Dear All,

 

 

 

 

ICANN80 Newsletter

12 June 2024

 

TOP NEWS

 

Root Zone DNSSEC Algorithm Rollover Study Issues

Final Report

End of May 2024, ICANN announced publication of the Root Zone DNSSEC Algorithm Rollover Study [nj88a9rab.cc.rs6.net], offering recommendations for selecting cryptographic algorithms and conducting rollovers. The findings of the study will guide future modifications in signing the root zone. 

 

While the ongoing Key Signing Key (KSK) rollover process continues unaffected, future rollovers will integrate the study's recommendations. ICANN aims for a rollover every three years, with the next one scheduled around 2027. This timeline allows for the assessment of the current signing algorithm's suitability and the development of operational plans. Rollovers ensure the DNS's security and stability by exercising key-changing mechanisms. 

 

To participate in discussions on KSK changes, subscribe to the ksk-rollover mailing list [nj88a9rab.cc.rs6.net].

 

 

ICANN NEWS

 

Recap of the ICANN and USTTI Training Session

ICANN and the United States Technical Training Institute (USTTI) [nj88a9rab.cc.rs6.net] have long enjoyed a cooperative relationship. ICANN Vice-President for Technical Engagement Adiel A. Akplogan serves on the USTTI Board of Directors. During the pandemic, ICANN staff trained hundreds of experts from around the world via USTTI webinars on topics such as the DNS, IP addressing, the root server system, and Internet governance.

 

ICANN and USTTI jointly facilitated an all-day learning session on Sunday, 9 June, in Kigali, Rwanda, with a cohort of 22 emerging leaders representing 11 African nations. From ICANN, Patrick Jones, Vice President, Global Stakeholder Engagement; Carlos Reyes, Senior Director, Policy Development; Siranush Vardanyan, Fellowship Program Manager; Yazid Akanho, Technical Engagement, Office of the CTO; and Simon Mayoye, Technical Engagement, Office of the CTO, facilitated the event

 

During the session, this group led the discussion of several important topics, including ICANN’s role and mission, the multistakeholder model of policy development, and contemporary issues in Internet governance. The session concluded with a vibrant question and answer period on how to get the most out of ICANN80.

 

Photo of the ICANN and USTTI Training Session cohort

 

 

SESSION HIGHLIGHTS

 

ccNSO: How ccTLDs Contribute to a Better World

Join the ccNSO Internet Governance Liaison Committee (IGLC) session and find out how ccTLDs contribute to a better world and pursuit of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (U.N. SDGs).  

 

The goal of the session is to explore how the Global Digital Compact and 20-year review of the World Summit on the Information Society can accelerate progress toward the U.N. SDGs and the unique role ccTLDs can play in this pursuit. The session showcases the relevance of the SDGs to the concrete actions of ccTLDs, as well as partnerships that drive progress toward their achievement. Contributors include ccTLD managers from different ICANN regions (.br, .fr, .zw), as well as keynote speakers from ICANN org and the U.N. Commission on Trade and Development.

 

 

 

GNSO Council Meeting

The Generic Names Supporting Organization (GNSO) Council, the body responsible for managing the policy development process for generic top-level domains (gTLDs), meets on a monthly basis to discuss and address issues that affect the GNSO community.

 

In this public Council session, time has been allocated for community members to provide their input on the topics under discussion with the Council.

 

GNSO Council Meeting [nj88a9rab.cc.rs6.net] | 12 June, 13:45–15:45 CAT (11:45 UTC)

 

 

SESSION RECAP

 

At-Large Collaboration in the New gTLD Program Outreach and Engagement Plan

This session took place on Tuesday, 11 June. If you missed it or want to review, visit the session page [nj88a9rab.cc.rs6.net] for the available session materials and recording.

 

The At-Large community met with Sally Newell Cohen, ICANN org’s Senior Vice President of Global Communications, and Bob Ochieng, Senior Director, New gTLD Subsequent Procedures, to discuss the outreach and engagement plan for the New gTLD Program: Next Round. During the session, the At-Large community was provided an overview of the plan and had the opportunity to give feedback and ask questions. Newell Cohen noted that the At-Large community is an important ally in identifying and engaging potential New gTLD applicants. The community is keenly interested in helping ICANN org champion the Next Round Program, especially the Applicant Support Program. 

 

The At-Large community emphasized the importance of raising global awareness about the New gTLD Program: Next Round, lowering barriers to entry through the Applicant Support Program, and finding ways to leverage regional, local, and community relationships to promote the Next Round Program.

 

ICANN org is finalizing a list of target countries for the next phase of the outreach and engagement effort, and hopes to engage the At-Large community in helping to identify gaps in outreach and engagement and work with the org to address them.

 

The At-Large community looks forward to receiving, reviewing, and using the outreach and engagement materials mentioned during the session. The At-Large community will continue to engage with ICANN org to discuss opportunities that may exist within the At-Large networks that can be used to promote the New gTLD Program: Next Round.

 

 

 

 

ICANN80 PHOTO OF THE DAY

 

Photo from the ceremony recognizing the in-person and virtual Working Group Chairs

 

Above: Recognizing the in-person and virtual Working Group Chairs

 

 

NA FOCUS

 

Advancing Digital Inclusion: ICANN Community in North America Takes Bold Steps

 

By Naela Sarras, VP Stakeholder Engagement, North America

 

Inuktitut (ᐃᓄᒃᑎᑐᑦ) is an Inuit language that uses the Unified Canadian Aboriginal Syllabics (UCAS [nj88a9rab.cc.rs6.net]) script. The script is predominantly used in northern Canada, specifically in parts of Newfoundland and Labrador, Quebec, the Northwest Territories, and Nunavut.

