|
|
ICANN82 Newsletter
13 March 2025
|
|
|
|
Thank You for Joining ICANN82
|
|
By Kurtis Lindqvist, ICANN President and CEO
I would like to personally thank everyone who participated in the ICANN82 Community Forum. Thanks also to the meeting venue and the beautiful city of Seattle for hosting us this
week.
With people from around the world coming together to discuss and develop policies for the Internet’s unique identifiers, this meeting was a great opportunity to see ICANN’s multistakeholder
model in action. Our transparent, bottom-up approach to decision-making ensures that the Internet remains unified and inclusive.
Thank you for making my first ICANN Public Meeting as CEO a success, and I look forward to meeting again at ICANN83!
|
|
|
ICANN83: Helping to Shape the Internet's Future
|
|
By Chris Mondini, Vice President, Stakeholder Engagement & Managing Director - Europe
ICANN83 in Prague, hosted by CZ.NIC, the Czech national domain registry, will be held 9–12 June 2025 and is set to bring the global Internet community together ahead of the Internet
Governance Forum Norway and the World Summit on the Information Society: 20-year review (WSIS+20) High-Level Forum. The historic city, known for its rich cultural heritage and role as a hub for international dialogue, provides an ideal setting for these critical
discussions.
As the next major milestone on the ICANN calendar, discussions will focus on the evolving New gTLD Program: Next Round, addressing policy refinements for future top-level domain
applications. Participants will also examine key governance developments, including the WSIS commitments, ensuring stakeholder voices guide policy decisions.
Beyond sessions on Domain Name System security, Universal Acceptance, and domain name registration data, ICANN83 provides a platform to lay the groundwork for collaborative solutions
to ongoing challenges. With the Internet’s continued expansion, community feedback will shape strategic planning, ensuring the multistakeholder model remains inclusive. Attendees can look forward to networking events and in-depth workshops, all aiming to advance
the future of a unified, open, and secure Internet.
|
|
Help Shape the Future of ICANN's Language Services Offerings!
|
|
ICANN provides a range of language services during each Public Meeting, including interpretation, Real-Time-Transcription (RTT), also known as scribing or closed captioning, and
post-session transcription.
As a valued member of the ICANN community, we are seeking 10-12 minutes of your time to answer
13 questions [nj88a9rab.cc.rs6.net] about how you use the language services provided during ICANN Public Meetings. By participating and sharing your personal
experience, you will contribute to a deeper understanding of the community's language requirements. Your feedback
[nj88a9rab.cc.rs6.net] will be instrumental in driving improvements and ensuring that ICANN continues to provide exceptional language support that meets the community’s
needs.
Click
here [nj88a9rab.cc.rs6.net] to take the survey.
|
|
|
ICANN82 NEWS AND RESOURCES
|
|
|
LAST DAY: Schedule Your RDRS User Experience Interview with ICANN
|
|
If you are a requestor or registrar currently using the Registration Data Request Service (RDRS), e.g., submitting or processing registration data requests, we want to meet with
you to gather your feedback on the system.
Feedback topics include:
·
How you or your organization use(s) RDRS.
·
General feedback, including what works and what does not work.
·
Suggestions for new features and user experience improvements.
You can schedule an interview with ICANN by sending an email to
rdrsfeedback@icann.org
with the subject line “RDRS Interview.” Please indicate whether you will be in Seattle, Washington, for an in-person discussion or if you prefer a remote Zoom interview.
|
|
|
Stop by the New gTLD Program
Engagement Table
|
|
Interested in learning more about the New gTLD Program: Next Round? Curious about how to use the outreach materials in the
Champions
Toolkit [nj88a9rab.cc.rs6.net]?
The Next Round engagement team will host a booth at ICANN82 to help answer any of your questions. Stop by the table on the third floor next to the ICANN engagement space during morning
(09:00-09:45 PDT) and afternoon (13:30-14:00 PDT) coffee breaks Monday, 10 March, through Wednesday, 12 March.
For more information, email
engagement.newgTLDprogram@icann.org.
|
|
|
|
Geopolitical, Legislative, and Regulatory Developments Update
|
|
This plenary session was organized by ICANN’s Government Engagement team to update the community on geopolitical developments. The session's purpose is to update the community on
geopolitical developments and their impact on ICANN's technical mission, policies, and processes.
We recognize that governmental, regulatory, and other initiatives can affect all parts of the ICANN community, and we are committed to raising awareness and supporting the community
in addressing these issues.
Geopolitical,
Legislative, and Regulatory Developments Update [nj88a9rab.cc.rs6.net]
13 March, 9:00–10:00 PDT (16:00 UTC)
|
|
|
|
ICANN Public Forums are a long-standing tradition at ICANN Public Meetings. Open to everyone in the community, they offer people from diverse backgrounds a chance to express their
views about key issues of concern to ICANN and what can be done about them.
