ICANN84 in Muscat, Oman: Addressing Community ConcernsSally Costerton

Since ICANN announced Muscat, Oman, as the host city for the ICANN84 Annual General Meeting (AGM), community members have raised concerns, including the potential risks of discrimination against LGBTQ+ individuals. This also has led some to question why Oman was selected and what measures the ICANN organization (org) will take to protect attendees.

The location selection process for ICANN meetings considers several factors, including geographic diversity, regional engagement, and the practical needs of ICANN's global community. ICANN org identifies sites for ICANN's public meetings within the approved budget and meetings strategy. Additionally, the ICANN Security Operations Team performs a comprehensive safety assessment for each proposed meeting site, consulting trusted sources such as International SOS, the U.S. Department of State, Australian and UK Government travel advisories, and local authorities. ICANN also conducts human rights assessments for ICANN meeting locations, including LGBTQ+ rights, freedom of expression and worker's rights. Sources include the U.S. Department of State, Equaldex, Freedom House, Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International, among others. These assessments help inform discussions about potential risks to ICANN meeting participants and provide mitigating plans.

It also is important to consider how regional rotation promotes global participation. ICANN seeks to rotate its three annual meetings across five global regions to ensure diverse stakeholder engagement. This regional rotation, recommended by the Meeting Strategy Working Group and adopted by the ICANN Board in 2016, allows local communities, governments, and Internet stakeholders to participate in discussions on Internet governance. Hosting ICANN84 in Oman provides an opportunity to re-engage with the community in this part of the world, where ICANN last held a meeting in Abu Dhabi in 2017.

Oman was selected based on its ability to meet these requirements while providing a safe environment for all attendees. Our host is the Omani government. They have given us assurance that they will fully support ICANN, and together we are committed to ensuring a safe and welcoming environment for all participants. Additionally, the ICANN Security Operations Team has confirmed Oman's low crime rates and the rarity of violent crime, which further reinforced its suitability as a safe host country.

This selection also supports ICANN's commitment to global engagement and our multistakeholder community. It aids in ensuring that stakeholders from all regions can actively participate in technical and policy work related to the Internet's unique identifier systems, and in shaping the future of Internet governance.

As is our standard practice, Security Operations will closely monitor the location and greater region for emerging security risks in the months leading up to the meeting. If the situation were to change and it became unsafe to hold the meeting in Muscat, we would revert to a fully virtual meeting.

However, we recognize the concerns surrounding ICANN84, particularly for LGBTQ+ attendees, and we are taking proactive measures to ensure the safety and well-being of all participants, including:

• On-site security team members available 24/7 during the meeting for support and advice.
• A comprehensive safety guide outlining local laws and customs.
• Pre-event briefings and travel advice focused on LGBTQ+ safety.
• Safe transportation options to and from the venue.
• On-site support services for those needing assistance.
• A diversity and inclusion statement welcoming all participants.

Additionally, as with any Public Meeting, ICANN's Community Anti-Harassment Policy is in place and harassment, or discriminatory conduct will not be tolerated.

ICANN org is fully committed to creating a safe, inclusive environment for all participants. With the support from the Omani government and detailed assessments from reliable sources, we are confident the meeting in Oman will be productive and safe.