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ICANN86 Policy Forum in Seville: A Global Gathering for Internet Governance

The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) will host its 86th Public Meeting, known as the ICANN86 Policy Forum, in Seville, Spain, from June 8 to June 11, 2026. This key event brings together a diverse community from government sectors, civil society, the private sector, and technical communities to collaborate on essential topics related to internet governance, technology, and policy.

The ICANN organization plays a crucial role in ensuring that the fundamental systems necessary for the smooth functioning of the internet are maintained, such as the Domain Name System (DNS) and Internet Protocol addresses. The focus of this year's forum will be on critical issues, including combating DNS abuse, enhancing access to domain registration data, ensuring the security and flexibility of the DNS, promoting Universal Acceptance, and discussing the governance frameworks for numeric resource coordination on a global scale.

As stated by ICANN's CEO, Kurtis Lindqvist, the ICANN86 forum is especially timely given the increasing global interest in internet coordination and the cross-border operation of essential technical systems. He emphasized that the ICANN model, which is based on multi-stakeholder consensus, becomes even more vital during such times. The community will be engaged in essential discussions around the technical and policy matters that influence the global internet landscape.

Participants can expect a variety of sessions, including a plenary opening session of the Governmental Advisory Committee, workshops addressing DNS security and extensions, and a dedicated focus on increasing women's participation in the DNS field. ICANN has also initiated programs, such as NextGen@ICANN and a scholarship initiative, aimed at integrating students and young professionals into this global community.

Spain is proud to host the ICANN86 meeting, as voiced by María González Veracruz, the Secretary of State for Digitalization and Artificial Intelligence from Spain's Ministry for Digital Transformation and Public Administration. She expressed pride in facilitating discussions on internet system coordination and user connectivity at this significant global gathering

This marks the second time that Spain will host an ICANN Public Meeting, the first being in Barcelona in 2018. The upcoming forum will be conducted in a hybrid format, allowing both in-person and virtual participation, with registration for in-person attendance already open until June 7, 2026, while remote participation registration will remain available throughout the meeting.

More information regarding registration can be found on the ICANN86 website. Participating in this forum offers a unique opportunity to engage in pivotal discussions shaping the future of the internet, emphasizing its stability, security, and interoperability worldwide.

About ICANN

ICANN, established in 1998, aims to maintain a global, unified, stable, and secure internet. With the responsibility of coordinating unique identifiers required for internet communication, ICANN supports the operation and maintenance of systems that ensure that computers can effectively communicate with each other across the globe.