February 2026 - APAC-Discuss

REGISTER: APRALO Policy Forum Webinar Series on A Multilingual Internet: Webinar #1: Multilingual Domain Names
by ICANN At-Large Staff Feb. 9, 2026

Feb. 9, 2026

[cid:image001.png@01DC99A8.BD03CA90] 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 Sarmad Hussain, Senior Director IDN and UA Programs, ICANN and/or 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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** REGISTER ** | EURALO Round Table on DNSSEC | 11 February 2026 at 19:00 UTC
by ICANN At-Large Staff Feb. 6, 2026

Feb. 6, 2026

[cid:image001.jpg@01DC975A.E1E1BA70] Interpretation provided in English, Spanish & French. ** Please register and share this invitation ** Zoom registration required: https://icann.zoom.us/meeting/register/4QVabdJvStWsi_654RxbAQ [icann.zoom.us]<https://urldefense.com/v3/__https:/icann.zoom.us/meeting/register/4QVabdJvS…> Dear All, On behalf of Frederic Taes, EURALO Chair and Natalia Filina, EURALO Secretary, please join us for an EURALO Round Table on DNSSEC on Wednesday, 11 February 2026 at 19:00 UTC for 90 minutes. This round table brings together technical experts, registry operators, and community representatives to discuss DNSSEC as a trust mechanism in today’s DNS ecosystem. The session will explore how DNSSEC works, why its adoption remains uneven, and what practical challenges and opportunities exist across different European contexts. Through expert insights, real-world TLD experience, and an end-user perspective (as the main EURALO, At-Large focus), the discussion aims to move beyond theory toward actionable understanding and future directions for DNSSEC implementation. The agenda and call details are available at: https://icann-community.atlassian.net/wiki/x/AQA2Lg [icann-community.atlassian.net]<https://urldefense.com/v3/__https:/icann-community.atlassian.net/wiki/x/AQA…> Interpretation provided in English, Spanish & French. Zoom registration required: https://icann.zoom.us/meeting/register/4QVabdJvStWsi_654RxbAQ [icann.zoom.us]<https://urldefense.com/v3/__https:/icann.zoom.us/meeting/register/4QVabdJvS…> Important: please keep note of the zoom room as you will be sent an unique link. If you need to state an apology, please contact At-Large staff only (do not reply to all) 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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At-Large Board Member Selection
by Alan Greenberg Feb. 5, 2026

Feb. 5, 2026

As you may know, Leon Sanchez is term-limited as the ICANN Director Selected by At-Large and the process to name his replacement is ongoing. The candidates are (in alphabetical order by surname): Sebastien Bachollet, Justine Chew, Maureen Hilyard and Lito (Rafael) Ibarra. The candidate’s Statements as well as their Expressions of Interest (their application forms) have been posted. - Candidate Statements <https://icann-community.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/ABMS/pages/770211889/2025…> - Expressions of Interest <https://icann-community.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/ABMS/pages/760020998/2025…> There will be two public ways to interact with the candidates. - You may ask questions that will be answered in writing and posted. Questions may be targeted at all candidates, or particular candidates. Candidates are not obliged to respond, but historically, they do. Questions may be merged with others if they are on the same topic, or otherwise edited by the chair/members of the Board Member Selection Process Committee (BMSPC <https://icann-community.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/atlarge/pages/398163969/B…>). Please specify if a question is for a specific candidate(s). - There will be a public Candidates’ meeting, most likely at the end of the week of 09 February 2026. Each candidate will be asked to respond to a few questions. If you have a suggestion for these questions, please let us know. Please send questions to At-Large Staff <staff(a)atlarge.icann.org> and me <greenberg.alan(a)gmail.com>. Questions should be submitted no later than Friday, 06 February 2026. Alan Greenberg Chair, BMSPC

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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. 3, 2026

Feb. 3, 2026

[cid:image001.png@01DC9523.88672F90] 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 Sarmad Hussain, Senior Director IDN and UA Programs, ICANN and/or 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 The agenda and call details can be found at: https://icann-community.atlassian.net/wiki/x/KYDWM Zoom Registration Link: https://icann.zoom.us/meeting/register/s9U1A2ZPQLikjaaT8qp4mg (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 Thank you. Kind Regards, At-Large Staff ICANN Policy Staff in support of the At-Large Community Website: atlarge.icann.org<https://atlarge.icann.org/>

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APRALO Policy Forum Webinar Series on A Multilingual Internet: Webinar #1: Multilingual Domain Names
by ICANN Policy Calendar Feb. 3, 2026

Feb. 3, 2026

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 Sarmad Hussain, Senior Director IDN and UA Programs, ICANN and/or 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 The agenda and call details can be found at: https://icann-community.atlassian.net/wiki/x/KYDWM Zoom Registration Link: https://icann.zoom.us/meeting/register/s9U1A2ZPQLikjaaT8qp4mg (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 Thank you. Kind Regards, At-Large Staff ICANN Policy Staff in support of the At-Large Community Website: atlarge.icann.org<https://atlarge.icann.org/>

