advisory Group. *How to Express Interest* Members who wish to be part of the AFRALO Advisory Group are kindly requested to express their interest by replying to this message on or* before the next AFRALO Teleconference in February 2026*. We look forward to your participation and continued commitment to strengthening AFRALO through collaboration and shared experience. Warm regards, -- Hervé HOUNZANDJI AFRALO Secretary

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FOLLOW UP - Call for EOIs for ALAC Liaison to the GNSO
by Heidi Ullrich Feb. 27, 2026

Feb. 27, 2026

Dear all, Following the earlier message, the ALAC Leadership Team would like to advise interested candidates who intend to submit an Expressions of Interest (EoI) to be the next ALAC Liaison to the Generic Names Supporting Organization (GNSO), to address in their EoI - * How long have they been with the At-Large community; * In which areas of the At-Large have they been active and how so; * As a minimum, availability and time commitment to carry out the tasks identified in the ALAC Rules of Procedure Adjunct Document Number 1<https://icann-community.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/atlarge/pages/99699087/Ru…> on the Position Descriptions for ALAC Members, Liaisons, and Appointees, i.e. * g) ALAC Liaisons are expected to attend and participate in ALAC meetings, provide updates on their activities as liaisons, attend the meetings of the body they are a liaison to (the “receiving body”), participate effectively as an advocate for At-Large in the receiving body, and where necessary propose responses from the ALAC to the receiving body on policy or other questions; * h) Liaisons [..] should regularly report on activities of the group to the ALAC and the Consolidated Policy Working Group (CPWG). At a minimum, such reports should highlight issues and activities that the ALAC/At-Large need to focus on. * i) ALAC [..] Liaisons are encouraged to represent ALAC, At-Large and their positions in non-ICANN environments; and * Having strong communications skills in English (as GNSO fora does not offer language interpretation); In addition, interested candidates should explain, with examples where possible, how they already or can meet some or all of the desirable criteria as follows: * Knowledge of GNSO Council and its existing operating procedures and practices; * Prior involvement in any GNSO policy development processes; * Ability to multitask, track and participate in multiple, often-parallel discussions on GNSO Council matters; * Ability to discern GNSO Council issues and activities which impact the ALAC, ALAC priorities, and/or individual end-user interests; * Commitment to inform and consult with the ALAC Leadership to seek appropriate directions on GNSO Council issues and activities that the ALAC/At-Large need to focus on; and * Willingness, on a timely basis, to present and discuss GNSO Council issues and activities at ALAC Monthly calls and/or CPWG calls as dictated by the urgency to obtain responses and/or guidance for further action vis a vis GNSO. For a perspective on likely demands of the role of GNSO Liaison, interested candidates are encouraged to review the following Capacity Development resource, in particular the Zoom recordings: At-Large Fireside Chat with ALAC Liaison to the GNSO Chat #1-16 Dec 2025 <https://icann-community.atlassian.net/wiki/x/GADFJw>Chat #2-18 Dec 2025 <https://icann-community.atlassian.net/wiki/x/QYDNJw>Interested candidates should be aware of the metrics applicable to the successful candidate, as set out in the ALAC Rules of Procedure Adjunct Document – Metrics and Remedial Actions for Appointees<https://docs.google.com/document/d/1DMaU1yq7JZ71MqkgP37W86LSaO7iEa7zhVmSQZ0…>. Kind regards, Heidi From: Heidi Ullrich <Heidi.Ullrich(a)icann.org> Date: Wednesday, February 25, 2026 at 2:37 PM To: "afri-discuss(a)icann.org" <afri-discuss(a)icann.org> Cc: Jonathan Zuck <JZuck(a)innovatorsnetwork.org>, ICANN Staff <staff(a)atlarge.icann.org> Subject: Call for EOIs for ALAC Liaison to the GNSO Dear All, This is a call for Expressions of Interest (EoI) for the next ALAC Liaison to the Generic Names Supporting Organization (GNSO) While the one-year term of the ALAC Liaison to the GNSO will officially start on 22 October, the last day of the 2026 Annual General Meeting, the selected candidate will be expected to immediately begin shadowing Justine Chew, who currently holds the position. As noted in the ALAC Rules of Procedure Adjunct Document Number 1<https://icann-community.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/atlarge/pages/99699087/Ru…> on the Position Descriptions for ALAC Members, Liaisons, and Appointees: * g) ALAC Liaisons are expected to attend and participate in ALAC meetings, provide updates on their activities as liaisons, attend the meetings of the body they are a liaison to (the “receiving body”), participate effectively as an advocate for At-Large in the receiving body, and where necessary propose responses from the ALAC to the receiving body on policy or other questions. * h) Liaisons and those leading working groups should regularly report on activities of the group to the ALAC and the Consolidated Policy Working Group (CPWG). At a minimum, such reports should highlight issues and activities that the ALAC/At-Large need to focus on. * i) ALAC Members and Liaisons are encouraged to represent ALAC, At-Large and their positions in non-ICANN environments. Interested candidates are requested to send their EoI to At-Large Staff by Friday, 13 March at 23:59 UTC. The ALAC Leadership Team will review the EoIs received followed by ALAC ratification. Kind regards, Heidi Heidi Ullrich, PhD VP, Policy Development & At-Large Relations Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) Mobile: +1 310 437 3956 Fax: +1 310 823 8649 Website: atlarge.icann.org<https://atlarge.icann.org/>

