ICANN81 featured the traditional ccNSO sessions, where representatives from national domains provided updates. During these sessions, national registry representatives shared their insights on ongoing projects, discussed their achievements, and introduced new initiatives.
Erdem Bayrak, a representative of a Turkish registry (TRABIS, .TR), shared that the .TR domain has been in existence since 1991. The domain operates under a distributed registration model through 19 accredited registrars, with a special registrar handling third-level domains such as gov.tr, edu.tr, and others. Currently, the .TR domain has around 1.3 million registered domains, including approximately 1 million third-level domains under .com.tr. Additionally, a specialized dispute resolution mechanism (DRP) is in place for domain-related issues, and since its introduction in 2022, more than 400 domain disputes have been resolved through this system. The TR-CERT organization is responsible for addressing DNS abuse in Türkiye. To combat issues such as phishing, a specialized artificial intelligence-based application is used for early detection of DNS abuse. Additionally, the registry is currently working on a new procedure and technical solution for changing domain ownership. As a result, changing the registrant of a .TR domain is currently prohibited until September 2025.
Huu Ly Thai, a representative of the .VN domain registry (Vietnam), reported that by October 2024, approximately 622,000 domains had been registered under the .VN extension. Registrations are available in second-level domains, including 16 generic domains (such as com.vn, id.vn) and 63 geographic domains (like .hanoi.vn). Vietnam is actively advancing its digital transformation program, which includes digital government services, online citizen services, digital economy initiatives, and educational programs. The registration process utilizes eKYC identification for verification, and electronic signature technologies are also employed. To enhance domain security, services like Registry Lock have been introduced. Additionally, the .VN registry is promoting the .VN domain by offering free .biz.vn and .id.vn domains to citizens and small businesses.
Davis Waithaka, a representative of the .KE domain registry (Kenya), focused on a program aimed at developing free websites for approximately 1,000 schools across Africa.
Sophie Mitchell from the auDA registry (.AU, Australia) presented a report titled A Window to the Future: The auDA Future Scenarios Project 2024. This intriguing project explores three potential future scenarios. By analyzing the current situation and possible challenges, the project team identified three possible global developments by 2044, each centered on a distinct priority: the first focuses on national security, the second on ecological civilization, and the third on profit, where business corporations become new states. While these scenarios may seem far-fetched today, they offer valuable insights into future possibilities and the direction of global development.
In the second part of the ccNSO news sessions, Maša Drofenik (.SI, Slovenia) gave a presentation titled Artificial Intelligence: Policies and Readiness. She shared that the European Union had approved the EU AI Act, which outlines fundamental principles for the use of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies. Following this, the .SI registry developed its own Registry Policy to guide AI usage. The purpose of the AI Policy is to address various aspects of AI integration, providing staff with a clear framework for appropriate AI use and informing them about which AI tools are permissible in their workflows.
Azkhat Gimranov (.UZ, Uzbekistan) also spoke during the session, providing an update on the .UZ domain. He said that there are currently around 130,000 domains in the .UZ registry, with numbers growing rapidly, and introduced several new registry services. In 2023, the registry launched NFT certificates for domains using blockchain technology, providing additional protection for domain owners on a voluntary basis. In 2024, a new AI-powered domain selection service was developed. Additionally, in December 2024, the .UZ registry plans to introduce a domain auction service. After the redemption period, domains will be listed on an auction platform, with domain classification determined using AI, and premium domains (such as short 2−4 character domains) being clearly identified. The process for selecting premium domains will be transparent, and an end-user call center will also be set up to assist with domain registrations on the auction platform.
