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Candidate Statement – NPOC Chair
by Emmanuel Vitus May 24, 2026

May 24, 2026

Dear colleagues, People often ask how someone remains active within ICANN for nearly a decade without losing interest, patience, or belief in the multistakeholder model. The answer, at least for me, is simple. I stayed because I kept learning. I joined the ICANN ecosystem almost 10 years ago. Over the years, I have observed, listened, contributed, disagreed, drafted, coordinated, defended positions, organized meetings, managed tensions and helped carry responsibilities both visible and invisible across our community spaces. Like many within NCSG and NPOC, my journey did not begin with titles. It began quietly through curiosity, commitment and a belief that public interest voices matter in Internet governance. Today, I am seeking the position of Chair of the Not-for-Profit Organizations Constituency (NPOC). I currently represent NCUC within the NCSG Policy Committee and have previously served within the NPOC leadership team as Secretariat, Communications Chair and Policy Chair. These different responsibilities allowed me to understand NPOC not only politically and strategically, but also administratively and institutionally. I understand the daily operational realities of the constituency, the coordination challenges, the policy workload, the community expectations and the importance of maintaining continuity while creating space for renewal. Over the years, I have actively contributed to ICANN policy and community processes including PDPs, public comments, policy coordination discussions, stakeholder engagement activities and regional Internet governance initiatives. Beyond ICANN, my professional work focuses on digital governance, cybersecurity governance, AI policy, digital sovereignty and multistakeholder cooperation across Africa and internationally. I am currently working with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) as an International Consultant supporting the Government of Guinea in the development of its National Artificial Intelligence Strategy. I also coordinate the Secretariat of the West Africa Internet Governance Forum, where I work closely with governments, technical communities, civil society organizations and regional institutions on Internet governance and digital policy coordination across West Africa. *Why am I running for Chair?* Because I believe NPOC enters an important moment in its evolution. The digital governance environment is becoming more complex. Policy debates are becoming more technical. Participation inequalities continue to persist across regions and stakeholder groups. At the same time, nonprofit organizations around the world increasingly face operational, financial, linguistic and structural barriers to meaningful participation within global governance spaces. NPOC must continue evolving into a stronger, more coordinated and more visible constituency capable of supporting its members while contributing effectively to ICANN policy development processes. *If elected, I would work around several priorities.* First, strengthening internal coordination and communication across the constituency. Communities function better when members understand ongoing work, feel included in discussions and can contribute without feeling intimidated by institutional complexity. Second, reinforcing policy participation and continuity. Too often, a small number of people carry most of the policy burden. We need stronger mentorship, better onboarding and more collaborative policy coordination mechanisms to ensure sustainability across leadership cycles. Third, supporting greater participation from underrepresented regions, particularly from the Global South. ICANN cannot claim global legitimacy if participation realities remain structurally unequal. NPOC can play an important role in helping bridge some of these gaps. Fourth, preserving NPOC’s institutional memory while remaining open to new ideas, new contributors and new approaches. One of the strengths of this community is the experience accumulated across years of volunteer contribution. That experience should continue to guide and support newer generations entering the space. I do not believe leadership within ICANN should be performative or distant. I believe leadership should remain accessible, collaborative, patient and accountable to the community it serves. I do not claim to have all the answers. None of us do. But I believe I bring institutional experience, continuity, policy understanding and a long-term commitment to this community. Most importantly, I remain deeply attached to the values that brought many of us here in the first place. Public interest participation, inclusion, openness, diversity and the belief that Internet governance should not be reserved for the most powerful voices alone. It would be an honor to serve the NPOC community as Chair. Name: Emmanuel Vitus Affiliation: Internet Society Togo Chapter / West Africa Internet Governance Forum Secretariat/ Afrotribune Media Foundation/ Front Numériques Position applied for: Chair, Not-for-Profit Organizations Constituency (NPOC) *Do you have any conflict(s) of interest?:* At the time of this statement, I am not aware of any conflict of interest that would prevent me from serving the constituency independently and in the best interest of the community. In the spirit of transparency and accountability, I remain committed to updating my Statement of Interest (SOI) whenever a professional engagement, advisory role or consultancy could potentially intersect with ICANN policy matters or community responsibilities. Over the past 24 months, I have worked as an independent consultant and researcher on digital governance, AI governance, cybersecurity governance and Internet policy issues with governments, regional institutions, international organizations, international NGOs and not-for-profit organizations across Africa and internationally. These engagements have included consultancy or advisory work with organizations and institutions such as the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the World Bank, ICANN, the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA), the ECOWAS Commission, Smart Africa, CFI Médias, the International Development Research Centre (IDRC), the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA), NIYEL, Paradigm Initiative and other public interest and development actors. I am currently serving as an International Consultant with UNDP supporting the Government of Guinea in the development of its National Artificial Intelligence Strategy. Should any current or future engagement create an actual, perceived or potential conflict in relation to NPOC responsibilities or ICANN policy processes, I will transparently disclose and update my SOI accordingly. *How many hours per week are you able to dedicate to the position:* Approximately 15 hours per week. *Are you involved in any Working Groups or PDP efforts, if so please state:* Yes. I currently represent NCUC within the NCSG Policy Committee and remain actively involved in ICANN policy discussions, stakeholder engagement initiatives and broader Internet governance coordination efforts at regional and global levels. Over the years, I have also contributed to various policy development discussions, public comments and community coordination processes across the ICANN ecosystem. Kind regards, *Emmanuel *

