ICANN to show ‘Internet development strides’ at Commonwealth forum

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The US-based Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN), the organisation that manage the Internet’s domain name system, will on September 14, be presenting to ICT policymakers and senior officials from Commonwealth nations areas where the Internet is achieving its biggest developmental impact.

The presentation, which will also include key policy recommendations, will be made at the Commonwealth Telecommunications Organisation (CTO) Forum 2015 to take place from September 14-16, 2015 in Nairobi, Kenya.

Commenting on ICANN’s contribution to the event, Professor Tim Unwin, Secretary-General of the CTO said that he was “delighted to note ICANN’s engagement at this year’s Forum, which is evidence of further strengthening of the long-standing relationship between the CTO and ICANN as two organisations that are committed to leveraging the Internet for development. The inputs by ICANN at this event will contribute significantly to global efforts in strengthening the governance of the Internet, and we look forward to working with ICANN to improve inclusivity of these governance processes.”

According to the CTO, ICANN will also hold a dedicated session to address the transition of Internet Assigned Numbers Authority (IANA), its division responsible for coordinating some of the key elements that keep the Internet running smoothly, allocating and maintaining unique codes and numbering systems that are used in the technical standards (“protocols”) that drive the Internet. This key session will highlight the importance of multi-stakeholder partnerships and cross-border collaboration between government agencies in the Commonwealth and beyond, and also help explain to delegates at the event the impact the IANA transition will have.

The Commonwealth Telecommunications Organisation Forum is the annual ICT event of the Commonwealth of Nations created to facilitate the exchange of ideas between senior country officials and private sector and civil society organisations within or outside of the Commonwealth but with an interest in telecommunications, broadcasting or the Internet.

The event is expected to bring together senior policymakers, regulators and industry leaders to address the most pressing challenges in the ICT sector, such as international connectivity, broadband access for all, the governance of the Internet, m-commerce, and applications in health, learning and banking.