The ICANN85 Community Forum, organised by the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) and hosted in collaboration with the National Internet Exchange of India (NIXI) under Ministry of Electronics and IT (MeitY), brought global internet stakeholders to Mumbai to discuss how to support an open, secure, inclusive, and resilient Internet across the global Internet ecosystem. The ICANN85 Community Forum is currently taking place from March 7 to March 12, 2026 at Jio Convention Centre in Mumbai.
The ICANN85 Community Forum is comprised of more than 200 sessions involving governments, industry leaders, technical experts, and civil society participants from around the world. The sessions focus on key issues related to the secure and stable operation of the internet, including the evolution of the domain name system, cybersecurity practices, and the upcoming expansion of generic top-level domains.
Discussions throughout the week will highlight the importance of the multistakeholder model in internet governance, where the ICANN community collaborates to develop policies, implement solutions, and support the continued operation of a secure, stable, and globally interoperable Internet.
Commenting on the event, secretary, MeitY, said, “Internet today has become critical infrastructure that supports economies, public services, innovation, and everyday life across the world. As digital adoption continues to grow, it is important that we work together to ensure the internet remains open, secure, resilient, and inclusive. Platforms like ICANN bring together governments, the private sector, the technical community, and civil society to strengthen the multistakeholder approach to Internet governance. India remains committed to contributing to these global efforts and to building trusted digital infrastructure that supports innovation, cooperation, and meaningful participation from all regions.”
Meanwhile, chief secretary, government of Maharashtra, said, “The internet today is a critical part of economic growth, governance, and daily life. Platforms like ICANN85 provide an important opportunity for governments, technical experts, and industry stakeholders to come together and discuss how we can keep the Internet open, secure, and accessible for everyone. Such discussions help strengthen cooperation and ensure that the Internet continues to support innovation and development across regions.
Further, ICANN board chair, said, “The world grows more complex and, at times, more divided — which is precisely why the internet’s stability and integrity matter more deeply now than ever before. Today, that original call rings louder and truer than ever. It asks us to be steady and disciplined in how we work, transparent and accountable in how we decide, and unwavering in our commitment to an Internet that is secure, stable, and reflective of the diverse humanity it serves.”
Furthermore, president and chief executive officer, ICANN, said, “My focus this week is practical. I want us to leave Mumbai with meaningful progress on the work the community has prioritised, and with momentum on the milestones that are coming next. For those newer to ICANN, I will add one more thing. Do not underestimate the value of your perspective, and do not hesitate to contribute. This community works best when we combine deep experience with fresh eyes, and when we bring more people into the work, especially from regions that have not always been in the centre of these conversations.”
