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🇮🇩 Indonesia /Technology

ICANN Relocates Global Internet Forum to Bali from Oman Amid Middle East Conflict

From Tempo · () Indonesian

Translated from Indonesian, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources New plan
  • ICANN has relocated its global internet governance forum from Oman to Bali, Indonesia, due to Middle East conflict.
  • The ICANN87 Annual General Meeting will now take place in Nusa Dua, Bali, from October 17–22, 2026.
  • Indonesian officials and ICANN representatives expressed readiness and confidence in hosting the event successfully.

The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) has officially moved its global internet governance forum from Muscat, Oman, to Nusa Dua, Bali. The ICANN87 Annual General Meeting (AGM), scheduled for October 17–22, 2026, was relocated due to escalating conflict in the Middle East, which posed security concerns for potential attendees. Bali was chosen as a safer alternative to ensure participation and safety.

We ask PANDI, especially under its new management, to prepare and work closely with ICANN to ensure the success of ICANN87 in Bali.

— Samiran GuptaICANN Vice President Samiran Gupta speaking during the meeting where the relocation was decided.

The decision followed a closed-door meeting between ICANN officials and an Indonesian delegation, including representatives from the Ministry of Communication and Digital Affairs (Komdigi) and the Indonesian Domain Name Administrator (PANDI). The meeting occurred on the sidelines of ICANN86 in Seville, Spain. ICANN Vice President Samiran Gupta urged PANDI to prepare thoroughly for the event's success.

Indonesian officials welcomed the move, with Director of Digital Space Supervision at Komdigi, Teguh Arifiyadi, assuring that the ministry, alongside PANDI, is ready to ensure the event's success. PANDI Supervisory Board Chair Hammam Riza also expressed confidence in completing preparations despite the limited timeframe. Ashwin Sasongko Sastrosubroto, Indonesia's representative to ICANN’s Governmental Advisory Committee (GAC), highlighted the AGM's importance as ICANN's most significant annual meeting for discussing internet governance issues and receiving stakeholder input.

Komdigi, together with PANDI as co-host, is ready to ensure the success of this major event with support from local partners and Indonesia’s internet community.

— Teguh ArifiyadiDirector of Digital Space Supervision at Komdigi, responding to the relocation mandate.

The ICANN AGM is the organization's primary annual gathering, focusing on the Domain Name System (DNS) and IP address allocation. The Bali meeting is anticipated to attract at least 1,500 participants from approximately 150 countries, underscoring its global significance.

Together with the new PANDI management and full support from Komdigi, we will work hand in hand to ensure the success of ICANN87 in Bali.

— Hammam RizaPANDI Supervisory Board Chair expressing confidence in preparations.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Tempo in Indonesian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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