ICANN81: DNS Africa ReadOut on Key Development in ICANN.

ICANN81, held in Istanbul, Türkiye, from November 9th to 14th, 2024, was a pivotal moment in the evolution of internet governance. The event was marked by a series of significant developments, including leadership transitions, policy discussions, technical advancements, and community engagement.
Leadership Transitions and Community Dynamics
Several key leadership positions within ICANN’s Contracted Party House changed hands during ICANN81. Notable transitions included the RrSG and Registries leadership. The community welcomed new leaders while bidding farewell to outgoing figures like Ashley Heineman and Sam Demetriou. These leadership changes are expected to bring fresh perspectives and approaches to addressing the challenges and opportunities facing the internet governance ecosystem. The community also engaged in robust discussions about the future direction of ICANN, including the role of stakeholders, the balance of power, and the need for greater transparency and accountability.
Next Round Preparations
The Subsequent Procedures Implementation Review Team (SubPro IRT) continues its work towards the Next Round of new gTLD applications, scheduled to open in April 2026. Key discussions during ICANN81 focused on the new base Registry Agreement, community priority evaluation, the Applicant Support Program, and the potential impact of emerging technologies like artificial intelligence and blockchain on the domain name system. These discussions aim to refine the application process, ensure a fair and equitable allocation of new gTLDs, and address the evolving needs of the internet community.
Policy Developments
The Transfer Policy Development Process (Transfer PDP) team is actively reviewing comments on the initial report, with a particular emphasis on Recommendation 27, which addresses registrant data notifications and unauthorized changes. The team aims to finalize the report by February or March 2025, paving the way for further discussions on the adoption of the recommendations. The Internationalized Domain Names (IDN) EPDP phase two final report was successfully completed and accepted by the GNSO Council. This milestone brings us closer to enabling a more diverse and inclusive domain name system, allowing for the use of characters from various scripts and languages.
ccNSO Updates and Community Engagement
The ccNSO community remains committed to sharing best practices and addressing DNS abuse. A recent survey revealed a positive trend, with a decrease in DNS abuse levels among ccTLDs. Additionally, the ccNSO is working on a revised funding model to ensure adequate financial support for its operations. The ccNSO community actively engaged in discussions on various topics, including domain name security, privacy, and accessibility.
Privacy and Proxy Services Accreditation Issues (PPSAI)
The PPSAI team is actively working to standardize privacy and proxy services, addressing challenges related to data protection, transparency, and user privacy. The team is focused on defining clear guidelines and best practices for implementing these services, ensuring a consistent and secure user experience.
Registration Data Request Service (RDRS) and RDAP
The RDRS continues to operate, but its future remains uncertain. While there are ongoing discussions about its effectiveness and potential improvements, the community is exploring options for a more robust and efficient system for accessing registration data. The transition to RDAP, the successor to WHOIS, is progressing, with the aim of sunsetting WHOIS in 2025. However, compliance challenges may lead to potential delays in the full implementation of RDAP.
Conclusion
ICANN81 was a significant milestone in the evolution of internet governance. The outcomes of this meeting will have a profound impact on the global domain name system and the broader internet ecosystem. As the internet continues to grow and evolve, ICANN will play a critical role in ensuring its stability, security, and accessibility. The community’s commitment to open dialogue, collaboration, and innovation will be essential in shaping the future of the internet.
The outcomes of ICANN81 will have a significant impact on the global domain name system and the broader internet ecosystem. As the internet continues to grow and evolve, ICANN will play a critical role in ensuring its stability, security, and accessibility. The community’s commitment to open dialogue, collaboration, and innovation will be essential in shaping the future of the internet.