ICANN (Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers) and UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) are joining forces for the third annual Universal Acceptance (UA) Day, set to take place around March 28, 2025. This event, introduced in 2023, aims to unite local, national, and global organizations in support of UA. Their collaboration builds upon a 2009 Cooperation Agreement, focusing on promoting Internet inclusivity.
Universal Acceptance ensures that all domain names and email addresses, regardless of script, language, or length, function equally across Internet-enabled systems, devices, and applications.
During its 42nd General Conference in November 2023, UNESCO member states acknowledged UA’s importance in fostering multilingualism online. This aligns with UNESCO’s 2003 recommendations to enhance multilingual access to cyberspace. “UA is fundamental for a globally inclusive Internet,” said Dr. Tawfik Jelassi, UNESCO’s Assistant Director General for Communication and Information, highlighting its role in affirming cultural inclusion.
For UA Day 2025, UNESCO will leverage its global reach to advocate for policies promoting multilingualism online and support digital empowerment through its Global Action Plan for the International Decade of Indigenous Languages (IDIL 2022–2032). ICANN Interim President Sally Costerton also expressed enthusiasm for the partnership, recognizing it as a step toward creating a more inclusive and multilingual Internet.
UA Day, organized by ICANN, the Universal Acceptance Steering Group (UASG), and global partners, will feature virtual and in-person events to raise UA awareness. Event proposals from interested organizations are being accepted until October 11, 2024. The expansion of the Domain Name System has made UA essential for a fully inclusive Internet where everyone can use their preferred domain name and email.
For more details about UA Day, visit https://universalacceptance.day, or to learn about UA, visit https://uasg.tech and follow the hashtag #Internet4All on Facebook, LinkedIn, and X.
