March 2026 - AFRI-Discuss - lists.icann.org

REGISTER / APRALO Policy Forum Webinar Series on A Multilingual Internet: Webinar #2: "Multilingual Domain Names" on Thursday, 26 March 2026 at 06:00 UTC
by ICANN At-Large Staff March 17, 2026

March 17, 2026

[95DPtCAAAABklEQVQDAP2XBkAatO13AAAAAElFTkSuQmCC] The APRALO Policy Forum is delighted to present the second 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 #2: Multilingual Domain Names on 26 March 2026 at 06:00 UTC for 75 minutes, where Satish Babu will host Pitinan Kooarmornpatana, IDN Programs Director, ICANN in an introduction to IDN related policies and their implementation for enabling secure and stable use of IDNs under both gTLDs and ccTLDs. If you are unfamiliar with the ICANN IDN Program, IDN related policies and wonder how these and you can contribute to making 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 this 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/5y7jywyb [tinyurl.com]<https://urldefense.com/v3/__https:/tinyurl.com/5y7jywyb__;!!PtGJab4!5YNro8f…> The agenda and call details can be found at: https://icann-community.atlassian.net/wiki/x/GAChO [icann-community.atlassian.net]<https://urldefense.com/v3/__https:/icann-community.atlassian.net/wiki/x/GAC…> Zoom Registration Link: https://icann.zoom.us/meeting/register/_y89VstfQmChbVRzXMFxmA [icann.zoom.us]<https://urldefense.com/v3/__https:/icann.zoom.us/meeting/register/_y89VstfQ…> (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!5YNro8f8u…>

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ICANN85 | Day 6: Public Forum, Wrap-Up Sessions & Closing Reception (Thursday, March 12).
by Adebunmi Akinbo March 12, 2026

March 12, 2026

Dear Community Members, We have reached the final day of *ICANN85* here in Mumbai. It has been an intense week of policy development and collaboration, and today serves as the critical "closing chapter" for our collective work. As a final reminder, if you missed any sessions earlier this week, *recording links are available in the virtual meeting rooms* on the participation portal. *Today’s Agenda: Thursday, March 12* *Time (IST)* *Session Title* *Location* *9:00am – 10:00am* *Review of Reviews* Jasmine Hall 2 9:00am – 10:00am 2026 Round: Wrap Up and Open Q&A Jasmine Hall 1B 9:00am – 10:00am ICANN85 Fellowship Program Wrap-Up [C] Jasmine Hall 1C 10:00am – 10:30am *Morning Coffee Break* Jasmine Hall 1 *10:30am – 12:00pm* *ICANN Public Forum* Jasmine Hall 2 *1:15pm – 2:30pm* *At-Large Leadership Wrap-Up Session* Jasmine Hall 1C 1:15pm – 2:30pm GNSO: NCSG Human Rights Townhall Jasmine Hall 1B 2:30pm – 3:00pm *Afternoon Coffee Break* Jasmine Hall 1 3:00pm – 4:00pm GNSO: NCSG Wrap-up Session Room 104 A/B *5:30pm – 6:30pm* *ICANN85 Closing Reception* Jasmine Hall 1*Day 6 Featured Sessions* - *ICANN Public Forum:* This is the *cornerstone *of the meeting. It is the primary opportunity for the global community to bring comments, questions, and concerns directly to the ICANN Board and leadership. - *At-Large Leadership Wrap-Up:* A dedicated session to consolidate the week's outcomes, review our policy advice statements, and set the roadmap for the inter-sessional period leading to ICANN86. - *2026 Round Wrap-Up:* A final chance to ask questions regarding the timeline and implementation of the next round of New gTLDs. - *Closing Reception:* After a week of hard work, ICANN invites all delegates to join us in Jasmine Hall 1 to network and celebrate the conclusion of a successful meeting. Online? Kindly network too. *Final Logistics* *Participation Portal:* Please ensure you have downloaded any necessary meeting materials today, as the physical meeting rooms will close following the final sessions. *VIEW YOUR FULL SCHEDULE & LINKS <https://icann85.sched.com/>* Thank you for your tireless advocacy for the global end-user throughout ICANN85. Safe travels to everyone departing Mumbai tonight and tomorrow! Best regards, *Dr. Adebunmi Akinbo | AFRALO Leadership Team Member | ICANN ALAC Africa Team.* *Disclaimer: *All errors are mine. Understand that you do not have to be a member to follow or contribute to discussions. ICANN is open to your participation. *Registration is compulsory to participate via zoom.*

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ICANN85 | Day 5 Schedule: Board Meeting & New gTLD Preparations (Wednesday, March 11).
by Adebunmi Akinbo March 11, 2026

