As part of its annual activities, ICANN (Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers) organized the 80th edition of its Public Meetings this year at the Kigali Convention Centre in Rwanda. A delegation from ARMD participated in these forums for discussion and idea exchange, which took place from June 10 to 13, 2024.
In an increasingly digitalized world, it is crucial for governments to adopt an Internet governance strategy to ensure that online activities do not compromise public order and security for all.
ICANN is a non-profit organization responsible for coordinating and managing the Internet's Domain Name System (DNS), as well as Internet Protocol (IP) addresses. An IP address is a unique identification number that can be assigned to each device connected to the same network, either permanently or temporarily. ICANN plays a crucial role in maintaining the security, stability, and interoperability of the Internet.
Founded in 1998, ICANN comprises organizations that manage IP addresses, other organizations that handle domain names, and managers of country-code top-level domains. These are complemented by a Board of Directors and several advisory committees that address issues such as public policies for Internet governance, the security and stability of the domain name system, and the management of IP addresses along with generic and country-code top-level domains. Thus, ICANN acts as the overseer of the globally interconnected network of unique identifiers, without which it would be impossible to navigate the Internet.
The ARMD delegation, composed of Director General Mr. Abdi Ilmi Achkir and two of his colleagues—Mr. Farah Ahmed, Economist & Financial Analyst, and Mr. Habib Daoud, Telecom Engineer—participated in several debates concerning internet governance and the role that African countries can play in it. Member countries of the Smart Africa Alliance aim to develop a common internet governance strategy for Africa by collectively establishing a roadmap for internet governance.
ICANN meetings are regular events where members of the global internet community, including representatives from governments, businesses, civil society organizations, researchers, and other stakeholders, gather to discuss policies and processes related to the management of domain names and IP addresses. These meetings serve as open forums where participants can exchange ideas, debate important issues, and make decisions concerning the future of the internet. They provide a unique opportunity to actively participate in internet governance and influence decisions that impact the global internet infrastructure.
Source: ARMD
