As ICANN prepares for its next domain expansion, Board discussions will address infrastructure readiness, auction proceeds and unresolved root server governance arrangements.

The ICANN Board will review implementation milestones for the 2026 round of new generic top-level domains (gTLDs), proposed changes to root server governance, and preparations for two major international Internet governance meetings during its October workshop in Bali, Indonesia.

In an October 13 agenda preview, Board Chair Tripti Sinha outlined the discussions scheduled ahead of ICANN87, which takes place October 17—22. The agenda identifies several areas where implementation work remains under consideration, although it announces no new policy decisions.

The 2026 gTLD round remains a central focus. The Board will receive an update on Reveal Day and upcoming milestones in the New gTLD Program, which will enable another expansion of the Internet’s domain name space.

Directors will also examine progress on ICANN’s System and Services Scaling and Enhancements program, which is intended to strengthen the infrastructure supporting registry operators and the technical service providers responsible for operating new gTLDs.

The review places attention on operational readiness as the program advances. The Board’s preview does not specify whether outstanding infrastructure requirements could affect subsequent milestones or when the scaling work is expected to be completed.

Auction proceeds are entering the discussion. The Board will begin considering how potential proceeds from auctions associated with the 2026 round should be used. The announcement does not identify proposed allocations or establish a process for determining their eventual use.

Root server governance is another unresolved item. Directors will continue examining the Root Server System Governance Working Group’s proposed functional model. ICANN staff will present preliminary implementation work, timelines, and possible safeguards, including considerations for establishing an RSS Council and developing the policies necessary for a complete governance structure.

The discussion concerns the institutional arrangements governing a critical component of the DNS. The preview does not indicate that the Board will approve the proposed model during the workshop.

International governance preparations extend beyond ICANN87. The Board will review ICANN’s preparations for the International Telecommunication Union’s Plenipotentiary Conference in November and the Internet Governance Forum in December. Both meetings provide opportunities for international discussion of Internet-related policy, although their institutional roles differ from ICANN’s technical coordination responsibilities.

Other scheduled business includes consideration of proposed changes to ICANN’s organizational review system, an examination of ongoing policy development work, and reviews of audited financial statements and risk management activities.

The Board will also hold a public informational session on the Generic Names Supporting Organization’s Non-Contracted Parties House on October 16.

ICANN87 concludes with a public forum and Board meeting on October 22, when new directors will be welcomed and Board leadership elected for the next term.

The October agenda establishes the subjects under review, but leaves several implementation questions open, particularly the timetable for supporting infrastructure, the treatment of potential auction revenue, and the steps required to translate proposed root server governance arrangements into an operational framework.