The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) 80 Policy Forum took place in Kigali, Rwanda 10-13 June 2024. This meeting examined critical issues facing the Internet ecosystem, with particular emphasis on the preparations for the next round of the New Generic Top-Level Domain Program (gTLD). 

ICANN 80 kicked off with a welcome message from Tripti Sinha, The ICANN Board Chair and Sally Costerson, the Interim President and CEO. The ICANN Board of Directors later announced Kurt Erik “Kurtis” Lindqvist as the next ICANN President and CEO. Lindqvist brings more than 30 years of experience as an industry leader and will officially assume the role on December 5, 2024. 

The Digital Industry now looks forward to ICANN81, which will take place from November 9-14, 2024, in Istanbul. Topics of focus will include the ongoing review of the Generic Names Supporting Organization (GNSO) Transfer Policy, which aims to enhance domain name portability. Discussions will also examine root server security, and the delivery of the final report from the GNSO Expedited Policy Development Process.