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ICANN Cancels Puerto Rico Meeting, Goes Virtual

The Enduring Shift: ICANN Meetings Remain Virtual Amidst Global Uncertainty

For stakeholders deeply invested in the future of the internet, the wait for in-person ICANN meetings continues. What was once a temporary measure has evolved into an ongoing reality, as the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) navigates the complex landscape of global health and travel restrictions. The latest update confirms that the highly anticipated ICANN73 meeting, originally planned for March 2022 in Puerto Rico, will now proceed as an entirely virtual event. This decision, while perhaps expected by many, underscores the persistent challenges faced by international organizations reliant on global participation and collaboration.

ICANN logo representing internet governance and global collaboration

ICANN73 Moves Online: Prioritizing Health and Safety

ICANN’s announcement to cancel its in-person plans for ICANN73 in San Juan, Puerto Rico, for March 2022 marks another significant pivot in its meeting schedule. The decision transforms what was envisioned as a vibrant gathering in the Caribbean into another online forum. This shift highlights ICANN’s commitment to the health and safety of its diverse global community, a paramount concern given the fluctuating nature of the global pandemic. While virtual meetings offer undeniable benefits in terms of accessibility and reduced environmental impact, they invariably alter the dynamic of policy discussions and community engagement that are hallmarks of ICANN’s multi-stakeholder model.

The transition to a virtual format for ICANN73 means that all planned sessions, workshops, and discussions surrounding critical internet governance issues – from domain name policy to security and stability of the DNS – will take place entirely online. Participants from around the world will once again connect through digital platforms, adapting to time zone differences and relying on virtual tools to foster collaboration. This continued reliance on virtual interactions challenges ICANN and its community to innovate continuously in how they facilitate meaningful engagement and achieve consensus on policies that affect the entire internet ecosystem.

A Recurring Hope: The Tentative Plans for ICANN74

Alongside the announcement for ICANN73, the organization expressed its intention to hold ICANN74 as an in-person meeting in The Hague, Netherlands, in June 2022. However, this statement carries a familiar tone, echoing similar assurances made about previous meetings that ultimately reverted to virtual formats. For instance, the same hope was expressed for the Puerto Rico meeting after the Seattle event, held just months prior, was also shifted online. This pattern underscores the unpredictable nature of planning large-scale international gatherings in a post-pandemic world.

The aspirational goal of an in-person ICANN74 reflects a deep understanding of the unique value that face-to-face interactions bring to the internet governance sphere. Yet, the feasibility of this plan, like its predecessors, remains intrinsically tied to the global health situation. The efficacy of vaccination campaigns, the emergence of new COVID-19 variants, and the varying degrees of travel restrictions imposed by different nations will all play a crucial role in determining whether a physical meeting in The Hague can indeed take place. The repeated deferment of in-person gatherings creates an environment of uncertainty, requiring both ICANN and its community to remain agile and adaptable.

Why In-Person Meetings Are Crucial for Internet Governance

To fully appreciate the impact of these cancellations, one must understand the unique role of ICANN and why its in-person meetings are so vital. ICANN is a global non-profit organization responsible for coordinating the maintenance and procedures of several databases related to the namespaces and numerical spaces of the Internet, ensuring the stable and secure operation of the internet’s unique identifier systems. Its multi-stakeholder model brings together governments, businesses, civil society, technical experts, and academia from all corners of the globe to develop policies that govern domain names, IP addresses, and other critical internet resources.

In-person meetings serve as the crucible for this multi-stakeholder model. They provide unparalleled opportunities for:

  • Direct Dialogue and Relationship Building: Informal conversations in hallways, over coffee, or during social events often lead to breakthroughs in understanding and consensus that are difficult to replicate online. These personal connections are crucial for building trust and facilitating complex negotiations among diverse groups.
  • Inclusive Participation: While virtual meetings enhance accessibility for some, they can also present significant barriers for others due to internet connectivity issues, digital literacy gaps, and extreme time zone differences. In-person events can sometimes offer a more level playing field for participation, particularly for delegates from developing regions, given proper support mechanisms.
  • Intensive Policy Development: Many critical policy discussions and working group sessions require focused, extended periods of interaction. The immersive environment of an in-person meeting allows for deep dives into intricate technical and policy issues, fostering a more robust and efficient policy development process.
  • Networking and Mentorship: Newcomers to the ICANN community benefit immensely from direct interaction with experienced members, fostering mentorship opportunities and integrating fresh perspectives into the policy-making process.

