Azerbaijan, ICANN to cooperate on digital ecosystem, internet security

Azerbaijan’s Information and Communication Technologies Agency (AICT) and the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) have signed a memorandum of understanding aimed at expanding cooperation in internet governance, capacity building, digital ecosystem development, and online security and stability.

The agreement was signed at ICANN’s 86th Policy Forum held in Seville, Spain, where participants discussed issues related to the development of the global internet, Caliber.Az reports, citing local media.

The memorandum establishes a framework for cooperation between AICT, a national regulatory body under Azerbaijan’s Ministry of Digital Development and Transport, and ICANN, the global organisation responsible for coordinating unique internet identifiers, including domain names and IP address resources.

Under the agreement, the two sides will cooperate in several areas of mutual interest, including the development and implementation of educational and capacity-building programs in the Domain Name System (DNS) and internet governance; facilitating stakeholder participation in ICANN policy processes; and promoting public awareness and engagement among government institutions, academia, the private sector, and technical communities in Azerbaijan.

They will also organise joint training programs, seminars, and educational events on internet security, stability, and resilience; promote Universal Acceptance principles to ensure the correct and consistent functioning of all internet identifiers, including domain names and email addresses using local languages and scripts, across digital platforms and software; and exchange non-confidential information and best practices on internet policy, regulation, and development trends.

The cooperation is expected to strengthen local expertise, expand opportunities for Azerbaijani stakeholders in global internet governance initiatives, and support the country’s digital transformation agenda.

The memorandum also reaffirms the importance of a multistakeholder model involving governments, technical communities, academia, the private sector, and civil society in addressing the future of the internet.

AICT and ICANN said they will continue joint efforts to promote knowledge exchange, cooperation, and institutional capacity building to support the sustainable development of Azerbaijan’s and the global internet ecosystem.

By Bakhtiyar Abbasov