[CPWG] 2022 IGF & New gTLD Question

[mike palage.com]

Hello All,

This week I have seen many ICANN community members participating, in person and virtually, at IGF 2022.  Today during the IGF 2022 Town Hall, "Launch of the Coalition for Digital Africa" there was a statement by Goran which made me do a double take. In response to a questions about new gTLDs Goran stated that "[t]he intention of the top level domains is not to have more English top level domains where you read left to right."

I have included the full scribed text below along with a link to the YouTube video (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-VXcWW74qG4 at 4:34:42)

When exactly did this change in policy happen, I must have missed it. Any insight would be greatly appreciated.

Best regards,

Michael

"One more thing.  One other small thing that I can do, and it's one of the biggest things we have done in a long time.  We are going in the process where we want to have more top level domains, domain names and we are right now in the process after a long period of time from ICANN community work, where we -- on the 14th, we are going to start about the Next Generation of top level domains.  The intention of the top level domains is not to have more English top level domains where you read left to right.  And the intention is to make sure the top level domains are for regions, Africa is one we would like to talk about.  We would like to see more African top level domains operated here in Africa and that support your businesses and community and lives."