ICANN and UNESCO open call for proposals for UA Day 2027
in plain words
ICANN Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers The nonprofit that coordinates the global DNS and gTLD policy. Full definition of ICANN and UNESCO are asking groups around the world to organize events for Universal Acceptance Day 2027. Universal Acceptance The goal that every valid domain name and email address works in all software. Full definition of Universal Acceptance means making sure all website addresses and emails work properly no matter what language or script they use. People can submit event ideas between October and November 2026, and the events will happen between March and May 2027.
ICANN, working with UNESCO, has opened the call for proposals for the fifth annual Universal Acceptance (UA) Day, which will take place through events held between 25 March and 30 May 2027. Organizations can submit proposals from 8 October to 20 November 2026.
UA Day aims to raise awareness of Universal Acceptance, a technical standard ensuring that all valid domain name A readable internet name made of labels separated by dots. Full definition of domain name and email addresses work correctly across internet applications, devices and systems, regardless of language, script or character length. The initiative supports a more multilingual internet by encouraging adoption of UA among governments, businesses, academia and technical communities.
The collaboration between ICANN and UNESCO builds on UNESCO’s longstanding commitment to linguistic diversity, including its 2003 Recommendation concerning the Promotion and Use of Multilingualism and Universal Access to Cyberspace, and the UN’s International Decade of Indigenous Languages running from 2022 to 2032. In 2026, the two organizations published a joint policy brief with practical recommendations for advancing Universal Acceptance.
Organizers can propose events centered on UA adoption and demonstration, integration of UA into academic curricula, regional UA strategy reviews, or general UA awareness. Events may be held in person, virtually or in hybrid formats. ICANN says limited funding, training and technical guidance may be available to selected organizers, depending on eligibility and availability. Proposals must be submitted through ICANN’s official form.