February 2026 - Middle-East

Webinar for EMEA: The Rise and Fall of Undelegated TLDs
by Fahd Batayneh Feb. 20, 2026

Feb. 20, 2026

Dear all, Our next webinar for EMEA will be held on 25 February 2026, 12.00 – 12.30 UTC and will investigate The Rise and Fall of Undelegated TLDs. More info + registration: https://www.icann.org/en/engagement-calendar/details/icann-webinar-series-f… As always, please, spread the word to anyone you think might be interested! Kind regards, Fahd Batayneh ICANN [cid:image001.png@01DCA256.68A4F300]

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Ramadan Karim !
by Houda CHIHI Feb. 19, 2026

Feb. 19, 2026

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ICANN 2026 Round Applicant Guidebook Now Available in Six Languages
by Fahd Batayneh Feb. 10, 2026

Feb. 10, 2026

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ICANN Publishes Reputation Block List Analysis for IDNs Q3 2023–Q4 2025
by Fahd Batayneh Feb. 9, 2026

Feb. 9, 2026

https://www.icann.org/en/announcements/details/icann-publishes-reputation-b… The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) has published the Analysis of Internationalized Domain Names in Reputation Block List Data for the period of October 2023–September 2025<https://www.icann.org/en/system/files/files/analysis-idn-rbl-data-05feb26-e…>. Reputation Block Lists (RBLs<https://www.icann.org/en/icann-acronyms-and-terms/reputation-block-list-en>) include malicious domain usage data from third-party reputation providers. Security systems throughout the Internet use RBLs to block those domain names and prevent malicious activity. This report includes an analysis of Internationalized Domain Name (IDN) data in RBLs associated with three categories of Domain Name System Abuse: botnets, malware, and phishing, as tracked by the ICANN Domain Metrica<https://www.icann.org/octo-ssr/metrica-en> project. Key findings include: * Ratio of percentage of reported American Standard Code for Information Interchange (ASCII) domain names to percentage of reported IDNs is 5.3 to 1 (0.47 percent to 0.09 percent). * Both reported ASCII domain names and reported IDNs have similar distribution of the security threats across threat types. Phishing is the most reported security threat type (98.98 percent of reported IDNs). * The majority of the reported IDNs consist of Latin script (0.26 percent of total Latin IDNs) and Chinese (Han) script (0.04 percent of total Han IDNs). Please consult the full report<https://www.icann.org/en/system/files/files/analysis-idn-rbl-data-05feb26-e…> for more details. The previous reports can be found on the IDN Resource Page<https://www.icann.org/resources/pages/more-2012-05-08-en>.

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ICANN Introduces Name Collision Observatory To Assist New gTLD Applicants
by Fahd Batayneh Feb. 5, 2026

Feb. 5, 2026

https://www.icann.org/en/announcements/details/icann-introduces-name-collis… The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) has launched the Name Collision Observatory, a tool designed to give applicants in the New Generic Top-Level Domains (gTLD) Program: 2026 Round an idea of whether their chosen TLD, or "string," is at high risk for name collision. Name collision occurs when a name that is intended to be resolved in one naming system, like the global Domain Name System (DNS), is inadvertently resolved in a different naming system. This can lead to unexpected behavior such as communication being disrupted or redirected from its intended recipient. The web-based Name Collision Observatory<https://newgtldprogram-nco.icann.org/> allows new gTLD applicants to view historical DNS magnitude data for TLD strings. Magnitude data measures the popularity and reach of a TLD by looking at the number of unique client networks querying it, instead of the total number of queries. This provides a view of its usage and may help applicants assess whether the string they wish to apply for is at risk for name collision. ICANN notes that applicants should not assume that if the Name Collision Observatory indicates a low volume of queries for a string, that string ultimately will be assessed as "safe" to delegate. The domain magnitude data is just one of several quantitative and qualitative factors taken into account when assessing the risk associated with a string during the gTLD application process. For more information, please refer to the Name Collision section (Module 7.7<https://newgtldprogram-2026-agb.icann.org/en/11-module-7-string-and-applica…>) in the Applicant Guidebook.

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MEAC School on IG 2026 | Beirut, Lebanon | 20-23 April 2026
by Fahd Batayneh Feb. 3, 2026

Feb. 3, 2026

Dear All, The call for application for the Middle East and Adjoining Countries School on IG is now open https://meacsig.org/ The application window remains open until Monday 16 February at 23.59 UTC. Thank you, Fahd Batayneh ICANN

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Proposed topic for our ICANN85 ME Space session
by Amin Hacha Feb. 2, 2026

Feb. 2, 2026

Dear ME Space community, I hope you’re all doing well. Since we haven’t received a topic for our ME Space ICANN85 session—and given that many in our region are engaged in non-commercial user issues—I thought it could be valuable to dedicate our discussion to this area and strengthen regional dialogue around it. With that in mind, I’d like to propose the following session topic: *Public Interest, Internet Governance, and Civic Space in the Middle East: The Role of ICANN’s Non-Commercial Community* *Brief description* Public interest and inclusive participation are increasingly important in Internet governance discussions across the Middle East. While ICANN’s multistakeholder model provides a global framework for shared decision-making, engagement from the region—particularly from civil society, academia, and individual users—remains limited and varies across stakeholder groups. This session will examine how civic space in the Middle East intersects with Internet governance processes at ICANN, with attention to public-interest considerations in DNS policy development. The discussion will explore participation pathways within ICANN, regional challenges to engagement, and the value of diverse perspectives in contributing to more balanced and legitimate outcomes. By grounding global Internet governance debates in Middle Eastern realities, the session aims to support greater understanding of ICANN processes and encourage informed, sustainable participation from the region. I’d really welcome your feedback and recommendations. Warm regards, Amine Hacha / Executive Committee - Non commercial Users Constituency ( NCUC)

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[Ext] Read ICANN's Middle East Semi Annual Report for FY26
by Seher Sagiroglu Feb. 2, 2026

Feb. 2, 2026

Dear all, We are pleased to share the ICANN Middle East Semi Annual Review report. Please feel free to reach GSE Middle East team if you have any questions or comments. Best regards, Seher [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…> ICANN | 12025 Waterfront Dr. Suite 300 | Los Angeles, CA 90094 US Unsubscribe [visitor.constantcontact.com]<https://urldefense.com/v3/__https:/visitor.constantcontact.com/do?p=un&m=00…> | Update Profile [visitor.constantcontact.com]<https://urldefense.com/v3/__https:/visitor.constantcontact.com/do?ch=8eaaad…> | Our Privacy Policy<https://www.icann.org/privacy/policy> | Constant Contact Data Notice [constantcontact.com]<https://urldefense.com/v3/__https:/www.constantcontact.com/legal/customer-c…>

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