March 11, 2026

Dear Community Members, We have reached *Day 5* of ICANN85! Today’s schedule is packed with high-level strategic dialogues and technical workshops that are fundamental to the future of the domain name ecosystem. A reminder for those joining us virtually or across different time zones: *recording links for all sessions will be posted in the virtual meeting rooms* shortly after each session concludes. *Today’s Agenda: Wednesday, March 11* *Time (IST)* *Session Title* *Location* *9:00am – 10:00am* *Joint Session: ICANN Board and ALAC* Jasmine Hall 2 9:00am – 10:00am Enabling Universal Acceptance Adoption Jasmine Hall 1A 9:00am – 10:00am ccNSO: Casual Meet Up for Newcomers Room 206 A/B 10:00am – 10:30am *Morning Coffee Break* Jasmine Hall 1 *10:30am – 12:00pm* *At-Large Preparations for 2026 New gTLD Applications* Jasmine Hall 1C *1:15pm – 2:30pm* *Joint Session: ALAC and OCTO* Jasmine Hall 1C 1:15pm – 2:30pm DNSSEC and Security Workshop (1 of 3) Room 206 A/B 2:30pm – 3:00pm *Afternoon Coffee Break* Jasmine Hall 1 ------------------------------ *Essential Sessions for At-Large Members* - *Joint Session: ICANN Board and ALAC:* A vital opportunity for our community to engage directly with the ICANN Board on policy advice and end-user concerns. - *2026 Next Round Preparations:* As we look toward the next round of New gTLD applications, this session will focus on how the At-Large community can prepare and ensure applicant support is effectively implemented. - *Joint Session: ALAC and OCTO:* We will meet with the *Office of the Chief Technology Officer (OCTO)* to discuss the evolving technical landscape of the internet and its implications for users. *Parallel Interest Sessions* For those interested in the technical and organizational aspects of ICANN, we highly recommend the *DNSSEC and Security Workshop* starting today, as well as the *Universal Acceptance* session which remains a top priority for global internet inclusivity. *Keep Track of Your Day* You can manage your personal schedule and access all remote participation links via the official portal: *CLICK HERE TO VIEW YOUR SCHEDULE <https://icann85.sched.com/>* Wishing you a productive and insightful Day 5! Best regards, *Dr. Adebunmi Akinbo | AFRALO Leadership Team Member | ICANN ALAC Africa Team.* *Disclaimer: *All errors are mine. Understand that you do not have to be a member to follow or contribute to discussions. ICANN is open to your participation. *Registration is compulsory to participate via zoom. *

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[AFRALO] - UA Day 2026 survey
by Hervé Hounzandji March 10, 2026

March 10, 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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ICANN85 | Day 4 Schedule: DNS Abuse, GAC Joint Meeting & APRALO AGM (Tuesday, March 10).
by Adebunmi Akinbo March 10, 2026

March 10, 2026

Dear Community Members, Please accept our sincere apologies for the delay in sending out today’s schedule. We appreciate your patience as we navigate a very busy mid-week agenda here in Mumbai. *Important Note on Recordings:* For those who missed earlier sessions or wish to revisit today’s discussions, please note that *recording links will be available in the respective virtual meeting rooms* shortly after each session concludes. You can access these via the ICANN85 participation portal. Below is the schedule for *Tuesday, March 10*: *Day 4 Agenda* *Time (IST)* *Session Title* *Location* *9:00am – 10:00am* *Joint Meeting: GAC and the ALAC* Lotus Ballroom 1 10:00am – 10:30am *Morning Coffee Break* Jasmine Hall 1 *10:30am – 12:00pm* *At-Large Plenary: DNS Abuse Mitigation Agenda* Jasmine Hall 1C *1:15pm – 2:30pm* *At-Large Regional Leaders Meeting* Jasmine Hall 1C *3:00pm – 4:00pm* *How it Works: Root Server Operations* Jasmine Hall 1A *4:30pm – 5:30pm* *APRALO Annual General Meeting* Jasmine Hall 1C *4:30pm – 5:30pm* *GNSO: NCSG Membership Work Session (2 of 2)* Room 105 A/B*Session Highlights* - *Joint Meeting with GAC:* A high-level dialogue between the At-Large Advisory Committee and the Governmental Advisory Committee to discuss shared public interest concerns. - *At-Large Plenary:* This session focuses on the critical *DNS Abuse Mitigation Agenda*, discussing the progress made in protecting end-users from malicious activities. - *How it Works:* A technical deep-dive into the operations of the Root Servers—highly recommended for those looking to understand the core stability of the internet. - *APRALO AGM:* Our host region, the *Asian, Australasian and Pacific Islands Regional At-Large Organization (APRALO)*, holds its Annual General Meeting. All are welcome to attend and celebrate the region's achievements (online inclusive). *Participation Links* To join any of these sessions remotely or to add them to your calendar, please visit the official schedule page: *VIEW YOUR FULL SCHEDULE HERE <https://74.schedule.icann.org/>* We look forward to seeing you in the sessions (and the coffee breaks if on ground) throughout the day! E-break is allowed online. Take a picture and share with staff (staff(a)atlarge.icann.org <https://www.google.com/search?q=staff%40atlarge.icann.org&sca_esv=e25f40440…> ). Special appreciation to the ALAC Team from Africa: Aziz Hilali, Raïhanath Gbadamassi, for their cooperation in moving forward as a team. Best regards, *Dr. Adebunmi Akinbo | AFRALO Leadership Team Member | ICANN ALAC Africa Team.* *Disclaimer: *All errors are mine. Understand that you do not have to be a member to follow or contribute to discussions. ICANN is open to your participation. *Registration is compulsory to participate via zoom. * *Hashtags:*(#ICANN, #InternetGovernance, #OneWorldOneInternet, #CapacityBuilding, #NIXI (National Internet Exchange of India), #DigitalIndia, #DNS / #DNSabuse, #NPOC (Non-Commercial Stakeholders Group)