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**REGISTER** At-Large Webinar: At-Large Meets OCTO-SSR on Thursday, 26 February 2026 at 16:00 UTC
by Gisella Gruber Feb. 25, 2026

Feb. 25, 2026

Dear All, You are invited to participate in this At-Large Webinar: At-Large Meets OCTO-SSR on Thursday, 26 February 2026 at 16:00 UTC for 60 mins, where Siôn Lloyd will provide an introduction to the role of the Security, Stability, and Resiliency (SSR) team under the ICANN Office of the Chief Technology Officer (OCTO-SSR), and its remit in DNS Abuse mitigation. This webinar by OCTO-SSR serves several purposes – * Recap of the 12 June 2025 ALAC-OCTO Session at ICANN83, Prague [icann83.sched.com]<https://urldefense.com/v3/__https:/icann83.sched.com/event/246Xs__;!!PtGJab…> on an introduction to OCTO-SSR and its work [watch the Zoom Recording [icann.zoom.us]<https://urldefense.com/v3/__https:/icann.zoom.us/rec/share/49LDgNUrGqVAEt45…>]; * Preface to the 11 March 2026 ALAC-OCTO Session at ICANN85, Mumbai [icann85.sched.com]<https://urldefense.com/v3/__https:/icann85.sched.com/event/2Gwml/joint-sess…> to further understand the work of OCTO-SSR including some new initiatives [see session details [icann-community.atlassian.net]<https://urldefense.com/v3/__https:/icann-community.atlassian.net/wiki/x/BID…>]; and * Forms part of the DNS Abuse Mitigation Capacity Development Track in the FY2026 At-Large Capacity Development Initiatives [docs.google.com]<https://urldefense.com/v3/__https:/docs.google.com/document/d/1Hnv5EnPAOu99…> DNS Abuse mitigation remains as a key focus area for the ALAC and At-Large community. It is clear that mitigation efforts take many forms and are often driven by various parties either working collaboratively or complementarily to bring about impact to protect end users against harm perpetrated by malicious domain name registrations. While monitoring effectiveness of DNS Abuse curative measures, the At-Large is increasingly focused on advocating for DNS Abuse preventive measures. To support these goals, the At-Large seeks periodic and continuous understanding of the OCTO-SSR’s work in the area of DNS Abuse mitigation. Join us to learn more or to stay informed! Interpretation in English, French and Spanish. Agenda: https://icann-community.atlassian.net/wiki/x/AgD-Mw [icann-community.atlassian.net]<https://urldefense.com/v3/__https:/icann-community.atlassian.net/wiki/x/AgD…> Zoom registration: https://icann.zoom.us/meeting/register/tI7t1ttcTnqqr0-rOAzrRQ#/registration [icann.zoom.us]<https://urldefense.com/v3/__https:/icann.zoom.us/meeting/register/tI7t1ttcT…> Thank you. Kind regards, At-Large Staff ICANN Policy Staff in support of the At-Large Community www.icann.org<http://www.icann.org>

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Call for EOIs for ALAC Liaison to the GNSO
by Heidi Ullrich Feb. 25, 2026

Feb. 25, 2026

Dear All, This is a call for Expressions of Interest (EoI) for the next ALAC Liaison to the Generic Names Supporting Organization (GNSO) While the one-year term of the ALAC Liaison to the GNSO will officially start on 22 October, the last day of the 2026 Annual General Meeting, the selected candidate will be expected to immediately begin shadowing Justine Chew, who currently holds the position. As noted in the ALAC Rules of Procedure Adjunct Document Number 1<https://icann-community.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/atlarge/pages/99699087/Ru…> on the Position Descriptions for ALAC Members, Liaisons, and Appointees: * g) ALAC Liaisons are expected to attend and participate in ALAC meetings, provide updates on their activities as liaisons, attend the meetings of the body they are a liaison to (the “receiving body”), participate effectively as an advocate for At-Large in the receiving body, and where necessary propose responses from the ALAC to the receiving body on policy or other questions. * h) Liaisons and those leading working groups should regularly report on activities of the group to the ALAC and the Consolidated Policy Working Group (CPWG). At a minimum, such reports should highlight issues and activities that the ALAC/At-Large need to focus on. * i) ALAC Members and Liaisons are encouraged to represent ALAC, At-Large and their positions in non-ICANN environments. Interested candidates are requested to send their EoI to At-Large Staff by Friday, 13 March at 23:59 UTC. The ALAC Leadership Team will review the EoIs received followed by ALAC ratification. Kind regards, Heidi Heidi Ullrich, PhD VP, Policy Development & At-Large Relations Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) Mobile: +1 310 437 3956 Fax: +1 310 823 8649 Website: atlarge.icann.org<https://atlarge.icann.org/>

