ICANN and ALETI Sign MoU to Promote Universal Acceptance in the LAC Region

The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) and the Federación de Asociaciones de Latinoamérica, El Caribe y España de Entidades de Tecnología de Información y Comunicación (ALETI) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen cooperation in promoting Universal Acceptance (UA) of all domain names and email addresses across Latin America and the Caribbean.

The MoU marks an important step toward strengthening ICANN's engagement with the region's private sector and software industry, supporting the organization's strategic objective to foster a more inclusive and multilingual Internet.

ALETI, a federation that brings together national technology chambers from across Ibero-America, the Caribbean, Spain, and Portugal, represents a wide network of associations and professionals in the software and information technology sectors. Following ALETI's participation in UA Day 2024, both organizations identified a shared interest in building technical capacity among software developers and digital innovators to advance UA adoption.

Pursuant to the MoU, ICANN and ALETI will collaborate to deliver technical training, capacity-building workshops, and awareness campaigns that strengthen Universal Acceptance (UA) readiness and encourage the implementation of Internationalized Domain Names (IDNs). The goal is to equip ALETI's member organizations to share UA knowledge and best practices across the region's technology ecosystem.

In addition to advancing technical capacity, the MoU provides a framework for ICANN and ALETI to contribute to the broader digital transformation goals of Latin America and the Caribbean by ensuring that all domain names and email addresses, regardless of script, language, or length, function seamlessly across digital platforms.

"This collaboration with ALETI reflects our commitment to working closely with industry associations to promote a truly inclusive Internet," said Rodrigo de la Parra, ICANN Vice President, Stakeholder Engagement and Managing Director for Latin America and the Caribbean. "By building technical capacity among software professionals, we're taking an important step toward Universal Acceptance readiness in the region."

Juan Francisco Martínez Lara, President of ALETI, said, "ALETI is proud to formalize this cooperation with ICANN. Together, we will strengthen the region's digital ecosystem, equipping our members with the skills to lead in technological innovation and Internet development."

"By collaborating with ALETI, we're helping ensure that the next generation of digital tools in Latin America and the Caribbean support users to use domain names and email addresses in their own language and script," said Sarmad Hussain, ICANN's Senior Director for IDN and UA Programs. "IDNs and Universal Acceptance are key to an Internet that reflects the world's linguistic and cultural diversity."

The MoU establishes a long-term framework for collaboration through technical, educational, and outreach activities. It reinforces both organizations' commitment to advancing the stability, security, and inclusivity of the Internet, helping ensure that the digital future of Latin America and the Caribbean is open, resilient, and multilingual.

For more information about Universal Acceptance and ICANN's initiatives, visit icann.org/ua.

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