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2026 Election Q&A via Email
by Andrea Glandon May 22, 2026

May 22, 2026

Hello all, The candidates for NPOC positions will be answering questions via email. If you have a question for any of the candidates, please reply off this email or submit it to the email list for the candidates to answer. Below are a list of all the candidates and the position they are running for. NPOC Chair-Emmanuel Vitus NPOC Secretary-Caleb Ogundele NPOC Policy Chair-Yao Amevi A. Sossou NPOC Policy Chair-Carlos Dionisio Aguirre NPOC Outreach and Engagement Coordinator-Bolutife Adisa 2026 NPOC wiki page: https://icann-community.atlassian.net/wiki/x/goDPOw Thanks! Andrea Glandon Policy Operations Sr. Coordinator Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN)

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Subject: Our Vision.
by carlos dionisio aguirre May 22, 2026

May 22, 2026

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REMINDER-NPOC 2026 Election Timeline
by Andrea Glandon May 18, 2026

May 18, 2026

Hello all, Reminder that check-in and nominations for the 2026 election begins on Monday, 11 May. Some reminders below. Please see below the election timeline and the positions that are open. You can also find the election wiki here [icann-community.atlassian.net]<https://urldefense.com/v3/__https:/icann-community.atlassian.net/wiki/x/goD…>. ELECTIONS TIMELINE 11 May-25 May: Check-in period 11 May-18 May: Nomination period 22 May Deadline for nomination acceptance and candidate statement. 26 May: Meet the candidates call (if necessary) 27 May (00:00 UTC)-03 June (23:59 UTC): Voting 04 June: Results *The following 4 NPOC positions are up for election this year* Chair currently held by Juan Manuel Rojas-NOT eligible for re-election Secretary currently held by Bolutife Adisa-NOT eligible for re-election Policy Chair currently held by Yao Sossou-eligible for re-election Outreach and Engagement Coordinator currently held by Caleb Ogundele-NOT eligible for re-election Please let me know if you have any questions. Thanks! Andrea Glandon Policy Operations Sr. Coordinator Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN)

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2026 Election-Nominations close Monday, 18 May 2026
by Andrea Glandon May 18, 2026

May 18, 2026

Hello all, Reminder that nominations close today, Monday, 18 May 2026 at 23:59 UTC. You can see who has been nominated on the election wiki here.<https://icann-community.atlassian.net/wiki/x/goDPOw> Thanks! Andrea Glandon Policy Operations Sr. Coordinator Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN)

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REMINDER-Meeting Invitation | NCUC Webinar | Monday, 18 May 2026 at 14:30 UTC
by Andrea Glandon May 18, 2026

May 18, 2026

Dear all, Please join NCUC for their quarterly webinar, Free and Open Source Software (FOSS) Advocacy and Non-Commercial Interest in the Internet. The primary goal is to promote a dialogue between technical FOSS sustainability & expansion with non-commercial policy advocacy. We intend to examine the specific risks identified by the concerned community, such as SSAC, and discuss how those vulnerabilities directly impact non-commercial organizations and individual users. Furthermore, the session will focus on identifying concrete ways for civil society to support open standards and explore the intersection of FOSS with the protection of non-commercial rights in the DNS (and, more broadly, the Internet) ecosystem. Monday, 18 May 2026 at 14:30 UTC for 90 min. Check your time zone here. [timeanddate.com]<https://urldefense.com/v3/__https:/www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/fixedtime…> Please register here [icann.zoom.us]<https://urldefense.com/v3/__https:/icann.zoom.us/meeting/register/HZo0OLnoT…> to receive the Zoom details. Thanks! Andrea Glandon Policy Operations Sr. Coordinator Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN)

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NPOC Policy Chair - My Vision
by Yao Amevi A. Sossou May 18, 2026