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REGISTER: APRALO Policy Forum Webinar Series on A Multilingual Internet: Webinar #1: Multilingual Domain Names
by ICANN At-Large Staff Feb. 25, 2026

Feb. 25, 2026

[cid:image001.png@01DCA68B.613BB480] Dear All, The APRALO Policy Forum is delighted to present the first of the series of 3 webinars to introduce ICANN’s goal for a “Multilingual Internet” and its engagement of relevant stakeholders to deliver this goal. You are invited to Webinar #1: Multilingual Domain Names on 26 February 2026 at 06:00 UTC for 75 minutes, where Gopal Tadepalli will host Pitinan Kooarmornpatana, IDN Programs Director, ICANN in an introduction to IDNs and a guided exercise on how to develop a Label Generation Rules (LGR) which is a key technical requirement for enabling Internationalized Domain Names (IDNs). If you are unfamiliar with IDNs and wonder how ICANN engages language communities around the world to make the Internet truly multilingual, then join us and get your answers! Don't forget to pre-register your participation! And if you have any, please let us have your questions on this topic by posting them as comments to the agenda wiki page below; or if you prefer, submit them by emailing staff at staff(a)atlarge.icann.org<mailto:staff@atlarge.icann.org> For other times: https://tinyurl.com/5n7hauac [tinyurl.com]<https://urldefense.com/v3/__https:/tinyurl.com/5n7hauac__;!!PtGJab4!5I6G6OW…> The agenda and call details can be found at: https://icann-community.atlassian.net/wiki/x/KYDWM [icann-community.atlassian.net]<https://urldefense.com/v3/__https:/icann-community.atlassian.net/wiki/x/KYD…> Zoom Registration Link: https://icann.zoom.us/meeting/register/s9U1A2ZPQLikjaaT8qp4mg [icann.zoom.us]<https://urldefense.com/v3/__https:/icann.zoom.us/meeting/register/s9U1A2ZPQ…> (After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.) APRALO Policy Forum Wiki Workspace: https://icann-community.atlassian.net/wiki/x/OOrdBg [icann-community.atlassian.net]<https://urldefense.com/v3/__https:/icann-community.atlassian.net/wiki/x/OOr…> Thank you. Kind Regards, At-Large Staff ICANN Policy Staff in support of the At-Large Community Website: atlarge.icann.org [atlarge.icann.org]<https://urldefense.com/v3/__https:/atlarge.icann.org/__;!!PtGJab4!5I6G6OWCT…>

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**TODAY** Webinar for EMEA: The Rise and Fall of Undelegated TLDs
by Gisella Gruber Feb. 25, 2026

Feb. 25, 2026

Dear all, Please see hereafter an invitation on behalf of Gabriella Schittek, Stakeholder Engagement Director, Nordic & Central Europe. Thank you! Kind regards, Gisella ********************************* Dear all, Our next webinar for EMEA will be held on 25 February 2026, 12.00 – 12.30 UTC and will investigate The Rise and Fall of Undelegated TLDs. More info + registration: https://www.icann.org/en/engagement-calendar/details/icann-webinar-series-f… As always, please, spread the word to anyone you think might be interested! Kind regards, Gabi [cid:image001.png@01DCA642.8211CFD0]

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**REGISTER** At-Large Webinar: At-Large Meets OCTO-SSR on Thursday, 26 February 2026 at 16:00 UTC
by Gisella Gruber Feb. 23, 2026

