ICANN87 Annual General Meeting Unites Global Internet Stakeholders in Bali

ICANN87: A Global Gathering in Bali

From October 17 to 22, 2026, the beautiful island of Bali, Indonesia, plays host to the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) Annual General Meeting (AGM), known as ICANN87. This significant event convenes a vast array of stakeholders from the global internet community, aiming to advance discussions on crucial topics such as internet security, the expansion of the Domain Name System (DNS), and international cooperation.

A Milestone for Indonesia

This year marks a noteworthy milestone as it is the first time Indonesia has hosted an ICANN public meeting. Co-hosted by the Indonesian Internet Domain Name Registry (PANDI), with support from the Ministry of Communication and Digital Affairs and the Bali provincial government, ICANN87 emphasizes Indonesia's growing role within the global internet landscape. Present at this gathering are government officials, technical experts, business leaders, and civil society members, all coming together to address pressing issues related to internet governance and security.

The opening ceremony held on October 19 featured a series of impactful speeches, including remarks from Meutya Hafid, the Indonesian Minister of Communication and Digital Affairs, who emphasized the importance of creating an accessible and secure digital environment for all citizens. She articulated a vision for not just increasing connectivity but enhancing the quality of participation in the digital realm, noting, "For Indonesia, the objective is to ensure that people can participate in a digital environment that is secure and relevant to their needs."

Commitment to Digital Identity

Isnawan Aslam, President of PANDI, echoed this sentiment by highlighting the responsibility that comes with managing Indonesia's country-code top-level domain (.id). He reaffirmed that PANDI is not only focused on the technical aspects of domain management but is dedicated to safeguarding Indonesia’s digital identity. Aslam reinforced that trust in governance is critical for the stability of the internet domain system, stating, "Building on our experience and continuously strengthening our capabilities, PANDI remains committed to ensuring .id is secure, stable, trusted, and ready for the future of the internet."

The Role of Governance

Tripti Sinha, chair of the ICANN Board, reiterated the significance of the multistakeholder governance model, a system that has demonstrated resilience through technological and political changes. She underscored that the IANA stewardship transition's tenth anniversary acts as a testament to the continued trust in the governance model, which revolves around transparency and collaboration.

Kurtis Lindqvist, ICANN President and CEO, shared insights about the necessity of aligning strategic priorities with effective implementation. He remarked, "The ICANN community develops solutions, and the ICANN org must turn those solutions into effective action."

Celebrating Contributions to Capacity Building

A highlight of the opening ceremony was the presentation of the 2026 Dr. Tarek Kamel Award for Capacity Building to Hartmut Glaser for his extensive work in internet governance capacity building across various regions. The award recognizes individuals within the ICANN community who contribute significantly to the development of programs that align with the organization’s mission.

Fostering Collaboration for a Secure Internet

ICANN87 boasts over 200 working sessions, focusing on policy and technical priorities, including mitigating DNS abuse, enhancing the reliability of DNS, and expanding options for domain names through the New Generic Top-Level Domains (gTLD) Program. The event underscores ICANN’s commitment to its multistakeholder model, where diverse groups collaboratively establish policies and governance structures for the global internet.

Attendees will also engage in discussions on capacity-building initiatives and leadership development, as well as welcome new members to the ICANN Board of Directors, further enriching the collaborative environment that the meeting fosters.

For additional information and updates, interested individuals can visit ICANN.org and the dedicated ICANN87 webpage. This landmark event promises to set the stage for future developments in internet governance, reinforcing the importance of collaboration in ensuring a secure, stable, and inclusive digital ecosystem.

About ICANN:

ICANN was established in 1998 as a nonprofit organization to enhance and maintain a stable, secure, and unified global internet. Facilitating the unique identifiers necessary for communication across the web, ICANN plays a critical role in ensuring that internet addresses are distinct and effectively coordinated on a global scale.

About PANDI:

Pengelola Nama Domain Internet Indonesia (PANDI) is the official registry for Indonesia's ccTLD, .id. PANDI is dedicated to developing the .id ecosystem, promoting stable, secure, and trustworthy internet governance. With ongoing growth, as of December 31, 2025, .id has become the largest ccTLD in Southeast Asia, demonstrating Indonesia's digital presence and identity.