May 18, 2026

1. Vision for the Policy Committee Over the next year, I want NPOC to identify priority policy issues earlier, coordinate better with NCSG, and have members produce contributions that reflect NPOC concerns. I will focus on practical tools: a public comment tracking calendar, early identification of penholders, short policy briefs, and clearer internal deadlines. NPOC should not only react at the last minute; we should be able to anticipate issues, consult members, and contribute with substance. 2. Experience leading or contributing to policy work I have contributed to several NCSG/NPOC public comment processes, including work on the next round of new gTLDs and the Applicant Guidebook, ICANN review and accountability processes, PTI/IANA planning documents, the Continuous Improvement Program Framework, the NCSG position paper on next round of new gTLDs and the Applicant Guidebook, and other policy issues affecting the non-commercial community. My approach is to build consensus through clarity. I try to identify where members agree, where concerns differ, and how we can express a balanced position without weakening our principles. I also believe in reaching out directly to contributors when comments need clarification, because consensus is easier when people feel heard and respected. 3. Most pressing policy issues The most pressing issues for the non-commercial community are DNS Abuse, registration data and privacy, the next round of new gTLDs, accountability, and emerging questions around AI and automation in DNS-related processes. My priority would be issues where policy outcomes could create disproportionate burdens for not-for-profit organizations or affect rights such as privacy, freedom of expression, due process, and access. DNS Abuse is important, but mitigation must remain evidence-based, proportionate, and within ICANN’s technical remit. The next round of new gTLDs is also critical because applicant support, string similarity, safeguards, and public interest commitments will shape who can meaningfully participate in the DNS space. 4. Engaging new members ICANN policy can be intimidating, especially for new members. My plan is to help lower the entry barrier. I want to use short explainers, policy briefings, small drafting groups, and mentorship-style support so that members can learn by doing. Not every member needs to become a policy expert immediately. Some can review drafts, ask questions, provide regional examples, or help identify how a policy issue affects not-for-profit organizations. My role also entails creating the conditions for that participation. 5. Balancing efficiency and transparency I will use a clear workflow, identify the issue, assign drafting leads, set internal deadlines, circulate drafts early, document comments, and share final positions with members. The balance is achieved through preparation. If we track policy issues early and document our process clearly, we can be both timely and participatory. During this term, I have already made the policy tracking form <https://www.icann.org/en/public-comment/proceeding/additional-reference-lab…> available to all members for their contribution. we will continue exploring that and other approaches for efficiently and transparently engaging with everyone. ............................................................. Yao Amevi A. Sossou ............................................................. Digital Transformation Advocate | Design & Innovation Evangelist | Human centered Entrepreneurship| SDG Advocate | Internet Governance | Policy Advocate ............................................................. Email: soyames(a)gmail.com Twitter: *https://twitter.com/_amevY2 <https://twitter.com/_amevY2>* LinkedIn: Yao Amevi A. sossou | LinkedIn <https://www.linkedin.com/in/ameviy/> ............................................................. To promote respect for the environment, thank you to only print this email only when necessary

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Fwd: Candidate Statement - NPOC Policy Chair - Carlos Dionisio AGUIRRE
by carlos dionisio aguirre May 17, 2026

May 17, 2026

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REMINDERS-2026 Election Check-in & Nominations Open
by Andrea Glandon May 15, 2026

May 15, 2026

Hello all! A couple of important reminders. * Nominations close at 23:59 on Monday, 18 May 2026. * Next week I will be sending the check-in emails again. Even if you have already checked in you will receive the email as I have no way to only send to those who haven’t responded. * Please check to confirm your check-in on the election wiki pages for each group. * NCSG 2026 election wiki: https://icann-community.atlassian.net/wiki/x/AQDwOg * NPOC 2026 election wiki: https://icann-community.atlassian.net/wiki/x/goDPOw * NCUC 2026 election wiki: https://icann-community.atlassian.net/wiki/x/bgDTOw * Nomination acceptance and candidate statements are due by 23:59 UTC on Friday, 22 May. Please note, candidates must declare their region during the nomination/candidate statement period before voting begins. * If you have any questions, please reach out to me off list. Thanks! Andrea Glandon Policy Operations Sr. Coordinator Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) From: Andrea Glandon <andrea.glandon(a)icann.org> Date: Monday, May 11, 2026 at 07:00 To: NCSG-Discuss <NCSG-DISCUSS(a)LISTSERV.SYR.EDU>, "npoc-discuss(a)icann.org" <npoc-discuss(a)icann.org>, "ncuc-discuss(a)lists.ncuc.org" <ncuc-discuss(a)lists.ncuc.org> Subject: 2026 Election Check-in & Nominations Open Hello all, The check-in and nomination processes have begun for the 2026 NCSG/NPOC/NCUC elections. Please check the election wiki’s below for information about nominating someone for a position. Please note, candidates must declare their region during the nomination/candidate statement period before voting begins. A check-in email has been send from admin(a)ncsg.is<mailto:admin@ncsg.is>, please respond to the check-in email before the deadline of Monday, 25 May 2026. A reminder check-in email will also be sent. Names of members who have checked-in will be updated on each group’s election wiki-check-in. See below for the links. Kindly check to confirm your name is on the list just before the check-in process ends. Please note: If you do not check-in, you will be placed on the inactive membership list. Inactive members cannot vote in the annual election, so it is important that you reply before the deadline to the check-in email, to ensure you are listed as active and receive a ballot during the annual elections. As a reminder, the election timeline is below: 11 May-25 May: Check-in period 11 May-18 May: Nomination period 22 May Deadline for nomination acceptance and candidate statement. 26 May: Meet the candidates call (if necessary) 27 May (00:00 UTC)-03 June (23:59 UTC): Voting 04 June: Results Below are the 2026 election pages for each group that show the positions to be filled, the current nominations and candidate statements. All nominations should be sent to the groups discuss list. NCSG 2026 election wiki: https://icann-community.atlassian.net/wiki/x/AQDwOg NPOC 2026 election wiki: https://icann-community.atlassian.net/wiki/x/goDPOw NCUC 2026 election wiki: https://icann-community.atlassian.net/wiki/x/bgDTOw If you have any questions, please respond to me only. Thank you. Andrea Glandon Policy Operations Sr. Coordinator Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN)

