The development of a truly multilingual global internet cannot be achieved by any single entity – is a shared responsibility. This was emphasized by Theresa Swinehart – ICANN, Senior Vice President of Global Domains and Strategy, during the regional conference “Building a Truly Multilingual Internet”, recently held in Yerevan.
“Our goal is to make the internet fully inclusive, regardless of language or script. This will not happen automatically; it requires sustained effort to ensure that everyone can access the full potential of the internet in their native language,” she noted.
The global Universal Acceptance (UA) initiative, which brings together more than 120 countries, continues to expand its reach through ICANN’s multistakeholder model of cooperation.
Speaking at the fourth conference organized by the Internet Society NGO as part of Universal Acceptance Day, Swinehart highlighted Armenia’s active involvement in advancing the initiative.
“Armenia may be a small country, but its influence extends far beyond its borders. When Armenian is used in domain names and email addresses and functions seamlessly across all systems, it enables meaningful connections between people, families and organizations worldwide. It also plays an important role in preserving the unity of the Diaspora,” she said.
Swinehart also pointed to Armenia’s collaborative model as a potential example for other countries. This model unites government institutions, civil society, academia and both technical and private sector communities. According to her, local initiatives, including UA programs are helping drive practical solutions – particularly through the development of testing platforms for Armenian and Cyrillic-script email systems.
She further noted that the Universal Acceptance movement is now entering a new phase, shifting from awareness to implementation. As part of this transition, UA has been incorporated into ICANN’s 2026 – 2030 strategic plan, accompanied by the formation of dedicated teams, the rollout of training programs and other systematic efforts to advance its adoption.