ICANN82
Public Forum [nj88a9rab.cc.rs6.net]
13 March | 10:30–12:00 PDT (17:30 UTC)
|
|
|
At-Large Plenary 2: SubPro's Promise and the New gTLD Round
|
|
This session took place on Wednesday, 12 March. If you missed it or want to review, visit the session
page [nj88a9rab.cc.rs6.net] for the available session materials and recording.
Agenda:
The At-Large community held its second plenary meeting at ICANN82. It was led by Avri Doria. The plenary explored whether expectations set by ICANN during the development and implementation
of the New gTLD Program were met, especially as the Next Round Applicant Guidebook approaches publication. The session started with a brief introduction about the format, topic selection methodology, and premise for the plenary. The At-Large community was
invited to participate in a formatted debate and discussion around the topics of Domain Name System (DNS) Abuse and the Applicant Support Program.
Highlights:
The debates featured longstanding members of the At-Large community and included input from different community members. The issue of DNS Abuse was introduced by Hadia Elminiawi.
Olivier Crepin-Leblond underscored the progress made on DNS Abuse since the previous round of New gTLDs whereas Cheryl Langdon-Orr provided an overview of the perceived shortcomings identified by various stakeholders on DNS Abuse as it relates to the Next
Round of New gTLDs. The audience discussed whether they believed enough had been done to address DNS Abuse before the opening of the Next Round application window. Hadia Elminiawi then provided a summary of the audience’s reflection of the session.
After concluding the discussion on DNS Abuse, Joanna Kulesza introduced the topic of the Applicant Support Program and its speakers. She provided a brief overview of the At-Large
position on the Applicant Support Program and asked whether enough had been done to address concerns that have been raised in relation to the Applicant Support Program in the 2012 round. Cheryl Langdon-Orr proceeded to highlight the advancements that had been
made to the Applicant Support Program since the previous round of New gTLDs. Maureen Hilyard provided a rebuttal arguing that more needed to be done to assist applicants from underserved regions. The audience followed this by offering their input about the
progression of the Applicant Support Program.
After a thoughtful discussion, Avri Doria thanked the speakers and the audience for participating in this plenary and encouraged the community to continue speaking up about issues
important to them.
Next Steps:
The At-Large community will continue to engage with the ICANN community on ways to mitigate DNS Abuse, especially as the launch of the Next Round application window approaches. The
At-Large community will continue to promote the Next Round Applicant Support Program and discuss issues related to the Next Round at the At-Large Advisory Committee’s weekly Consolidated Policy Working Group call. At-Large Representatives will continue to
attend the Next Round Implementation Review Team (SubPro IRT) meetings to help ensure proper implementation of ICANN Board-approved policy recommendations for the Next Round.
|
|
Regional UA Day Events in EECA
|
|
Launched in 2023, the global Universal Acceptance (UA) Day initiative will be celebrated this year across the Eastern Europe and Central Asia (EECA) region. On 28 March 2025, the
Internet Society Armenia and the regional UA initiative for the Commonwealth of Independent States, with support from ICANN, will hold a half-day UA Day event in Yerevan, Armenia. This gathering will focus on UA challenges surrounding Internationalized Domain
Names, new generic top-level domains, and Email Address Internationalization. Prior to the main event, speakers will deliver lectures at several Armenian universities. Participants and speakers from Belarus, Russia, Kyrgyz Republic, Armenia, Georgia, and beyond
are scheduled to attend.
On 15 April 2025, the Republic of Moldova will continue this series of events by hosting its own UA Day in Chisinau, organized by the Internet Association of Moldova. As UA efforts
are relatively new to the country, this forum will emphasize raising awareness and providing technical training for local software developers, further advancing UA in the region.
|
|
Maria Kolesnikova
Russian Federation
|
|
Maria Kolesnikova has been a leading figure in the information technology and telecommunications sector since 1997. She holds a law degree and possesses extensive skills in marketing
and project management, which she applies in her current role as Project Lead and Chief Analyst at the Russian country code top-level domain (ccTLD) registry (.ru and. рф). Kolesnikova joined the ICANN community in 2007. She has actively contributed to the
Country Code Names Supporting Organization, the Internationalized Domain Name ccTLD (IDNC) Working Group, and the broader IDN program, focusing on the expansion and accessibility of domain names.
A committed proponent of digital inclusion, Kolesnikova chairs both the Regional Coordination Group on Universal Acceptance (UA) in the Commonwealth of Independent States and Eastern
Europe, and the Russian Working Group on UA. A dedicated member of the UA Steering Group since 2019, she regularly participates in conferences such as the Internet Governance Forum and the World Summit on the Information Society to advance IDN and UA initiatives.
