Kicking Off a New Year at ICANN Org

The new year has begun, and we're back to work on implementing key consensus-driven policies and fulfilling ICANN's mission. I am excited to take the lead on continuing these important efforts as planned.

This week, the ICANN organization (org) Executive team met at our Los Angeles headquarters to align and refine our plans for the year ahead. I am grateful to work alongside such talented colleagues, many of whom I have known since I joined ICANN more than a decade ago.

We will participate in the Board Workshop taking place 19-22 January to support the Board in its work this year. Last month, we delivered an Operational Design Assessment of the recommendations of the New Generic Top-Level Domain (gTLD) Subsequent Procedures Policy Development Process. As soon as the Board reaches a decision on how to proceed with the next round of new gTLD applications, ICANN will quickly go to work implementing the plan.

Likewise, ICANN org is ready to assist the Board as it considers a proposed system to streamline the handling of requests for access to nonpublic gTLD registration data, which is based on the WHOIS Disclosure System Design Paper.

Another priority for ICANN org this year is establishing the ICANN Grant Program. After delivering the preliminary design and implementation plan late last year, we are well on the way to launching the program in 2023.

These are just a few of the many projects and programs we are working on. ICANN org is moving forward with all planned activities according to schedule, and we will update the community on our progress as usual.

Finally, I am thrilled to report that ICANN org has fully reopened all our offices for the first time since March 2020. Even though we have achieved a lot in the past three years as we worked remotely throughout the pandemic, I am confident that with the ability to meet and collaborate in person again, we will accomplish even more in 2023.