ICANN reports progress on digital inclusion and internet governance in its 2025 contribution to UNCTAD
ICANN’s annual report to UNCTAD highlights advances in multilingual internet access, preparations for the next round of new domain names, and continued support for global internet governance processes, while noting persistent risks such as fragmentation and growing pressure on multistakeholder cooperation.
The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) has submitted its 2025 annual contribution to the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development, outlining how its technical and policy work aligns with the objectives of the World Summit on the Information Society. The report, dated 31 October 2025, details progress on digital inclusion, multilingualism, and preparations for expanding the Domain Name System, while identifying challenges ranging from geopolitical tensions to the need for more widespread adoption of technical standards.
A central focus of the report is the expansion of language diversity online. ICANN highlights ongoing work on Internationalized Domain Names, including the publication of Version 6 of the Root Zone Generation Rules, which adds new scripts such as Thaana. This update is presented as a step toward making the internet more accessible to communities whose languages have historically been underrepresented in digital spaces. The organisation also reports strengthened collaboration with UNESCO on Universal Acceptance, aimed at ensuring that all domain names and email addresses function across digital systems. Regional workshops in Africa, Asia-Pacific, and Latin America are described as crucial for improving technical readiness among developers and service providers.
The report also emphasises milestones toward the launch of the next round of new generic top-level domains, scheduled for April 2026. ICANN underscores the role of the Applicant Support Program in broadening participation by offering financial and capacity-building support to applicants from underserved regions and community-based organisations. According to the report, 115 applications had been initiated across 28 countries by mid-October 2025.
Alongside progress, ICANN identifies several risks that could slow the advancement of WSIS goals. These include the possibility of internet fragmentation driven by conflicting national regulations, and the proliferation of parallel policy processes that may weaken engagement in multistakeholder forums. The report notes that maintaining a stable, interoperable, and secure global network requires continued coordination across governments, civil society, business, and the technical community.
ICANN also reaffirms its commitment to the Internet Governance Forum, referencing co-organised sessions on digital cooperation and trust, as well as its joint publication with the Internet Society examining two decades of the IGF’s evolution. Through these activities, the organisation positions its work as a contribution to a single, open, and interoperable internet that reflects global participation.
The report concludes with an overview of ongoing technical developments, such as the deployment of encrypted DNS protocols and the expansion of resource certification through RPKI.
(This content is based on the document ‘2025 Annual Report to UNCTAD,’ submitted by ICANN on 31 October 2025.)
