The next major ICANN meeting is set for Prague, and the timing couldn’t be more consequential. From June 9–12, 2025, the ICANN83 Policy Forum will convene stakeholders from around the world to debate Internet governance, DNS policy, and the technical framework that keeps the global web functioning.
This year’s event lands just ahead of WSIS+20, a once-in-a-decade review of the World Summit on the Information Society. That process is expected to reshape how digital development goals are measured and how authority over the Internet is shared. At the center of that discussion is the multistakeholder model—an approach ICANN has long championed.
Key Policy Priorities Take Center Stage
ICANN83 is not just a talking shop. The forum will focus on several urgent issues tied to how the Domain Name System (DNS) is evolving. Topics on the agenda include:
Universal Acceptance – ensuring all domain names and email addresses work across platforms, regardless of language or script.
DNS Abuse – addressing the misuse of domain names for phishing, malware, and spam.
The New gTLD Program: Next Round – outlining rules and plans for the next batch of generic top-level domains.
Internet Policy Trends – examining how national and international decisions are beginning to influence what’s possible on the open Internet.
These sessions will unfold through working groups, open forums, and cross-community panels—many of which are accessible to both on-site and remote attendees.
Why Prague, Why Now
The Prague Congress Center will serve as the physical backdrop for discussions that extend far beyond one location. ICANN President and CEO Kurtis Lindqvist framed the moment clearly: “At a time when the Internet’s future is being debated on global stages, ICANN83 is where practical solutions and policy come together.”
The meeting also highlights a strong regional partner. CZ.NIC, the registry behind the .cz domain and a leader in infrastructure innovation in Central Europe, is helping host the event. CEO Ond?ej Filip noted the importance of the meeting’s location: “We’re pleased to welcome the ICANN community back to Prague and to support the ongoing work that keeps the Internet stable, secure, and globally connected.”
Free and Open to the Public
True to ICANN’s model, the event is open to anyone. Registration for in-person participation runs through June 8, 2025. Virtual attendees can also take part, with sessions streamed live and translated in multiple languages.
The ICANN83 website includes the full schedule, speaker list, and logistical details.
What This Meeting Represents
ICANN83 isn’t just about protocols and technical frameworks—it’s a snapshot of what it takes to keep the Internet operational, fair, and secure at scale. As governments, corporations, and users all compete for influence, forums like this are where the quieter decisions happen. The outcomes may not always grab headlines, but they shape how every domain name resolves, every email gets delivered, and every person connects online.
In short, this is where the plumbing of the Internet gets debated. And this year, what happens in Prague could set the tone for the Internet’s next chapter.