TRA hosts ICANN’s 60th Public Meeting

The Telecommunications Regulatory Authority, TRA, will host the 60th International Public Meeting, ICANN60, of the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers, ICANN, at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre, ADNEC, from 28th October to 3rd November 2017.

ICANN60 will bring to the UAE a diverse international community, with stakeholders from government, business, civil society, non-government organisations, research and academic institutions, technical communities and others. Participants will join discussions on a broad range of Internet-related topics and take part in developing policies pertaining to the Domain Name System, DNS.

Commenting on the event, Hamad Obaid Al Mansoori, TRA Director-General, said, "We are pleased to host ICANN60. The UAE is keen to attend meetings and exchange views with international partners to reach the best practices and implemented procedures in the ICT sector, as well as effectively contribute to serving communities as a leading country in the ICT, with global respect and international credibility."

Al Mansoori added, "ICANN60 is of a great importance to TRA as the regulator of the telecom sector in the UAE. It supports its directions in developing the country’s ICT infrastructure to enhance sustainability, digital transformation and the foundation of the smart city. This meeting is in line with our wise leadership’s directives towards preparedness, shaping and influencing the future, through building positive international relations and acquiring proper technology for the next phase."

The ICANN public meetings provide the platform where global DNS policies and procedures get agreed upon. They also offer the opportunity to do business and network in the margins. ICANN60 will be an opportunity for stakeholders in the region to have better understanding of ICANN’s work so that they can contribute to playing a bigger role in shaping the future of Internet.

ICANN’s VP of Stakeholder Engagement in the Middle East, Baher Esmat, said, "I would like to thank our hosts in the UAE on behalf of ICANN, for welcoming us here in the beautiful city of Abu Dhabi. ICANN60 is an important meeting not only for us, but also for the global Internet community. We hope that participants from the UAE as well as the region join us at ICANN60, and ensure the region’s perspective is reflected in discussions and policies related to the Domain Name System."