ICANN and UNESCO Partner for Universal Acceptance Day 2025 to Promote Internet Inclusivity

ICANN (Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers) and UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) are joining forces for the third annual Universal Acceptance (UA) Day, set to take place around March 28, 2025. This event, introduced in 2023, aims to unite local, national, and global organizations in support of UA. Their collaboration builds upon a 2009 Cooperation Agreement, focusing on promoting Internet inclusivity.

Universal Acceptance ensures that all domain names and email addresses, regardless of script, language, or length, function equally across Internet-enabled systems, devices, and applications.

During its 42nd General Conference in November 2023, UNESCO member states acknowledged UA’s importance in fostering multilingualism online. This aligns with UNESCO’s 2003 recommendations to enhance multilingual access to cyberspace. “UA is fundamental for a globally inclusive Internet,” said Dr. Tawfik Jelassi, UNESCO’s Assistant Director General for Communication and Information, highlighting its role in affirming cultural inclusion ...