The absence of these elements, while mitigated by dedicated virtual efforts, inevitably leaves a void in the overall fabric of internet governance collaboration.

The Pandemic’s Persistent Shadow: A Deeper Dive into ICANN’s Decision

In its official announcement, ICANN articulated the profound reasons behind its decision, highlighting the complexities and uncertainties that continue to define our global landscape:

The pandemic remains a persistent and volatile risk, particularly due to the more transmissible and globally predominant Delta variant. Although vaccination campaigns have advanced, COVID-19 continues to circulate widely in all regions. While there has been progress that might make it feasible to plan for and convene a meeting in San Juan, Puerto Rico in March 2022, the current risks and uncertainties remain too high to proceed with an in-person meeting or with an in-person component. This uncertainty also prevents ICANN org and the community from conducting the pre-planning activities necessary to hold an in-person meeting, and it prohibits any travel to conduct on-site technical and logistics planning that must begin months before the actual event.

This statement offers a candid assessment of the challenges. The phrase “persistent and volatile risk” perfectly encapsulates the dynamic nature of the pandemic, where new variants like Delta (and subsequently Omicron, though not mentioned in this historical context) constantly shift the goalposts for public health and travel. Despite the admirable progress in global vaccination campaigns, the uneven distribution and uptake of vaccines mean that COVID-19 continues to circulate widely, making large international gatherings inherently risky. The potential for a single event to become a super-spreader, particularly with participants traveling from diverse epidemiological environments, remains a significant concern.

Moreover, the logistical hurdles are immense. Planning an ICANN meeting is a monumental undertaking, requiring months of detailed preparation. This includes securing suitable venues, coordinating international travel and visas for thousands of participants, arranging accommodation, and establishing robust health and safety protocols tailored to the local context and evolving global guidelines. The “uncertainty” mentioned by ICANN directly impacts these crucial pre-planning activities. Travel restrictions, quarantine requirements, and the fluctuating status of local health measures make it virtually impossible to conduct essential on-site technical and logistics planning, which typically commences half a year or more before the event itself. Without this groundwork, hosting a safe and effective in-person meeting becomes an insurmountable task.

Adapting to a Digital Era: The Evolution of Virtual ICANN Meetings

For nearly two years, ICANN has successfully transitioned its major public meetings to virtual formats, demonstrating remarkable resilience and adaptability. These virtual gatherings have brought their own set of advantages:

  • Increased Accessibility: Individuals who might otherwise be unable to afford travel or secure visas can now participate from their homes or offices, potentially broadening the base of community engagement.
  • Cost Savings: Significant reductions in travel, accommodation, and venue costs benefit both ICANN and its community members.
  • Environmental Benefits: Reduced carbon footprint from fewer international flights aligns with global sustainability goals.

However, the challenges of sustained virtual engagement are equally evident. “Zoom fatigue,” time zone disparities that force some participants to join sessions in the middle of the night, and the inherent difficulty of fostering spontaneous, informal interactions online are common drawbacks. While ICANN has invested in robust virtual platforms and innovative engagement strategies, the digital experience often struggles to fully replicate the richness and immediacy of in-person interaction, particularly in complex policy discussions where nuanced body language and direct follow-up questions are invaluable.

Community Impact and the Road Ahead

The continuous shift to virtual meetings has a profound impact on the ICANN community. While there is a collective understanding of the necessity, a sense of longing for face-to-face interaction persists. Many community members, especially those who rely on these meetings for networking and capacity building, feel the absence of physical gatherings acutely. Yet, the community has also shown immense resilience, adapting to new ways of working and collaborating. This period has accelerated digital transformation within internet governance, pushing the boundaries of what is possible in online engagement.

Looking ahead, the future of global internet governance meetings is likely to involve a hybrid model – a blend of in-person and virtual components designed to maximize participation while minimizing risk and cost. However, implementing a truly effective hybrid meeting is arguably more complex than either a fully in-person or fully virtual event. It requires sophisticated technology, careful logistical planning, and equitable consideration for both physical and remote participants to ensure a seamless and inclusive experience. As ICANN continues to navigate these turbulent waters, its core mission of ensuring a stable, secure, and unified global Internet remains unchanged. The organization, along with its dedicated community, will persist in finding innovative ways to achieve its objectives, adapting to the realities of a world fundamentally reshaped by global events.