Globally, countries are grappling with a broad range of internet-related issues: from ensuring digital inclusion and improved network resilience to AI governance to digital sovereignty. One of the leading organisations for internet governance policy development is ICANN, the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers. In this episode, we are joined by ICANN CEO and President Kurt Erik “Kurtis” Lindqvist, who was a featured speaker during the Caribbean Telecommunications Union’s ICT Week, which was held in Jamaica during the week of 29 September. During our conversation, Kurtis shared his thoughts on, among other things: the multi-stakeholder model, which has come under increasing criticism over the years; our progress globally towards achieving the WSIS framework’s objectives and the action lines;  why a multilingual Internet is important; and specific goals he would like to accomplish before his tenure as CEO ends.

 

This episode is also available on SoundCloud, Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Amazon Music..

The internet may seem borderless and decentralised, but its smooth functioning depends on a complex system of coordination, cooperation, and oversight—collectively known as internet governance. This framework ensures that the digital world operates securely, reliably, and equitably, encompassing everything from technical standards and domain name management to issues of privacy, cybersecurity, and digital inclusion.

At the heart of this ecosystem lies the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN). ICANN plays a crucial role in maintaining the internet’s stability by overseeing the global Domain Name System (DNS)—the system that translates web addresses (like example.com) into numerical IP addresses that computers use to find each other. It manages top-level domains (TLDs), accredits registrars, and coordinates key technical resources, ensuring a unified and interoperable internet. Importantly, ICANN operates through a multistakeholder model, which brings together governments, the private sector, civil society, and technical experts to make decisions collaboratively and transparently.

Over the years, both on the blog and Podcast, we have highlighted some of the issues being addressed by ICANN, and most recently, in 2024, we had Albert Daniels, the Senior Manager, Stakeholder Engagement for the Caribbean region, on the show. However, in such a dynamic space, an opportunity to get an update on important developments is always welcomed.

 

Introducing our guest

Kurt Erik “Kurtis” Lindqvist

Kurt Erik “Kurtis” Lindqvist is a seasoned technology executive and business leader who became President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of ICANN on 9 December 2024. With more than 30 years of experience in engineering and business development of Internet service providers, Internet Exchange Points, and global network carriers, Lindqvist has dedicated his career to advancing the stability, security, and accessibility of the Internet.

Prior to joining ICANN, Lindqvist served as CEO of the London Internet Exchange (LINX), a leading operator of worldwide interconnection services, from 2019 to 2024. Prior to this, he was CEO of Netnod from 2002 to 2015. Lindqvist also chaired the European Internet Exchange Association (Euro-IX) from 2003 to 2020, which underscores his long-standing leadership in Internet infrastructure organisations.

Lindqvist has been a leading voice in Internet governance (IG) and technical development. He served on the Internet Architecture Board (IAB) and led working groups within the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF) and RIPE, where his efforts helped shape critical Internet standards and policies. Additionally, he has advised the Swedish government on IG, broadband policy, and other key areas, fostering collaboration between public and private sectors.

Lindqvist studied Computer Science at Uppsala University, Sweden, and holds an Executive MBA from the International Institute for Management Development (IMD) in Lausanne, Switzerland.

 

Insights into our conversation

Interviewing the head of a stakeholder-driven organisation such as ICANN, which is charged with facilitating and serving its constituents, can be a tricky business. The ICANN stakeholders determine the internet governance policies that will be adopted, and so while the CEO may have their own thoughts on a particular issue—which may not be different from stakeholders—the views and perspectives of the whole take precedence.

Although we did not get into the weeds of the topics raised with Kurtis, there was still a sense that a considerable amount of work has been done, and is still to be done, as the internet continues to evolve to ensure that it remains an inclusive space. Moreover, it is crucial for stakeholders, especially from developing countries and regions to become more involved in the internet governance policymaking process as they will have a seat at the table—if they choose to participate.

Below are the main questions posed to Kurtis, which drove our conversation.

  1. To start us off, please give us a sense of your background and the journey to becoming the ICANN CEO.
  2. The multistakeholder model is a model that has been adopted for many forums addressing internet governance issues, including ICANN meetings. Though there are benefits, it has increasingly come under criticism. What are your thoughts on the multi-stakeholder approach, and is it possible to better manage some of the challenges it can perpetuate?
  3.  By the end of this year, 2025, the 20-year review of the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) framework should be concluded. Globally, how would you rate our progress towards the framework’s objectives and the action lines that should have been pursued?
  4. In the Caribbean, when digital inclusion is being discussed, it tends to be with respect to facilitating internet access in rural areas or underserved communities. However, what is ICANN’s view on digital inclusivity, and are there other forms of inclusion that ought to be considered?
  5. Here on the Podcast, we have had some discussions on the new application round for gTLDs. Why is this an important initiative for ICANN, and why is it important for developing regions, such as the Caribbean, to participate?
  6. What important lessons were learnt from the first gTLD round that are being applied to the new round?
  7. Although hundreds, even thousands, of languages and dialects are spoken worldwide, they are not represented online, and there are even fears that some of them are dying out. Why is a multilingual Internet important?
  8. What is the long-term vision for ICANN?
  9. During your tenure, are there any specific goals you would like to see achieved?

 

We would love to hear your thoughts!

Do leave us a comment either here beneath this article, or on our Facebook or LinkedIn pages, or via Twitter, @ICTPulse.

Also, if you or a member of your network is interested in joining us for an episode, do get in touch.

Let’s make it happen!

 

Select links

Below are links to some of the organisations and resources that were mentioned during the episode, or might otherwise be useful:

 

 

Images credit:  ICANN;  Wikimedia Commons

Music credit: The Last Word (Oui Ma Chérie), by Andy Narrell

Podcast editing support: Mayra Bonilla Lopez