Indonesia Prepares to Host Global Internet Governance Forum in Bali

The Ministry of Communication and Digital Affairs has expressed support for Indonesia’s hosting of the ICANN87 Annual General Meeting, scheduled to take place in Bali from 17 to 22 October 2026. The support was conveyed during a meeting between Vice Minister of Communication and Digital Affairs Nezar Patria and the Indonesian Internet Domain Name Management (Pandi) and the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) in Jakarta on Friday (3/7). Nezar welcomed the visit by Pandi and ICANN in preparation for ICANN87. An invitation for the Minister of Communication and Digital Affairs to attend and open the forum will be forwarded for further attention. The meeting was also attended by ICANN Vice President of Stakeholder Engagement and Managing Director for Asia Pacific, Samiran Gupta, and Pandi Chairman, Isnawan. The meeting served as part of the coordination efforts for Indonesia’s role as host and to strengthen cross-stakeholder support for the global internet governance forum. “As the local host for ICANN87, Pandi appreciates the support and collaboration established with Komdigi. Government support is considered crucial to ensure the forum runs smoothly, from cross-stakeholder coordination to technical preparations,” Isnawan said. The meeting also discussed the importance of strengthening coordination in handling domain name abuse, including those related to illegal content such as online gambling. Pandi is currently using the Indonesia Domain Abuse Data Exchange (IDADX) platform to support more structured monitoring, analysis, and coordination in addressing domain name abuse. Samiran Gupta also expressed appreciation for the positive reception from Vice Minister Nezar towards ICANN’s visit to Indonesia. In addition to event preparations, the discussion covered Komdigi’s support on technical aspects, including coordination regarding customs and immigration permits. The hosting of ICANN87 in Bali presents an opportunity for Indonesia to strengthen its involvement in global internet governance. Collaboration between Komdigi, Pandi, ICANN, and other stakeholders is expected to reinforce the commitment to building a safe, inclusive, and trustworthy digital space. Registration for ICANN87 has been open since 6 July 2026. The forum is open to the internet community, academics, industry players, government, and the public with an interest in internet development and governance.