Today, we've launched the inaugural Asia-Pacific region (APAC) Domain Name System (DNS) Forum with our co-host MYNIC. We welcome you to participate in the Forum which will take place virtually over the next three days (30 March to 1 April). If you have not already registered, please do so here.
The importance of the DNS as an essential building block of the global Internet is now widely understood and accepted. As a consequence, the domain name space can increasingly be overlooked or taken for granted as people pivot towards the supposedly "next big thing" such as Web 3.0, Blockchain, and the Metaverse.
We enjoy a single, global, interoperable Internet because the DNS serves as the unifying system or glue that holds the Internet together. Because it works so well, it never ceases to amaze me that the DNS is not a single market. Instead, it is a highly developed framework of discrete markets including top-level domains/registries, registrars who act as retailers of domain names, DNS name certification, DNS name resolution, hosting of authoritative name servers, and many others.
Miraculously, there is no master switch, no one orchestrating the system behind the scenes; no one is in charge of the DNS and yet it works! These different markets are able to work cohesively together, underpinning the unified and global Internet we know and rely on.
Still, the future of the DNS is uncertain. New technologies could have an impact on how the DNS is used. Concerns from stakeholders about privacy and cybersecurity could have an impact on the trust in the DNS. And in the worst-case scenario, the unified and global Internet that is open to all may become fragmented if the stakeholders do not continue to work together.
We need a platform for the DNS' diverse stakeholders to come together to exchange information, share views, and collaborate to address these challenges. ICANN, together with local co-hosts, has hosted DNS forums around the world, and now, we are really excited to premiere the APAC DNS Forum.
In the next few days, we will explore relevant topics such as improving stakeholder collaboration to mitigate DNS security threats, and technical discussions about DNS health. Our discussions are not for industry insiders only. For example, if you own a domain name or website, you may be interested in the session titled, "Being a Registrant – Things to Note," where speakers will share useful information on your responsibilities and rights, and you will also get useful tips on how to improve cyber hygiene. For business owners, you have a chance to boost your digital branding skills.
We had hoped to turn the Forum into a regional community hub for networking as it is the best way to foster collaboration. While we are unable to do so due to the ongoing pandemic, I look forward to meeting you in the latter part of the year as the ICANN75 meeting is planned to be held in Kuala Lumpur (17-22 September). If possible, I will organize a networking session for our community then.
I hope to see you virtually this week, and hopefully in person in September!
