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Welcome to ICANN 86 Policy Forum in Seville, Spain!
by Caleb Ogundele June 6, 2026

June 6, 2026

Dear NPOC Members, ICANN 86 is here, and we are so glad you are part of this community! Whether you are joining us on the ground in the beautiful city of Seville or tuning in from your corner of the world, you belong here, and your participation matters more than you know. This meeting is a real opportunity for NPOC to show up, speak up, and strengthen the connections that make our community so special. Let's make the most of it together. Interesting Schedule at ICANN 86 The table below outlines the NCSG and GNSO sessions aligned with NPOC's mission. These are spaces where your perspective as a non-commercial stakeholder can genuinely shape outcomes. Day Time Session June 8, Monday 10:00am – 11:15am GNSO: NCSG Policy Committee Work Session (1 of 2) 11:45am – 1:15pm GNSO: DNS Abuse Mitigation PDP 1 (1 of 4) 2:45pm – 4:00pm GNSO: DNS Abuse Mitigation PDP 1 (2 of 4) 4:30pm – 6:00pm GNSO: NCSG Policy Committee Work Session (2 of 2) June 9, Tuesday 2:45pm – 4:00pm GNSO: Latin Script Diacritics PDP 2:45pm – 4:00pm GNSO: NCSG Constituencies Work Session June 10, Wednesday 10:00am – 11:15am Joint Session: NCSG and SSAC 10:00am – 11:15am GNSO: DNS Abuse Mitigation PDP 1 (3 of 4) 11:45am – 1:15pm GNSO: NCSG HRIA: Safeguards and Remedies in DNS Abuse Policies and Beyond 11:45am – 1:15pm GNSO: SSAD Supplemental Recommendations Session (2 of 3) 2:45pm – 4:00pm Joint Session: CPH and NCSG 4:30pm – 6:00pm AFRALO-AfrICANN Engagement Session June 11, Thursday 10:00am – 11:15am ICANN Empowered Community: Community Forum 11:45am – 1:15pm GNSO: DNS Abuse Mitigation PDP 1 (4 of 4) 2:45pm – 4:00pm GNSO: NCSG Membership Work Session 2:45pm – 4:00pm GNSO: SSAD Supplemental Recommendations Session (3 of 3) 4:30pm – 6:00pm Cross-Community Dialogue on the Feasibility of a Platform for ASP-Supported New gTLDs 4:30pm – 6:00pm GNSO: NCSG Wrap-Up Session Browse the full schedule here: icann86.sched.com <https://icann86.sched.com/?searchstring=NCSG> Let the World Know You’re Here One of the most powerful things you can do during ICANN 86 is simply show up online, too. When our community posts, shares, and engages on social media, we tell the world that non-commercial voices are present, active, and paying attention. Snap a photo. Share your thoughts. Spark a conversation. Whether you’re in the meeting room or at your kitchen table, post a photo of yourself participating and help us build our ICANN 86 community gallery. Use these hashtags so we can find and celebrate each other: #ICANN86 · #NPOC · #Seville Other ways to engage: - Share session highlights and key moments as they happen - Repost and celebrate great content from fellow NPOC members - Share livestream links so others can tune in - Ask questions: your curiosity is an invitation to others Find us and tag us here: - Twitter/X: @NPOC_ICANN · @NCSG_ICANN · @ICANN_GNSO · @ICANN - Facebook: @NPOCICANN - LinkedIn: ICANN NPOC <https://www.linkedin.com/company/icann-npoc/posts/?feedView=all> Every post you make is a small act of advocacy. Let’s fill the #ICANN86 feed with NPOC energy! A Few Tips for Remote Participants Joining virtually is just as meaningful as being there in person. Here’s how to have the best experience: - Keep Zoom links within the community: please don’t share them publicly on social media. YouTube Livestream links are great to share when available. - Sign in with your full name (First Name + Last Name) so that your participation is properly recognized in ICANN’s multistakeholder process. - Let’s keep it kind and inclusive: ICANN’s Expected Standards of Behavior are there to protect everyone. Take a moment to review them: go.icann.org/3fchV1t Interpretation Services ICANN offers live interpretation in English, French, and Spanish through the Zoom app. Download Zoom ahead of time to make sure you can access this feature seamlessly. Whether in Seville or miles away, you are part of something meaningful. We can’t wait to see, hear, and celebrate you at #ICANN86. With warmth, Caleb Ogundele Outreach & Engagement Coordinator, NPOC muyiwacaleb(a)gmail.com

