HLGM: The Internet Technological Evolution and the Role and Impact of ICANN

Background/key message: History demonstrates that Internet growth is driven, primarily, by major technological evolutions that impact the way people are using the Internet and the architecture of the global network. This session will explore the impact of the Internet Technological evolution on ICANN and the DNS and where challenges and opportunities may lie. Potential discussion points: • DNS in the emerging technology space and how new technologies, e.g., blockchains, or changes in Internet use, e.g., Internet of Things, will impact the DNS; • The role of, and outreach by, ICANN and other organizations involved in the providing the DNS in ensuring a single stable, secure, and resilient Internet (e.g., capacity building efforts and universal acceptance); • What measures, if any should, ICANN, along with others in the Internet’s technical ecosystem such as the root server operators, the Internet Society, the Regional Internet Registries, the Internet Engineering Task Force, etc., be taking to adapt to these new technology paradigms; • The future role of gTLDs, ccTLDs, and IDNs in this emerging environment; including the maximizing of their value for local internet communities. Chair: David Cierco, Director General of Red.es, Spanish Ministry for Economy and Business Moderator: David Redl, U.S. Department of Commerce (confirmed) Subject matter experts: Tripti Sinha (confirmed), David Conrad (ICANN, confirmed) Invited discussants: Katrina Sataki (ccNSO, confirmed) - Session Leader: Robert Hoggarth Staff Facilitator: Julia Charvolen