ICANN Launches Universal Acceptance Expert Working Group to Advance Digital Inclusion.

The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) has officially formed a new Universal Acceptance (UA) Expert Working Group (EWG). The group is tasked with developing guidelines for ICANN’s ongoing work to ensure that all domain names and email addresses, regardless of language or script, function seamlessly across the internet.

The new working group, announced by ICANN President and CEO Kurtis Lindqvist, brings together a diverse set of experts from various sectors of the internet community. Its members were selected based on their demonstrated knowledge of Universal Acceptance and Internationalized Domain Names (IDNs), as well as their expertise in the multilingual internet.

The EWG includes representatives from several ICANN advisory committees, as well as appointed experts from major global organizations.

The committee is comprised of:

• SO/AC-nominated representatives:
  • Abdalmonem Tharwat Galila (Governmental Advisory Committee)
  • Edmon Chung (At-large Advisory Committee)
  • Nabil Benamar (Security and Stability Advisory Committee)
  • Nitin Walia (Generic Names Supporting Organization)
  • Sami Mohamed Ali (Country Code Names Supporting Organization)
• ICANN President and CEO-appointed representatives:
  • Cathy Wissink (Unicode Consortium)
  • Guilherme Canela (UNESCO)
  • Jiankang Yao (China Internet Network Information Center)
  • Richard Ishida (Worldwide Web Consortium)
  • Sean Bedford (Meta)
  • Thomas Mullaney (Stanford University)

Edmon Chung, of DotAsia, and Sarmad Hussain, ICANN’s Senior Director of IDN and UA programs, will co-chair the working group. James Galvin will serve as the ICANN Board Liaison.

Why Universal Acceptance Matters

Universal Acceptance is critical for creating a truly inclusive and multilingual internet. When systems are “UA-ready,” users can choose an online identity in any language or script, confident that their domain names and email addresses will work without technical barriers.

ICANN has made Universal Acceptance a key focus of its FY26–30 Strategic Plan, recognizing its role as a key driver for digital inclusion. The issue is also a central component of the New gTLD Program: Next Round, which aims to promote greater competition and innovation in the Domain Name System (DNS). The work of this new expert group is expected to provide valuable guidance in these ongoing efforts.

About Author

Dr. Adebunmi Adeola Akinbo

Dr. Adebunmi Akinbo is a Researcher, Media Psychologist, Brand and Content Expert. He is an Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) Fellow, Member of Association of Cyber Forensics and Threat Investigators (ACFTI), Associate Member of the Computer Professional Registration Council of Nigeria (CPN), and a Senior Member of Chartered Institute of Public Diplomacy & Management (CIPDM), He is passionate for information and solutions for ICT Challenges by the media for the global village.

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