Dear Colleagues,

I respectfully submit my Liaison Report ahead of the ALAC Monthly Call. Please accept my apologies that I will be unable to participate in the call itself due to competing professional commitments.

GAC Liaison Report: ALAC Monthly Call

By: Joanna Kulesza, EURALO, ALAC Liaison to the GAC
Reporting Period: January/February 2026
Submitted: 17 February 2026

1. ICANN 85 Mumbai – ALAC–GAC Bilateral Agenda and Agreed Topics

Following recent guidance from GAC Leadership and coordination with the GAC Liaison to ALAC, the agenda for the ALAC–GAC bilateral meeting at ICANN 85 in Mumbai has now been agreed.

Given the 60-minute format and the need to prioritise focused and actionable exchanges, three core topics have been retained:

Agreed Substantive Topics

1. Linguistic Inclusion – Latin Script Diacritics (15 minutes)
   A focused exchange on supporting linguistic and cultural inclusion, including how to address Latin script diacritics within implementation timelines, while avoiding delays to the Next Round of new gTLDs.
2. DNS Abuse – Government Expectations and End-User Harm (20 minutes)
   Discussion will cover:
• Data, reporting, and enforcement expectations
• End-user impact and trust considerations
• Coordination related to the DNS Abuse PDP Phase 1, including Associated Domain Checks
• Potential coordinated advisory signals to ICANN org and relevant PDP processes
3. WSIS+20 and Global Digital Governance Processes (15 minutes)
   A forward-looking exchange on:
• Information sharing regarding timelines and preparations
• Early identification of areas for possible ALAC–GAC coordination
• Linkages with broader UN digital governance processes

The previously discussed Review of Reviews topic was not retained due to time constraints and the need to focus on two to three priority areas.

Agenda: Draft

1. Staff Introduction - Staff (2 minutes)
2. Welcome and Opening Comments -Jonathan Zuck, ALAC Chair and Nico Caballero, GAC Chair (3 minutes)
3. Linguistic Inclusion: Latin Script Diacritics (15min)
   – Supporting linguistic and cultural inclusion
   – Managing timing constraints without delaying the Next Round

1. ALAC Speaker:
2. GAC Speaker:

4. DNS Abuse: Government Expectations and End-User Harm (20min)
   – Data, reporting, and enforcement expectations
   – End-user impact and trust considerations
   – Coordinated advisory signals to ICANN org and relevant PDPs

1. ALAC Speaker:
2. GAC Speaker:

5. WSIS+20 and Global Digital Governance Processes (15min)
   – Information exchange on preparations and timelines
   – Identifying areas for possible GAC–ALAC coordination

1. ALAC Speaker:
2. GAC Speaker:

6. Closing - Jonathan Zuck, ALAC Chair and Nico Caballero, GAC Chair (5 minutes)

GAC speaker confirmations for each segment are currently being coordinated. ALAC speaker coordination will proceed in parallel. ALAC members are invited to review the proposed structure and to indicate readiness to contribute to the individual segments.

2. GAC Participation in DNS Abuse Plenary – Martina Barbero

In relation to the At-Large DNS Abuse Plenary at ICANN 85, GAC Leadership has confirmed that DNS Abuse remains a priority topic for governmental engagement.

Martina Barbero, in her capacity as a designated GAC representative in the DNS Abuse PDP Phase 1 on Associated Domain Checks, has been identified as the most appropriate GAC participant for the plenary panel. Coordination is also foreseen with the leadership of the Public Safety Working Group, where relevant.

Further updates will be provided as confirmations are received.

Kind regards,

Joanna Kulesza
ALAC Liaison to the GAC