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Rabat – The 10th edition of the Middle East DNS Forum (MEDNSF2024) kicked off on Wednesday in Rabat, marking a decade of exploring the ever-evolving Domain Name System (DNS) landscape in the region.
This two-day hybrid event, co-hosted by the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) and the Moroccan National Telecommunications Regulatory Agency (ANRT), brings together a diverse group of stakeholders to chart the future of the internet’s addressing system in the Middle East.
Middle East DNS Forum Rabat-Morocco
Themed “Celebrating Progress in the Middle East’s DNS Journey,” the forum explores the region’s remarkable digital transformation over the past decade.
It serves as a platform for experts to discuss strategies and innovations that will drive the continued growth and sustainability of the DNS ecosystem in the Middle East.
One of the focal points of the forum is cybersecurity, with an emphasis on mitigating emerging threats and fortifying the region’s online defenses.
Participants will examine strategies for enhancing cooperation between associations, government entities, and businesses to bolster DNS security across the Middle East.
Unlocking growth and potential
In an exclusive interview with Morocco World News, Baher Esmat, VP of Global Stakeholder Engagement for the Middle East at ICANN, highlighted the vast potential of the region.
Baher Esmat, VP of Global Stakeholder Engagement for the Middle East at ICANN
“The Middle East and Africa represent a diverse region with growing international penetration,” he said. “We’ve seen double-digit growth in domain registrations across many countries, indicating a thriving domain name industry.”
Esmat emphasized the importance of collaboration, citing ICANN’s initiatives like the Coalition for Digital Africa and Kind DNS, which aim to bolster internet infrastructure and security across the region.
“As you said, Africa and the Middle East are a very diverse region, but at the same time, it’s also a green field with a lot of potential in many countries,” he explained. “There is a great opportunity for growth. There is a great opportunity for development.”
Addressing the issue of cybersecurity, Esmat emphasized the need for fostering greater cooperation between associations, governments, and businesses to enhance DNS security.
He highlighted initiatives such as DNSSEC, a security protocol implemented in Morocco and other countries across the region to fortify domain infrastructure.
Middle East DNS Forum Rabat-Morocco
“The forum presents an excellent opportunity for dialogue and exchange of views on DNS security,” Esmat remarked, emphasizing the importance of collaborative efforts in safeguarding the integrity of the domain name system.
Championing multilingualism
Nabil Benamar, Professor of Computer Sciences, emphasized the significance of universal acceptance (UA) – the ability of the internet to represent all languages and scripts. “One of the main topics discussed is the principle of UA,” Benamar explained.
Nabil Benamar, Professor of Computer Sciences
He pointed out the discrepancy between multilingual content and the limitations of the current DNS system, which primarily uses Latin characters.
The forum will explore solutions for enabling domain names and email addresses in all languages, promoting inclusivity and wider internet access.
Benamar also highlighted Morocco’s pioneering role in adopting Arabic script domain names. “In 2012, ICANN introduced international domain names,” he said. “Following this, Morocco created its own country code top-level domain, not only in Latin script (.ma) but also in Arabic script (.المغرب).”
This development allows users to create subdomains entirely in Arabic script, a significant step towards a more inclusive online environment.
Middle East DNS Forum Rabat-Morocco
The discussions at MEDNSF2024 aim to shape the future of the DNS in the Middle East, fostering a secure, inclusive, and thriving digital landscape for the region.
By addressing cybersecurity challenges, promoting multilingualism, and fostering collaboration, the forum paves the way for a more robust and accessible internet for all.
