By Antonio Dey | HGP Nightly News |
The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) marked a significant milestone this week with the launch of its inaugural “ICANN Near You” conference in the Caribbean. Held from February 3–5, 2026, at the University of Guyana’s College of Medical Sciences, the landmark event brought together regional leaders to strengthen the Caribbean’s digital resilience and technical capacity.
The three-day forum served as a critical platform for collaboration among a diverse group of stakeholders, including the CARICOM Secretariat, the National Data Management Authority (NDMA), and technical experts.
Strengthening the Caribbean’s Digital Foundation
The conference focused on hands-on technical training and high-level policy discussions aimed at securing the region’s place in the global digital economy. Facilitators led workshops on the Domain Name System (DNS) and DNS Security Extensions (DNSSEC)—essential components for ensuring a stable and secure internet.
Rodrigo de la Parra, ICANN’s Vice President for Stakeholder Engagement and Managing Director for Latin America and the Caribbean, emphasized that the “Caribbean premiere” of this engagement model reflects a move toward more localized, community-driven outreach.
“This technical function is very important for the internet and the world,” de la Parra noted. “The Caribbean premiere of ‘ICANN Near You’ in Guyana reflects the strong regional and national collaboration that makes the multi-stakeholder model work.”
Empowering Local Businesses and Academia
A key goal of the event was to demystify internet governance for non-technical professionals. Facilitators highlighted that the conference was designed for a broad audience, including lawyers, accountants, and policymakers, to ensure that internet development is inclusive and beneficial for all sectors.
Albert Daniels, ICANN’s Senior Manager for Stakeholder Engagement in the Caribbean, underscored the vital role of local partners:
- Internet Service Providers (ISPs): Identified as linchpins in maintaining regional stability.
- Academic Sector: The University of Guyana’s involvement highlights the need to prepare the next generation for future cybersecurity challenges.
- Public Sector: Engagement with law enforcement and government agencies to build a unified defense against cyber threats.
Legacy of Cooperation
The “ICANN Near You” initiative builds on previous regional efforts, such as the 2017 “Internet Week Guyana.” By bringing technical expertise directly to local communities, ICANN aims to foster a secure, inclusive, and interoperable internet ecosystem that protects the integrity of cyberspace across the Caribbean.
As the conference concluded on February 5th, the sentiment among attendees was clear: such collaborative efforts are vital to ensuring the Caribbean remains connected and prepared for the evolving demands of the internet age.
