- ICANN Board to review new gTLD program and strategic plan
- Public session with Root Server System Advisory Committee (RSSAC)
What happened: ICANN board workshop on gTLDs, strategy and updates
ICANN‘s Board is set to convene for its first workshop of 2025 at the organisation’s headquarters in Los Angeles later this week. The workshop will allow the Board to engage with ICANN’s new CEO, Kurtis Lindqvist, and discuss his perspectives and vision for the organisation’s future.
A major topic for review is the New Generic Top-Level Domains (gTLD) Program: Next Round, as the Board will receive updates on the programme’s governance and financial aspects. Additionally, the Board will explore the proposed Registry Agreement for the next round of new gTLD applications.
The Board will also focus on ICANN’s Strategic Plan for fiscal years 2026–2030, incorporating community feedback from the Public Comment period. A draft of the final strategic plan will be published in February, with plans to adopt it in March during ICANN82.
Other essential discussions will include updates on the ICANN Grant Program, which will award $10 million in grants, and the ongoing work of the Root Server System (RSS) Governance Working Group (GWG).
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Why It’s important
This workshop is a crucial moment for ICANN’s Board to align on strategic priorities for the year ahead. The review of the New gTLD Program will help the organisation refine its approach to future domain expansions, ensuring that it can efficiently handle the increasing demand for new top-level domains.
The draft of ICANN’s Strategic Plan for 2026–2030 reflects the organisation’s long-term vision and how it plans to adapt to the evolving digital landscape. By addressing the community’s input, the Board aims to shape a more inclusive and responsive strategy.
The discussions around the ICANN Grant Program will also have a significant impact, as it represents the organisation’s commitment to fostering community-driven projects with grants ranging from $50,000 to $500,000. This workshop will set the stage for moving forward with these key initiatives, enabling ICANN to support both the growth of the domain ecosystem and broader internet governance priorities.