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Read ICANN's Middle East Semi Annual Report for FY26
by ICANN At-Large Staff Feb. 3, 2026

Feb. 3, 2026

[https://nj88a9rab.cc.rs6.net/on.jsp?ca=26194fca-d1cc-41cc-9e59-0f8e7b51e079…] [https://files.constantcontact.com/d2ded047401/08df3b1f-27bc-477b-8c08-68928…] Published on 2 February 2026 [https://files.constantcontact.com/d2ded047401/92ff0397-577b-4a0d-84af-e6e5f…] From July to December 2025, ICANN’s Middle East engagement focused on sustained, regionally grounded work aligned with the FY26–FY30 Strategic Plan. Across 81 engagements in 14 countries, activities reached more than 2,500 stakeholders, with strong participation from academia, government, business, and the technical community. Engagements centered on evolving and securing the Internet’s unique identifier systems, advancing Universal Acceptance for domain names, and strengthening collaboration across the multistakeholder ecosystem, reflecting a shift toward deeper, outcome-oriented engagement across the region. For more details, read the blog [nj88a9rab.cc.rs6.net]<https://urldefense.com/v3/__https:/nj88a9rab.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001rbiPF1G…> and the full report [nj88a9rab.cc.rs6.net]<https://urldefense.com/v3/__https:/nj88a9rab.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001rbiPF1G…>. By Baher Esmat VP, Stakeholder Engagement - Middle East & Managing Director MEA, ICANN [https://files.constantcontact.com/d2ded047401/e00b55c9-135c-4238-ac49-d3e43…] FY26-FY30 Middle East Regional Plan In July 2025, ICANN’s Middle East Global Stakeholder Engagement team released the ICANN Middle East Regional Plan for Fiscal Years 2026–2030 [nj88a9rab.cc.rs6.net]<https://urldefense.com/v3/__https:/nj88a9rab.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001rbiPF1G…>, and the Implementation Plan for Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 [nj88a9rab.cc.rs6.net]<https://urldefense.com/v3/__https:/nj88a9rab.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001rbiPF1G…>. The FY26–30 Middle East Regional Plan reflects the close collaboration between ICANN's Global Stakeholder Engagement (GSE) team in the Middle East and the region's community members. The FY26 Implementation Plan outlines specific activities for the first year and sets the foundation for tracking results and refining our approach over time. For more information, read our blog [nj88a9rab.cc.rs6.net]<https://urldefense.com/v3/__https:/nj88a9rab.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001rbiPF1G…>. [https://files.constantcontact.com/d2ded047401/b0b3c3d4-184f-4d71-8011-244ca…] New Pathways for Local Stakeholder Engagement In an effort to foster long-term strategic engagement with our stakeholders, we embarked on new initiatives that catered to their local needs and priorities. [https://files.constantcontact.com/d2ded047401/d1f02852-bb72-42ff-b0ee-8100b…] First Internet Measurement Day in North Africa ICANN, along with the Réseaux IP Européens Network Coordination Centre, the African Network Information Centre, and the Internet Society, organized the first ever Internet Measurement Day in Africa in Tunisia in October 2025. These national events can provide insight into a country’s Internet ecosystem, helping guide more targeted and strategic engagement. [https://imgssl.constantcontact.com/letters/images/1101116784221/S.gif] [https://files.constantcontact.com/d2ded047401/6e737142-37bd-43d6-88e6-433f7…] Technical Engagement with Jordanian Banks A strategic, long term engagement with the Central Bank of Jordan (CBJ), completed over several months. This engagement involved webinars, taking the KINDNS assessment and running zonemaster, following up with banks on their KINDNS results, and finally organizing a DNSSEC hands-on workshop. This engagement included 19 KINDNS assessments taken, and marked the first initiative of its kind. We appreciate your continued engagement, as it strengthens the effectiveness and global relevance of everything we do. Follow ICANN on Social Media [Facebook][nj88a9rab.cc.rs6.net]<https://urldefense.com/v3/__https:/nj88a9rab.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001rbiPF1G…> [Instagram] [nj88a9rab.cc.rs6.net]<https://urldefense.com/v3/__https:/nj88a9rab.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001rbiPF1G…> [LinkedIn] [nj88a9rab.cc.rs6.net]<https://urldefense.com/v3/__https:/nj88a9rab.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001rbiPF1G…> [X] [nj88a9rab.cc.rs6.net]<https://urldefense.com/v3/__https:/nj88a9rab.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001rbiPF1G…>

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(CORRECTION) ** REGISTER ** | EURALO Round Table on DNSSEC | 11 February 2026 at 19:00 UTC
by ICANN At-Large Staff Feb. 2, 2026

