ICANN85 in Mumbai: A Forum for Strengthening a Unified and Interoperable Internet

ICANN85 Community Forum in Mumbai

The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) is set to hold its 85th public meeting in Mumbai from March 7 to 12, 2026. This notable event, hosted by the National Internet Exchange of India (NIXI) and supported by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), comes at a pivotal moment for Internet governance worldwide. With over a billion Internet users, India emerges as an ideal setting for global stakeholders to gather and discuss technical advancements necessary for maintaining a secure and stable Internet.

A Historic Venue for Global Dialogue

Ten years after the previous ICANN public conference held in Hyderabad, the ICANN85 forum presents the Indian Internet community with a prime opportunity to engage in worldwide discussions on critical governance issues. Samiran Gupta, ICANN's Vice President of Stakeholder Engagement for the Asia-Pacific region, emphasized the significance of this meeting, thanking NIXI for its efforts in organizing the event. Gupta remarked, "ICANN85 offers a fantastic opportunity for attendees to contribute to global dialogues and enrich the collective understanding of Internet governance."

Shri S. Krishnan, IAS, Secretary of MeitY and NIXI chairperson, added, "India's digital transformation is built on an Internet that is open, secure, inclusive, and resilient. Hosting ICANN85 reflects India’s commitment to a multi-stakeholder model of Internet governance that fosters innovation, inclusion, and trust within the global Internet ecosystem."

Key Discussions and Evaluating New gTLDs

The main agenda at ICANN85 includes discussions on the new gTLD (generic top-level domain) program and the ICANN community's role in promoting a multilingual Internet. As the launch of the new gTLD application cycle approaches this April, the forum will offer crucial updates regarding the application processes and expectations. For businesses, communities, and organizations, this provides a unique opportunity to request new top-level domains tailored to their needs.

This meeting underscores ICANN’s Vision 2030 Initiative, which aims to empower the organization as a trusted manager of the Internet's unique identification systems. The goal is to enhance a unified and interoperable Internet globally. A multilingual Internet allows individuals around the world to access the web in their own languages and scripts, aligning with India’s strategy to broaden Internet usage.

ICANN85 marks the organization's first public meeting after the United Nations General Assembly adopted the final document of the World Summit on the Information Society (+20) on December 17, 2025. This summit reaffirmed that the Internet is a shared global resource whose stability, openness, and interoperability depend on a multi-stakeholder model. Such a stance is strongly endorsed by both ICANN and the Indian government.

Continuing the Tradition of Excellence

In keeping with its tradition of recognizing outstanding contributions, ICANN will present the Community Excellence Award during the welcome ceremony on March 9, 2026. This award acknowledges community members who have significantly invested in consensus-based solutions and contributed substantively to the multi-stakeholder model of governance.

Registration and Participation

Registration for in-person attendance is open until March 6, 2026, and participants are advised that on-site registration will not be available. Entry is free and accessible to all interested parties. For more details and registration instructions, visit the official meeting website.

About ICANN

Established in 1998, ICANN's mission is to ensure a stable, secure, and unified global Internet. By providing unique identifiers that contribute to seamless Internet navigation, ICANN plays a crucial role in coordinating and supporting these identifiers globally.

About NIXI

The National Internet Exchange of India (NIXI) is a non-profit organization under MeitY, playing a vital role in enhancing India's Internet infrastructure. NIXI facilitates national Internet traffic exchange effectively while managing .IN and .भारत (.Bharat) top-level domains. Through various initiatives, NIXI advocates for a safe, resilient, and inclusive Internet ecosystem, aligning with India's ambitions for digital growth.