[Aftld-members] https://www.icann.org/en/announcements/details/icann-and-aftld-partner-to-promote-universal-acceptance-in-africa-1-12-2021-en

[Barrack Otieno]

Dear Members,

Please note that we have the first session today at 12.30 UTC. Looking 
forwad to your participation.

Thank you


ICANN and AFTLD Partner to Promote Universal Acceptance in Africa

ISTANBUL -
1 December 2021

The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN), in 
partnership with the African Top Level Domain Organisations (AFTLD) 
today announced the creation of a collaborative Universal Acceptance 
(UA) training program for members of the African community. The African 
TLDs Regional Universal Acceptance Training Program will provide a 
training series on the technical aspects of UA and serve as an 
opportunity to discuss how to effectively address UA issues in the 
region.

Universal Acceptance of domain names and email addresses is key to 
achieving a digitally inclusive Internet by ensuring that all valid 
domain names and email addresses – regardless of script, language, or 
character length – are accepted equally by all Internet-enabled 
applications, devices, and systems. This includes supporting domain 
names using all country code top-level domains (ccTLDs), new and long 
generic top-level domains (gTLDs), and Internationalized Domain Names 
(IDNs).

This joint effort between ICANN and AFTLD is designed to raise awareness 
of UA challenges in the region, to help build capacity to address those 
challenges, as well as  assist ccTLD operators and other stakeholders in 
developing and implementing robust IDNs and UA-related systems and 
policies.

"Building programs focused on Universal Acceptance of domain names and 
email addresses with forward-thinking organizations like the AFTLD will 
promote Internet access for the diverse user base in Africa and help 
foster consumer choice and innovation," said Sarmad Hussain, ICANN 
Senior Director of IDN and UA Programs. "We look forward to working with 
the African community and launching similar efforts with other 
organizations committed to helping make UA a reality, globally."

The new joint training program will consist of monthly webinars starting 
in December 2021. The online sessions, delivered by leading industry 
experts and practitioners, will address various UA and IDN-related 
topics each targeted at relevant regional audiences including 
policymakers, technical administrators, ccTLD managers, registrars and 
their resellers, and local regulators and businesses.

-- 
Barrack Otieno

General Manager

Africa Top Level Domains Organization

+254721325277

www.aftld.org

'The Regional Association of African ccTLDs