Feb. 2, 2026

NOTE – Wednesday, 11 February 2026 [cid:image001.jpg@01DC9494.0CCE0050] Interpretation provided in English, Spanish & French. ** Please register and share this invitation ** Zoom registration required: https://icann.zoom.us/meeting/register/4QVabdJvStWsi_654RxbAQ [icann.zoom.us]<https://urldefense.com/v3/__https:/icann.zoom.us/meeting/register/4QVabdJvS…> Dear All, On behalf of Frederic Taes, EURALO Chair and Natalia Filina, EURALO Secretary, please join us for an EURALO Round Table on DNSSEC on Wednesday, 11 February 2026 at 19:00 UTC for 90 minutes. This round table brings together technical experts, registry operators, and community representatives to discuss DNSSEC as a trust mechanism in today’s DNS ecosystem. The session will explore how DNSSEC works, why its adoption remains uneven, and what practical challenges and opportunities exist across different European contexts. Through expert insights, real-world TLD experience, and an end-user perspective (as the main EURALO, At-Large focus), the discussion aims to move beyond theory toward actionable understanding and future directions for DNSSEC implementation. The agenda and call details are available at: https://icann-community.atlassian.net/wiki/x/AQA2Lg [icann-community.atlassian.net]<https://urldefense.com/v3/__https:/icann-community.atlassian.net/wiki/x/AQA…> Interpretation provided in English, Spanish & French. Zoom registration required: https://icann.zoom.us/meeting/register/4QVabdJvStWsi_654RxbAQ [icann.zoom.us]<https://urldefense.com/v3/__https:/icann.zoom.us/meeting/register/4QVabdJvS…> Important: please keep note of the zoom room as you will be sent an unique link. If you need to state an apology, please contact At-Large staff only (do not reply to all) 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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(CORRECTION) ** REGISTER ** | EURALO Round Table on DNSSEC | 11 February 2026 at 19:00 UTC
by ICANN At-Large Staff Feb. 2, 2026

Feb. 2, 2026

NOTE – Wednesday, 11 February 2026 [cid:image001.jpg@01DC9493.E21D8100] Interpretation provided in English, Spanish & French. ** Please register and share this invitation ** Zoom registration required: https://icann.zoom.us/meeting/register/4QVabdJvStWsi_654RxbAQ [icann.zoom.us]<https://urldefense.com/v3/__https:/icann.zoom.us/meeting/register/4QVabdJvS…> Dear All, On behalf of Frederic Taes, EURALO Chair and Natalia Filina, EURALO Secretary, please join us for an EURALO Round Table on DNSSEC on Tuesday, 11 February 2026 at 19:00 UTC for 90 minutes. This round table brings together technical experts, registry operators, and community representatives to discuss DNSSEC as a trust mechanism in today’s DNS ecosystem. The session will explore how DNSSEC works, why its adoption remains uneven, and what practical challenges and opportunities exist across different European contexts. Through expert insights, real-world TLD experience, and an end-user perspective (as the main EURALO, At-Large focus), the discussion aims to move beyond theory toward actionable understanding and future directions for DNSSEC implementation. The agenda and call details are available at: https://icann-community.atlassian.net/wiki/x/AQA2Lg [icann-community.atlassian.net]<https://urldefense.com/v3/__https:/icann-community.atlassian.net/wiki/x/AQA…> Interpretation provided in English, Spanish & French. Zoom registration required: https://icann.zoom.us/meeting/register/4QVabdJvStWsi_654RxbAQ [icann.zoom.us]<https://urldefense.com/v3/__https:/icann.zoom.us/meeting/register/4QVabdJvS…> Important: please keep note of the zoom room as you will be sent an unique link. If you need to state an apology, please contact At-Large staff only (do not reply to all) 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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** REGISTER ** | EURALO Round Table on DNSSEC | 11 February 2026 at 19:00 UTC
by ICANN At-Large Staff Feb. 2, 2026

Feb. 2, 2026

[cid:image001.jpg@01DC907D.41AC39B0] Interpretation provided in English, Spanish & French. ** Please register and share this invitation ** Zoom registration required: https://icann.zoom.us/meeting/register/4QVabdJvStWsi_654RxbAQ Dear All, On behalf of Frederic Taes, EURALO Chair and Natalia Filina, EURALO Secretary, please join us for an EURALO Round Table on DNSSEC on Tuesday, 11 February 2026 at 19:00 UTC for 90 minutes. This round table brings together technical experts, registry operators, and community representatives to discuss DNSSEC as a trust mechanism in today’s DNS ecosystem. The session will explore how DNSSEC works, why its adoption remains uneven, and what practical challenges and opportunities exist across different European contexts. Through expert insights, real-world TLD experience, and an end-user perspective (as the main EURALO, At-Large focus), the discussion aims to move beyond theory toward actionable understanding and future directions for DNSSEC implementation. The agenda and call details are available at: https://icann-community.atlassian.net/wiki/x/AQA2Lg Interpretation provided in English, Spanish & French. Zoom registration required: https://icann.zoom.us/meeting/register/4QVabdJvStWsi_654RxbAQ Important: please keep note of the zoom room as you will be sent an unique link. If you need to state an apology, please contact At-Large staff only (do not reply to all) 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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