TOP NEWS

By Tripti Sinha, ICANN Board Chair

The next ICANN Board Workshop will take place 5–7 June in Seville, Spain, just before the ICANN86 Policy Forum gets underway. During the workshop, the Board will discuss pending policy recommendations, hear updates on key areas of ICANN’s work, and prepare to engage with the community at ICANN86.

Like previous workshops, this one will include an informational session that is open to the public. On Sunday, 7 June, at 8:45–10:15 UTC, the leaders of the Governmental Advisory Committee (GAC) will provide an overview of the committee’s structure, its role within the ICANN ecosystem, and its current focus areas. This GAC Informational Session will be available as a Zoom webinar.

Read my blog for the additional highlights from the agenda for the June Board Workshop.

By Russ Weinstein, Senior Vice President, Policy Development Support

Soon, ICANN will convene for the ICANN86 Policy Forum. Please allow me to welcome you to Seville, Spain, which is hosting its first ICANN Public Meeting!

As we approach the start of the second ICANN Public Meeting of 2026, I encourage you to visit the ICANN86 website. Here, you can register and find important information about the schedule, travel, hotel, transportation, health, and safety. As you prepare for ICANN86, I highly recommend you read three resources: 

1. The ICANN86 Policy Outlook Report, which the Policy Development Support team develops to help all participants prepare for work sessions
2. The briefing from our colleagues in the Global Domains and Strategy function for the latest information about policy implementation and reviews.
3. The updated and consolidated scorecard with the intent of providing greater visibility and clarity on the status of policy and governance work.

I hope these resources are relevant and timely for you. Materials such as presentations and recordings from Prep Week, held 20–21 May 2026, are also available.

Read my blog to learn more.

By Chris Mondini, Vice President, Stakeholder Engagement and Managing Director, Europe

Seville in June is spectacular, historic, and – fair warning – hot. Pack light and stay hydrated for the sessions ahead. It’s a city that has long been a place of exchange, which feels fitting for the conversations ahead.

It’s worth noting that while this is the first time an ICANN Public Meeting will be held in Seville, it’s the third Public Meeting to be hosted in Spain, whose ICANN community has a long history of active engagement. 

This year, we’ll be meeting at FIBES, Seville’s Conference and Exhibition Center, with both in-person and virtual participation, and a full schedule of working sessions, cross-community discussions, and opportunities to connect along the way. It’s also a chance to hear a range of perspectives from across the community.

A warm thank you to Spain's Ministry for Digital Transformation for their support in bringing the community together here.

I’m looking forward to a few days that are focused, productive, and, as always, shaped by the people in the room. Safe travels, and see you in Seville!

Keeping the DNS Reliable: Understanding the KSK

The Domain Name System (DNS) relies on the ability to cryptographically verify data through DNS Security Extensions. At the heart of this security chain is the Root Zone Key Signing Key (KSK), managed by ICANN through the Internet Assigned Numbers Authority functions. To maintain robust security and follow cryptographic best practices, this "trust anchor" must be periodically replaced in a process known as a KSK rollover.

A KSK rollover does not introduce new features; rather, it ensures the system remains resilient against evolving risks. Because the DNS is globally distributed, the transition is managed with deliberate pacing. The new key is published well in advance, allowing network operators and validating resolvers to update their systems. This coordinated approach prevents service disruptions and ensures a seamless transition for Internet users worldwide. By prioritizing technical discipline and community outreach, ICANN ensures the continued stability and reliability of the Internet’s unique identifier system.

Learn more in the blog. 

Headed to Seville: A Quick Preview for ICANN86

ICANN86 is heading to Seville, Spain, one of Europe's most distinctive cities. To help you make the most of your time there, we’ve put together a blog with tips, highlights, and ideas for exploring the city before or after meeting sessions.

Within a few blocks, you’ll find three UNESCO World Heritage Sites: the Cathedral, the Alcázar, and the Archivo de Indias. The Cathedral alone is worth the visit, not only for its scale, but for the history it holds. Seville may also feel oddly familiar; parts of the city, including the Alcázar to Plaza de España, have appeared on screen as film and television locations.

One practical note: Seville is one of the warmest cities in Europe, and June can be very hot. Do as the locals do – slow down in the afternoon heat. (The tapas will make that part easy.)

For a few more things to look out for while you’re there, take a minute to read the full blog before you arrive.

ICANN86 Sessions and Materials of Interest to New gTLD Applicants

Thanks to the commitment and hard work of the ICANN community, Board, and staff, the 2026 Round of the New Generic Top-Level Domains (gTLD) Program opened on 30 April as planned. 

While not a primary focus of the Policy Forum, ICANN86 will feature several sessions that focus on topics related to the 2026 Round. These include a development session for the Governmental Advisory Committee (GAC), which will cover Community Input and Early Warnings, and a plenary session hosted by the At-Large Advisory Committee that will focus on Comments, Objections, and Community Engagement in the 2026 Round. Both sessions are open to observers. 

In addition, a cross-community dialogue on the feasibility of a back-end registry services platform for Applicant Support Program-supported applicants is planned for Thursday. Building on GAC advice and subsequent discussions with the ICANN Board, this session offers an opportunity to discuss the feasibility of a transitional platform by which these applicants could transition to operating their own back-end registries.

New Resources to Assist Applicants

New gTLD applicants will find useful information on the 2026 Round application and evaluation process in recorded sessions from ICANN85. To access these sessions, please visit the ICANN85 meeting website.

ICANN has developed numerous resources to help new gTLD applicants familiarize themselves with the TLD Application Management System (TAMS), the online system to submit applications. The latest of these is a new simulation tool, which offers an interactive preview that helps users build confidence before working in a live environment. The simulation allows the user to navigate and fill in information, just as they would in TAMS. 

Other helpful tools and resources for applicants include webinar recordings and system demo videos, for example a new demonstration of invoicing and payments in TAMS. Applicants also may want to peruse the TAMS user guide before preparing their application in TAMS.

Available applicant resources are available on the program resources webpage. 

Current and Coming Impact of Artificial Intelligence on DNS Abuse Preview

The Security and Stability Advisory Committee and Business Constituency will host a plenary session on “Current and Coming Impact of Artificial Intelligence on DNS Abuse” on Monday, 8 June, from 16:30–18:00 CEST (14:30 UTC). This plenary will bring together technical experts, security practitioners, and policy stakeholders to inform the ICANN community on the rapidly emerging role of artificial intelligence (AI) in DNS Abuse.

Panelists will focus on the democratization of attack tools, the move toward machine-speed abuse, and the potential for ICANN-led coordination in developing AI-resilient defenses. Anyone with an interest in AI and the structural changes it poses in DNS Abuse dynamics is welcome to join the interactive discussion.

Read the ICANN86 Policy Outlook Report and

PRSP Briefing

Prepare for discussions at ICANN86 by perusing the latest news and progress reporting on community-facing projects supported by the Policy Research and Stakeholder Programs (PRSP) team. The PRSP Pre-ICANN86 Briefing includes an overview of Generic Names Supporting Organization (GNSO) policy development process (PDP) working groups, team updates, and information on GNSO policy-related activities including PDP Implementation Review Teams.

Also, ICANN org's Policy Development Support team has published the ICANN86 Policy Outlook Report. The report provides an overview of the Supporting Organizations and Advisory Committees’ planned activities.

Review the Prep Week Materials

ICANN86 Prep Week took place 20–21 May 2026. To help you prepare for the meeting, you can revisit session materials on the Prep Week schedule.

Simply select a session title to access the available resources under “Files.”