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ICANN85 | Day 3 Schedule: At-Large Community Sessions (March 9).
by Adebunmi Akinbo March 8, 2026

March 8, 2026

Dear AFRALO Community Members, We have reached Day 3 of *ICANN85* here in Mumbai! Today’s agenda is packed with critical discussions on Internet resilience and DNS security, culminating in our very own AFRALO-AfrICANN Think Tank. Below is the curated schedule for today, *Monday, March 9*, to help you navigate the day: Monday, March 9: Session Highlights. *Time (IST)* *Session Title* *Location* *9:00am – 10:15am* *Welcome Ceremony* Jasmine Hall 2 10:15am – 10:45am *AM Coffee Break* Jasmine Hall 1 *10:45am – 12:00pm* *From Stability to Survivability: ICANN’s Role in Internet Resilience* Jasmine Hall 2 *1:15pm – 2:30pm* *GNSO: DNS Abuse Mitigation PDP1 (Part 3 of 4)* Jasmine Hall 1B 2:30pm – 3:00pm *PM Coffee Break* Jasmine Hall 1 *3:00pm – 4:00pm* *GNSO: DNS Abuse Mitigation PDP1 (Part 4 of 4)* Jasmine Hall 1B *4:30pm – 5:30pm* *AFRALO-AfrICANN Think Tank: Engagement & Dialogue* *Jasmine Hall 1C*Featured Session: AFRALO-AfrICANN Think Tank. *Time:* 4:30pm – 5:30pm IST *Location:* Jasmine Hall 1C (At-Large) This is a vital session for our regional community. We will be focusing on *Community Engagement, Research, and Dialogue*. It is an open space to share insights on how we can strengthen the African voice within ICANN's policy-making processes. Your participation is highly encouraged! Evening Social: Rhythms of Tradition *Time:* 6:30pm – 8:30pm IST *Location:* GALA (Pavilion 3) After a productive day of policy work, please join us for "An Evening with Rhythms of Tradition and Musical Fusion." It’s a wonderful opportunity to network and experience the local culture. *Participation Reminders* - *Remote Participation:* If you are not joining us in person, Zoom links and technical interpretation details are available on the ICANN85 Schedule Website or the Sched Application, for already registered participants. - *Questions:* Please remember to use the chatroom for all comments to ensure online moderators can handle your questions and interpreters can follow your contributions clearly. Use the microphone only if you are recognized by moderators. We look forward to seeing you in the sessions! Best regards, *Dr. Adebunmi Akinbo | AFRALO Leadership Team Member | ICANN ALAC Africa Team.* *Disclaimer: *All errors are mine. Understand that you do not have to be a member to follow or contribute to discussions. ICANN is open to your participation. *Registration is compulsory to participate via zoom. *

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Gentle Reminder – ICANN85 | Mumbai - AFRALO–AfrICANN Think Tank: Community Engagement, Research, and Dialogue
by Hervé Hounzandji March 8, 2026

March 8, 2026

Dear AFRALO member, *Gentle Reminder – ICANN85 | Mumbai* *Session*: AFRALO–AfrICANN Think Tank: Community Engagement, Research, and Dialogue *Date & Time: 9 March 2026* – 11:00 UTC *Join the Zoom Meeting*: https://icann.zoom.us/j/99936718789?pwd=0CUaPsipawMK0M410XbdfAiE1tU0wO.1 *Meeting ID*: 999 3671 8789 We look forward to your participation. -- Hervé HOUNZANDJI

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ICANN85 | Day 2 Schedule: At-Large Community Sessions (Sunday, March 8).
by Adebunmi Akinbo March 8, 2026

