Distinguished colleagues,

It is my distinct pleasure to welcome you to today’s side event on “The Role of Governments in the Launch of the New Generic Top-Level Domain Names.”

As many of you know, Albania had the privilege of serving as co-facilitator of the WSIS+20 review process, helping guide Member States and stakeholders through an inclusive and forward-looking dialogue on the future of digital governance. The successful conclusion of the High-Level Meeting of the General Assembly in December 2025, culminating in the adoption by consensus of the WSIS+20 Outcome Document, reaffirmed a shared commitment to a people-centered, inclusive, development-oriented, and multistakeholder digital future.

Importantly, the outcomes of the December review reaffirmed the continued relevance of the multistakeholder model of internet governance, recognizing that governments, the private sector, the technical community, civil society, academia, and international organizations all have essential and complementary roles to play in shaping the digital ecosystem. The review also underscored the need for stronger digital trust, meaningful inclusion, improved digital cooperation, and governance frameworks that remain responsive to emerging technological realities.

It is precisely within this broader framework that today’s discussion becomes especially relevant.

The launch of new generic top-level domain names may appear at first glance to be a highly technical issue. Yet, in reality, it carries significant implications for public policy, economic development, trust, digital identity, consumer protection, intellectual property, and cultural and geographic representation online.

As the internet continues to evolve, governments have an important responsibility to engage constructively in these processes—not to replace the multistakeholder system, but to help safeguard the public interest, ensure policy coherence, and foster an enabling environment for innovation.

At the same time, the launch of new generic top-level domains also offers tremendous opportunities: opportunities for greater inclusion, local representation, entrepreneurship, linguistic diversity, and stronger digital participation across regions and communities.

The discussions we held throughout the WSIS+20 process reminded us of a central truth: effective digital governance cannot be achieved in isolation. It requires dialogue, cooperation, and shared responsibility.

Today’s side event offers an important opportunity to reflect on how governments can continue contributing meaningfully to the evolution of the domain name system while preserving an internet that remains open, interoperable, secure, and innovation-driven.

I would like to sincerely thank the organizers, distinguished speakers, and all participants for joining us today and contributing to this timely discussion.

I wish you a productive and engaging exchange.

Thank you.