ICANN opens public consultation on meeting dates for 2029–2033

The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) has launched a public consultation on proposed dates for its Public Meetings between 2029 and 2033, inviting community feedback before finalising the schedule. The proposal seeks to uphold ICANN’s commitment to transparency, inclusiveness, and balance in global participation.

The draft schedule, prepared jointly by ICANN’s Meetings and Global Stakeholder Engagement teams, sets out preliminary dates for the five-year period and is now open for review and comment.

ICANN traditionally holds three global public meetings each year, rotating locations across geographic regions to ensure equitable access and representation. These gatherings bring together representatives from governments, civil society, businesses, and the technical community to discuss internet governance and policy development.

In line with its standard practice, ICANN aims to post meeting dates at least five years in advance, helping participants plan their engagement while avoiding overlap with global, national, and religious holidays, as well as other community events.

The proposed timeline covers meetings from 2029 through 2033, with detailed dates available in the official consultation document.

Meeting structure and objectives

The framework follows the recommendations of the Meeting Strategy Working Group (MSWG), adopted by the ICANN Board in June 2014. Each year includes three meetings of distinct focus and duration:

• The Community Forum (six days), focusing on outreach and networking.
• The Policy Forum (four days), dedicated to policy development work.
• The Annual General Meeting (AGM) (seven days), which includes public sessions and Board meetings.

The strategy aims to maximise participation and inclusivity, combining in-person and remote attendance, translation services, and newcomer support. It also requires meetings to be held primarily on working days (Monday to Thursday) and to rotate geographically so that each of ICANN’s five regions hosts three meetings within a five-year cycle.

Open for community feedback

The public comment period allows ICANN stakeholders to review the proposed dates and identify potential conflicts with major events or holidays. Once the consultation closes, ICANN will review the input and adjust the schedule if necessary. The final list of confirmed meeting dates for 2029–2033 will be published after the review phase concludes.

Why it matters

ICANN’s global meetings serve as cornerstones of multistakeholder internet governance, shaping decisions on domain names, policies, and technical coordination. By inviting early feedback on long-term scheduling, the organisation reinforces its bottom-up, community-driven model, giving stakeholders a role in shaping how and when global discussions take place.