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Candidate Statement – NPOC Policy Chair
by Yao Amevi A. Sossou May 15, 2026

May 15, 2026

*Name: *Yao Amevi A. Sossou *Affiliation: *Youth IGF Benin Initiative *Position applied for: *NPOC Policy Chair *Why you are running for the position?: *I am running for re-election as NPOC Policy Chair because I believe NPOC needs continuity, active policy coordination, and stronger participation of not-for-profit voices in ICANN policy processes. During my current term, I have worked to support NPOC, NCUC, and NCSG policy engagement through contributions to public comments, coordination with members, and participation in discussions on issues directly affecting not-for-profit organizations and non-commercial users. These include DNS Abuse, the next round of new gTLDs and the Applicant Guidebook, ICANN accountability and review processes, public interest commitments, registration data, and other policy areas where civil society perspectives must be clearly represented. My motivation is also rooted in my work with the Youth IGF Benin Initiative and my broader engagement in Internet governance ecosystem. I believe NPOC has an important role in ensuring that not-for-profit organizations, especially those with limited resources or from underrepresented regions, are not only informed about ICANN policy work but are also able to participate meaningfully. If re-elected, I will focus on three priorities: First, continue strengthening NPOC’s policy coordination by tracking key public comment opportunities, identifying policy priorities early, and supporting timely contributions from members. Second, improving member participation through short policy briefings, beginner-friendly explanations, and opportunities for newer members to contribute to public comments and working group discussions. Third, deepening collaboration with the NCSG Policy Committee, NCUC, At-Large, and other relevant parts of the ICANN community, while ensuring that NPOC’s specific concerns as not-for-profit organizations are not lost in broader policy debates. I am running because I want to continue building a responsive NPOC policy function, grounded in collaboration, and practical support for members. *Do you have any conflict(s) of interest?: *No. I do not have any conflict of interest that would prevent me from serving as NPOC Policy Chair. I am active in Internet governance and civil society spaces, including the Youth IGF Benin Initiative, but these activities are aligned with my commitment to non-commercial and not-for-profit participation in ICANN. *How many hours per week you are able to dedicate to the position: *I am able to dedicate approximately 6 to 8 hours per week to the role, and more time when required for urgent public comments, policy deadlines, ICANN meetings, or NPOC/NCSG coordination work. *Are you involved in any Working Groups or PDP efforts, if so please state:* Yes. I am involved in ICANN policy work through NPOC and NCSG, including participation in policy discussions and public comment drafting. I am also a member of the GNSO DNS Abuse Mitigation PDP1 Working Group. I have also contributed to or coordinated NCSG/NPOC input on several ICANN public comment processes, including matters related to the next round of new gTLDs / Applicant Guidebook, ICANN accountability and review processes, IANA/PTI planning, the Continuous Improvement Program Framework, and policy issues affecting the non-commercial community. ............................................................. Yao Amevi A. Sossou ............................................................. Digital Transformation Advocate | Design & Innovation Evangelist | Human centered Entrepreneurship| SDG Advocate | Internet Governance | Policy Advocate ............................................................. Email: soyames(a)gmail.com Twitter: *https://twitter.com/_amevY2 <https://twitter.com/_amevY2>* LinkedIn: Yao Amevi A. sossou | LinkedIn <https://www.linkedin.com/in/ameviy/> ............................................................. To promote respect for the environment, thank you to only print this email only when necessary

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