After a break of more than two decades, the ICANN conference is returning to Germany. From October 21 to 26, Hamburg will host the 78th conference of the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers, according to confirmation from the local media authority.
The conference will address key issues related to the future of the internet, including the application process for new generic top-level domains, which are expected to be released in 2026. Other major topics include the development of an open, free, and secure internet, the technical coordination of the web, and the rules and practices that shape domain name management.
The event is especially notable because it is the first ICANN conference in Germany since 1999 and the first ever to be held in Hamburg. Hamburg’s media senator, Carsten Brosda, highlighted the importance of the gathering, saying the conference would play an important role in shaping the internet’s future. He also described Hamburg as an ideal location for the international internet community because of its strong media sector and openness to innovation.
ICANN was founded in 1998 with the mission of ensuring a stable, secure, and unified global internet. Hamburg-based lawyer Oliver Süme, an important figure in the internet community, played a key role in bringing the conference to the city. He welcomed the event and emphasized the democratic processes involved in internet governance.
In a related interview, Süme criticized Germany’s skepticism toward technology and stressed the need for greater investment in internet infrastructure and data centers. He praised Hamburg for its progress in areas such as mobility transformation, but noted that the city still has room to improve, especially compared with data center hubs like Frankfurt.