Her efforts underscore a broader mission to foster linguistic diversity and ensure that the global Internet remains open and inclusive for all.
|
|
|
|
|
Rolla Hassan, Ph.D., is the Cairo-based Senior Manager of International Regulations at Egypt's National Telecom Regulatory (NTRA) with nearly 20 years of expertise in telecom regulation.
In her current role, she works on global mobile technology, spectrum management, and Internet policy analysis.
An active participant in ICANN’s multistakeholder community, Hassan has attended several ICANN meetings, including ICANN66 as an ICANN Fellow, contributing to policy discussions
that drive international collaboration. She recently earned her Ph.D. in Management of Technology, further enhancing her ability to bridge technical insights with strategic regulatory frameworks.
Hassan’s involvement with ICANN is fueled by her commitment to fostering inclusive governance models. The ICANN Fellowship Program has significantly deepened her understanding of
multistakeholder processes and strengthened her engagement in global policymaking. It also provided her with valuable insights into collaborative policy development and strengthened her ability to engage in international regulatory discussions.
|
|
"I am eager to use ICANN’s collaborative platform to advance equitable policies and enhance global cooperation in telecom regulation."
|
|
|
|
|
The Executive Director of O’KANATA, a federal nonprofit dedicated to advancing prosperity for Indigenous communities, Justin Langan was motivated to join ICANN to engage in global
conversations about digital governance and sustainability. He holds a political science degree from the University of Manitoba and is a passionate advocate for Indigenous rights and youth empowerment.
Langan aims to amplify the voices of young people in shaping the future of the Internet and technology, ensuring that it remains inclusive, equitable, and accessible for all communities.
He has actively participated in ICANN’s initiatives to empower youth in Internet governance. Langan is also connected with various Indigenous advocacy groups and eager to collaborate with organizations like the Internet Society and the Internet Governance
Forum to promote a digital environment that is inclusive of Indigenous peoples and their rights.
|
|
“Prioritize inclusivity and equity in Internet governance and actively listen to and support underrepresented voices, particularly Indigenous communities, ensuring that their
cultural knowledge and perspectives are reflected in global digital policies.”
|
|
|
ICANN COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT
|
|
|
Kathleen Scoggin
Member, At-Large Advisory Committee (ALAC)
|
|
"I joined At-Large because it gives a voice to those most impacted by changes to the Domain Name System and the Internet more broadly that are often made by governments and businesses.
By participating, I can help advocate for policies that prioritize the needs of individual users, particularly those from underrepresented regions and communities, such as ensuring multilingual domain names and Universal Acceptance for non-Latin scripts.
Engaging with At-Large also allows me to contribute to discussions on Internet governance from a civil society perspective, pushing for transparency and equity on critical policy
issues."
|
|
|
|
Olivier Crépin-Leblond
Co-Chair, At-Large Consolidated Policy Working Group (CPWG)
|
|
"I joined At-Large because as a long time Internet user, I wanted to do my bit to support the multistakeholder model that ICANN's governance and policy development are built on.
I feel blessed to be part of a community that defends end user interests at such a level. Many other community members have become friends, as our pro-bono work for the public
interest has brought us closer. It truly is an amazing experience to be part of an operational multistakeholder system that has responsibilities for designing global policy in one of the Internet's key resources, serving the billions of Internet users out
there."
|
|
|
|
|
The main Universal Acceptance (UA) Day 2025 event will take center stage on 8 May in Hanoi, Vietnam. It is being organized in collaboration with the United Nations Educational, Scientific,
and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and the ICANN community, including the Universal Acceptance Steering Group (UASG).
A schedule of all 60+ events is available
here
[nj88a9rab.cc.rs6.net].
|
|
|
|
Domain Name System (DNS) industry practitioners and experts from the Asia Pacific (APAC) region will meet at APAC DNS Forum 2025 in Hanoi from 8 to 9 May 2025 to learn about essential
topics, connect, and share best practices. Organized by ICANN, with the Viet Nam Internet Network Information Center (VNNIC) serving as the local host, the theme of this year’s event is "An Inclusive Internet–Connecting People, Empowering Our Future." For
more information, and the full schedule, please visit the APAC
DNS Forum website [nj88a9rab.cc.rs6.net].
The APAC DNS Forum 2025 will be co-located with the
2025
Contracted Parties (CP) Summit [nj88a9rab.cc.rs6.net] and
Universal
Acceptance (UA) Day 2025 [nj88a9rab.cc.rs6.net]. This is the first time that ICANN is co-locating a global event (the CP Summit) with a regional event (APAC DNS
Forum). This approach will help us reach a broader audience, minimize planning and logistics activities, and benefit from financial economies of scale.
To register for in-person or virtual participation for the events, please visit this
link
[nj88a9rab.cc.rs6.net]. Registration closes on 28 April 2025 23:59 UTC.
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
|
SUBSCRIBE TO ICANN UPDATES
|
|
|
|
|
|