March 8, 2026

Dear Community Members, Welcome to Day 2 of *ICANN85* here in Mumbai! Following a productive start to the meeting, today’s agenda for the At-Large community focuses on internal strategy, financial planning, and critical cross-community collaborations. Below is the schedule for *Sunday, March 8*. All At-Large sessions will be held in *Jasmine Hall 1C* unless otherwise noted. ------------------------------ *Today’s Agenda* *Time (IST)* *Session Title* *Location* *9:00am – 10:00am* *ALAC Open House* Jasmine Hall 1C 10:00am – 10:30am *Morning Coffee Break* Jasmine Hall 1 *10:30am – 12:00pm* *At-Large Finance and Budget Working Group* Jasmine Hall 1C *1:15pm – 2:30pm* *Joint Session: ALAC and SSAC* Jasmine Hall 1C 2:30pm – 3:00pm *Afternoon Coffee Break* Jasmine Hall 1 *3:00pm – 4:00pm* *Joint Session: ALAC and ASO AC* Jasmine Hall 1C *4:30pm – 5:30pm* *At-Large Session on the Review of Reviews* Jasmine Hall 1C ------------------------------ *Session Highlights* - *ALAC Open House:* A great opportunity for newcomers and seasoned members to engage directly with leadership in an informal setting. - *Joint Sessions:* We are pleased to host sessions with the *Security and Stability Advisory Committee (SSAC)* and the *Address Supporting Organization Address Council (ASO AC)* to discuss shared priorities and technical policy impacts on end-users. - *Review of Reviews:* This final session of the day is vital for those interested in the structural evolution and accountability mechanisms within the ICANN ecosystem. *Participation Reminders* - *Remote Participation:* If you are not joining us in person, Zoom links and technical interpretation details are available on the ICANN85 Schedule Website or the Sched Application, for already registered participants. - *Questions:* Please remember to use the chatroom for all comments to ensure online moderators can handle participants questions and interpreters can follow the discussion clearly. Use the microphone only if you are recognized by moderators. We look forward to a day of robust discussion and collaborative problem-solving. Best regards, Dr. Adebunmi Akinbo | AFRALO Leadership Team Member | For ICANN ALAC Africa Team. Disclaimer: All errors are mine. Understand that you do not have to be a member to follow or contribute to discussions. ICANN is open to your participation. Registration is compulsory to participate via zoom.

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From Transition to Action: Our Roadmap for the African End-User.
by adebunmi.akinbo＠gmail.com March 6, 2026

March 6, 2026

Dear AFRALO At-Large Structures and Community Members, It was an honor to stand with many of you at ICANN85 meeting. Taking over the mantle on that final day from an Amazon and colleague was not just a formal transition for me; it was a firsthand reminder of the energy, talent, and untapped potential within our African delegation. As I formally begin my term as your ALAC Representative, I am not here to simply occupy a seat. I am here to ensure that the African voice is not just heard, but is decisive. The decisions we make today regarding the success of the New gTLD Next Round, Universal Acceptance (UA), and DNS Security will define the digital landscape of our continent for the next decade. - Our Strategic Pillars for Digital Dignity. To move from "being present" to leading the conversation, I am asking every ALS to align with these three pillars over the next 24 months: 1. High-Impact Participation: Being on the list is no longer the benchmark. I challenge every ALS to contribute to at least two ICANN Public Comment proceedings per year. We must translate our local challenges into global policy. 2. Linguistic Sovereignty (UA): An internet that doesn’t speak our languages is an internet that excludes our people. We will move beyond awareness and into advocacy, engaging local developers and registrars to ensure African scripts and IDNs are fully functional. 3. Defending the Multistakeholder Model: We are the bridge between technical policy and grassroots impact. We must educate our local governments on why a bottom-up, unified internet is the only way to safeguard Africa’s digital sovereignty. - The First Step: Intelligence from the Field. I refuse to represent you in a vacuum. To be your advocate in the ALAC, I need your ground-truth data. What are the specific barriers in your region? Is it the rising cost of domain registration? A surge in DNS-based scams? Or perhaps a lack of technical capacity for local hosting? "If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together." — Let’s go far, together. Immediate Action Items. - The "Top Two" Challenge: Reply to this email with the two most pressing internet governance issues currently impacting your specific country or region. - Join the Policy Roadmap Session: Our next monthly call (ICANN86) will be a deep dive into the upcoming ICANN milestones. We will simplify the ICANN "alphabet soup" of policy so we can focus on the impact. Kudos to our AfRALO Chair. - Empower the Next Generation: If your ALS does not have a designated Youth Liaison, please nominate a young leader this month to join our regional capacity-building initiatives. I am energized by the trust in a strong ICANN Africa. Let’s make the most impactful era in AFRALO’s history, together. In solidarity, Dr. Adebunmi Adeola Akinbo ICANN ALAC Representative for Africa (2025–2027).

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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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