 

In February 2024, the Inuktitut language community in Canada, led by PointQuebec, formed a panel to develop a reference LGR [nj88a9rab.cc.rs6.net] (Label Generation Rules) for the Inuktitut language. A reference LGR provides the rules for registering domain names in the relevant language or script. Thus, having a reference LGR for the Inuktitut language promotes digital inclusion by enabling the Inuit language community to register domain names in their own language. The panel comprises registry operators, registrars, registry service providers, language processing experts, and linguists from local communities, institutes, and universities. More detailed information is available on the community wiki page [nj88a9rab.cc.rs6.net].

 

The panel is finalizing the draft proposal for the Inuktitut language reference LGR; ICANN will subsequently seek feedback from the broader community via Public Comment. The panel plans to continue its work on other languages that are used in Canada, such as Cree, Ojibway, and Dene.

 

Learn more about this topic and how you can help build a more digitally inclusive Internet with "Introduction to Universal Acceptance (UA),” a course on the ICANN Learn platform at https://learn.icann.org [nj88a9rab.cc.rs6.net].

 

 

MEET THE NA COMMUNITY

 

Kathleen Scoggin

United States of America

As the Program Coordinator for the Tech, Law & Security Program at American University Law School, Kathleen is responsible for administrative management and research on commercial spyware. She has been involved with Internet governance for several years, including work with the International Telecommunication Union, WiCyS, Internet Society, North American School of Internet Governance, and ICANN. 

 

Within ICANN, she is a member of the North American Regional At-Large Organization, the Consolidated Policy Working Group, and Internationalized Domain Names working group within the At-Large community. Her efforts are aimed at increasing youth representation and promoting accessible solutions to policy issues in the interest of end-users.

Photo of Kathleen Scoggin

 

 

MEET THE ICANN80 FELLOWS

 

“The ICANN fellowship program has been a gateway to unparalleled opportunities, highlighting the power of collaboration across borders and sectors, especially emphasizing the critical role of women.”

Maud Adjeley Ashong Elliot

Ghana

Photo of Maud Adjeley Ashong Elliot

 

Maud Adjeley Ashong Elliot is a systems analyst and lecturer involved in information technology, focusing on digital transformation, social justice, and women's technological empowerment. Since 2013, she's been active in the Internet ecosystem, contributing to ICANN, the Internet Engineering Task Force, the Internet Society, African Network Information Centre, and the African Network Operators group. Ashong Elliot currently serves as Vice President of the Internet Society Ghana Chapter.

 

Her participation in ICANN began online during ICANN74, leading to her first in-person meeting at ICANN78, facilitated by the fellowship program. Representing academia and civil society, Ashong Elliot is involved in several constituencies and working groups, including the Non-Commercial Users Constituency and African Regional At-Large Organization. 

 

 

WELCOME NEXTGEN@ICANN

 

“NextGen helps shape the future of Internet governance, so get involved in ICANN!”

Alex Okabo

Kenya

Photo of Alex Okabo

 

Alex Okabo is a computer science student at Zetech University with a focus on networking and cybersecurity and a passion for helping to ensure equitable access to the Internet. He is keen to join the ICANN community and contribute to building a strong and inclusive Internet. 

 

In addition to NextGen@ICANN, Okabo is an active member of the Internet Society Kenya Chapter. He looks forward to exploring his interests in Internet Protocol (IP) addresses and the future of IPv6 deployment during the upcoming ICANN80 Public Meeting. Okabo is eager to learn from technical experts and participate in discussions on the future of the Internet protocols.

 

 

ICANN COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT

 

Photo of Avri Doria

Avri Doria

Chair, Consolidated Policy Working Group

“As a renewbie in the community it gives me the opportunity to once again work with others to find redemption and fruition in consensus building.”

 

 

Photo of Giacomo Mazzone

Giacomo Mazzone

Chair, Government Advisory Committee Working Group on Human Rights and International Law

“I enjoy working in a collective way hand in hand with the chair Suada Hadzovic and with the ICANN staff supporting person, Julia Charvolen. Both are very nice people that are perfectly complimenting to me. I’m always on the run, not keen for details and methodical work. They are the opposite. So, all together we are a nice pack.”

 

 

Review the Participation Guides

 

Visit the Participant Tools page [nj88a9rab.cc.rs6.net] for the information you need to attend ICANN80 virtually or in person.

 

 

 

 

 

 

PUBLIC MEETING STANDARDS

 

 

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ICANN PUBLICATIONS

 

 

ICANN's Office of the Chief Technology Officer creates and publishes research papers and technical briefings for ICANN's diverse technical community.

ICANN's Government Engagement publications summarize the discussions taking place within governments and intergovernmental organizations.

 

 

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ICANN Around the World

 

Regional Offices:

Los Angeles, U.S.A. (Headquarters)

Brussels, Belgium

Istanbul, Türkiye

Montevideo, Uruguay

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Engagement Centers:

Beijing, China

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For address and contact information, visit: icann.org/contact [nj88a9rab.cc.rs6.net]