Feb. 23, 2026

Dear All, You are invited to participate in this At-Large Webinar: At-Large Meets OCTO-SSR on Thursday, 26 February 2026 at 16:00 UTC for 60 mins, where Siôn Lloyd will provide an introduction to the role of the Security, Stability, and Resiliency (SSR) team under the ICANN Office of the Chief Technology Officer (OCTO-SSR), and its remit in DNS Abuse mitigation. This webinar by OCTO-SSR serves several purposes – * Recap of the 12 June 2025 ALAC-OCTO Session at ICANN83, Prague [icann83.sched.com]<https://urldefense.com/v3/__https:/icann83.sched.com/event/246Xs__;!!PtGJab…> on an introduction to OCTO-SSR and its work [watch the Zoom Recording [icann.zoom.us]<https://urldefense.com/v3/__https:/icann.zoom.us/rec/share/49LDgNUrGqVAEt45…>]; * Preface to the 11 March 2026 ALAC-OCTO Session at ICANN85, Mumbai [icann85.sched.com]<https://urldefense.com/v3/__https:/icann85.sched.com/event/2Gwml/joint-sess…> to further understand the work of OCTO-SSR including some new initiatives [see session details [icann-community.atlassian.net]<https://urldefense.com/v3/__https:/icann-community.atlassian.net/wiki/x/BID…>]; and * Forms part of the DNS Abuse Mitigation Capacity Development Track in the FY2026 At-Large Capacity Development Initiatives [docs.google.com]<https://urldefense.com/v3/__https:/docs.google.com/document/d/1Hnv5EnPAOu99…> DNS Abuse mitigation remains as a key focus area for the ALAC and At-Large community. It is clear that mitigation efforts take many forms and are often driven by various parties either working collaboratively or complementarily to bring about impact to protect end users against harm perpetrated by malicious domain name registrations. While monitoring effectiveness of DNS Abuse curative measures, the At-Large is increasingly focused on advocating for DNS Abuse preventive measures. To support these goals, the At-Large seeks periodic and continuous understanding of the OCTO-SSR’s work in the area of DNS Abuse mitigation. Join us to learn more or to stay informed! Interpretation in English, French and Spanish. Agenda: https://icann-community.atlassian.net/wiki/x/AgD-Mw [icann-community.atlassian.net]<https://urldefense.com/v3/__https:/icann-community.atlassian.net/wiki/x/AgD…> Zoom registration: https://icann.zoom.us/meeting/register/tI7t1ttcTnqqr0-rOAzrRQ#/registration [icann.zoom.us]<https://urldefense.com/v3/__https:/icann.zoom.us/meeting/register/tI7t1ttcT…> Thank you. Kind regards, At-Large Staff ICANN Policy Staff in support of the At-Large Community www.icann.org<http://www.icann.org>

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REGISTER: APRALO Policy Forum Webinar Series on A Multilingual Internet: Webinar #1: Multilingual Domain Names
by ICANN At-Large Staff Feb. 23, 2026

Feb. 23, 2026

[cid:image001.png@01DCA4D2.7B0784D0] Dear All, The APRALO Policy Forum is delighted to present the first of the series of 3 webinars to introduce ICANN’s goal for a “Multilingual Internet” and its engagement of relevant stakeholders to deliver this goal. You are invited to Webinar #1: Multilingual Domain Names on 26 February 2026 at 06:00 UTC for 75 minutes, where Gopal Tadepalli will host Pitinan Kooarmornpatana, IDN Programs Director, ICANN in an introduction to IDNs and a guided exercise on how to develop a Label Generation Rules (LGR) which is a key technical requirement for enabling Internationalized Domain Names (IDNs). If you are unfamiliar with IDNs and wonder how ICANN engages language communities around the world to make the Internet truly multilingual, then join us and get your answers! Don't forget to pre-register your participation! And if you have any, please let us have your questions on this topic by posting them as comments to the agenda wiki page below; or if you prefer, submit them by emailing staff at staff(a)atlarge.icann.org<mailto:staff@atlarge.icann.org> For other times: https://tinyurl.com/5n7hauac [tinyurl.com]<https://urldefense.com/v3/__https:/tinyurl.com/5n7hauac__;!!PtGJab4!5I6G6OW…> The agenda and call details can be found at: https://icann-community.atlassian.net/wiki/x/KYDWM [icann-community.atlassian.net]<https://urldefense.com/v3/__https:/icann-community.atlassian.net/wiki/x/KYD…> Zoom Registration Link: https://icann.zoom.us/meeting/register/s9U1A2ZPQLikjaaT8qp4mg [icann.zoom.us]<https://urldefense.com/v3/__https:/icann.zoom.us/meeting/register/s9U1A2ZPQ…> (After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.) APRALO Policy Forum Wiki Workspace: https://icann-community.atlassian.net/wiki/x/OOrdBg [icann-community.atlassian.net]<https://urldefense.com/v3/__https:/icann-community.atlassian.net/wiki/x/OOr…> Thank you. Kind Regards, At-Large Staff ICANN Policy Staff in support of the At-Large Community Website: atlarge.icann.org [atlarge.icann.org]<https://urldefense.com/v3/__https:/atlarge.icann.org/__;!!PtGJab4!5I6G6OWCT…>

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