The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) is a nonprofit organisation responsible for coordinating and managing various fundamental aspects of the Domain Name System (DNS), internet protocol (IP) address allocation, and the overall stability and security of the internet’s unique identifiers.
ICANN oversees the domain name system, which includes the management of domain names and associated top-level domains (TLDs). It coordinates the allocation and maintenance of domain names, ensuring they are unique and globally accessible.
It collaborates with regional internet registries (RIRs) to manage the allocation and assignment of IP addresses and autonomous system numbers (ASNs) to internet service providers (ISPs) and organisations worldwide.
ICANN develops and implements technical standards and policies related to domain names, IP addresses, and DNS protocols, aiming to ensure the interoperability and stability of the internet. It also facilitates a multistakeholder model that allows various internet stakeholders, including governments, businesses, technical experts, and civil society, to participate in the development of internet policies and standards.