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NPOC Elections Results
by Juan Manuel Rojas June 4, 2026

June 4, 2026

Dear all, Please see the 2026 election results below. Chair: Emmanuel Vitus Secretariat: Caleb Ogundele Policy Coordinator: Yao Amevi A. Sossou Outreach and Engagement Coordinator: Bolutife Adisa Congratulations to all! Remember that the new terns will start after the AGM finished. Best regards,Juan Manuel Rojas

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VOTING ENDS TODAY-2026 Election-Ballots Sent
by Andrea Glandon June 3, 2026

June 3, 2026

Hello all, The ballots for the 2026 election and reminders have been sent. You only received a ballot if you checked in using the link that was sent out previously. Check-in ended on Monday, 25 May 2026. Voting will end on Wednesday, 03 June 2026, 23:59 UTC. If you confirmed that you did check-in and do not receive a ballot, please email only me directly. Please make sure to visit the election wiki to review the candidate’s statements: https://icann-community.atlassian.net/wiki/x/goDPOw [icann-community.atlassian.net]<https://urldefense.com/v3/__https:/icann-community.atlassian.net/wiki/x/goD…> There are 4 positions within the Executive Committee that are on the ballot. Please make sure you vote for 1 person for each position. Thanks! Andrea Glandon Policy Operations Sr. Coordinator Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN)

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REMINDER-2026 Election-Ballots Sent
by Andrea Glandon June 1, 2026

June 1, 2026

Hello all, The ballots for the 2026 election and reminders have been sent. You only received a ballot if you checked in using the link that was sent out previously. Check-in ended on Monday, 25 May 2026. Voting will end on Wednesday, 03 June 2026, 23:59 UTC. If you confirmed that you did check-in and do not receive a ballot, please email only me directly. Please make sure to visit the election wiki to review the candidate’s statements: https://icann-community.atlassian.net/wiki/x/goDPOw [icann-community.atlassian.net]<https://urldefense.com/v3/__https:/icann-community.atlassian.net/wiki/x/goD…> There are 4 positions within the Executive Committee that are on the ballot. Please make sure you vote for 1 person for each position. Thanks! Andrea Glandon Policy Operations Sr. Coordinator Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN)

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2026 Election-Ballots Sent
by Andrea Glandon May 27, 2026

May 27, 2026

Hello all, The ballots for the 2026 election have been sent. Reminder, you will only receive a ballot if you checked in using the link that was sent out previously. Check-in ended on Monday, 25 May 2026. Voting will end on Wednesday, 03 June 2026, 23:59 UTC. If you confirmed that you did check-in and do not receive a ballot, please email only me directly. Please make sure to visit the election wiki to review the candidate’s statements: https://icann-community.atlassian.net/wiki/x/goDPOw [icann-community.atlassian.net]<https://urldefense.com/v3/__https:/icann-community.atlassian.net/wiki/x/goD…> There are 4 positions within the Executive Committee that are on the ballot. Please make sure you vote for 1 person for each position. Thanks! Andrea Glandon Policy Operations Sr. Coordinator Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN)

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2026 NPOC Election Ballot Information
by Andrea Glandon May 26, 2026

May 26, 2026

Hello all, The voting for the 2026 elections will begin on Wednesday, 27 May 2026, 00:00 UTC. Ballots will be sent to all members who completed check-in. The ballots will come from noreply(a)eballot.com<mailto:noreplay@eballot.com>. Please make sure to allowlist/whitelist this email address. Voting will end on Wednesday, 03 June 2026, 23:59 UTC. If you confirmed that you did check-in and do not receive a ballot, please email only me directly. Please make sure to visit the election wiki to review the candidate’s statements: https://icann-community.atlassian.net/wiki/x/goDPOw Important Remarks: 1. For all positions, please select 1 candidate only; if you select more than 1 your vote won’t be counted 2. You can change your vote until the deadline on, 23:59 UTC. Only the last selection will be counted. 3. If you don't select any choice for a seat, the vote for that seat will be counted as zero. 4. You will receive several reminders during the election with the same link to your ballot. 5. The candidate with the most votes wins. If the abstention count is greater than any candidate for a seat, the seat will remain vacant. Thank you! Andrea Glandon Policy Operations Sr. Coordinator Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN)

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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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