Minutes | Meeting of the Strategic Planning Committee of the Board (SPC) | 19 February 2026

SPC Attendees: Amitabh Singhal - Chair, Alan Barrett, Greg DiBiase, Wes Hardaker, Constance de Leusse and Tripti Sinha

SPC Apologies: James Galvin

Staff Attendees: Franco Carrasco (Board Operations Manager), Samantha Eisner (Deputy General Counsel), Becky Nash (VP, Planning), Laena Rahim (Associate General Counsel, APAC) and Victoria Yang (Senior Manager, Planning)

The following is a summary of discussions, decisions, and actions identified:

The meeting was called to order at 15:30 UTC.

1. Agenda – Amitabh Singhal (Chair) established the agenda for the meeting and gave an overview of items to be discussed.

2. Annual Review of the SPC Charter – Prior to the meeting, the SPC members were requested to review the SPC Charter to evaluate whether the current version requires modification (e.g., to make the SPC Charter more reflective of the SPC's roles and responsibilities). ICANN organization circulated the current version of the SPC Charter (dated 7 March 2024) to the SPC members via email on 12 February 2026.

   ICANN org provided a summary of the scope of responsibilities of the SPC under the SPC Charter for the SPC's review. Following discussion, no modifications to the SPC Charter were proposed.

   Further, the Chair noted that, pursuant to the SPC Charter, the SPC is required to appoint a Chair Alternate. The Chair called for volunteers to serve as Chair Alternate for the SPC, and Greg DiBiase volunteered to assume this role.

   • Action Item:
     • ICANN org to note that Greg DiBiase has been appointed as Chair Alternate for the SPC.

3. Review of the SPC Workplan - The SPC workplan was reviewed, which sets out the SPC's scope of responsibilities and relevant timelines for performance of its work. ICANN org and the Chair will monitor the workplan on a regular basis, to ascertain whether it requires any further modifications to encapsulate the SPC's additional responsibilities. ICANN org noted that the focus of the SPC's work is on the oversight of the Five-Year Strategic Planning Process.

   ICANN org provided a summary of the status of activities for the SPC. In addition to the review of the SPC's role in the Five-Year Strategic Planning Process, ICANN org reviewed the two activities listed as "Other Duties" in the SPC workplan:

   • Oversight of the Planning Prioritization Process: ICANN org proposed that the oversight of the Prioritization Planning Process be moved out of the SPC workplan, as it more appropriately aligns with the scope of responsibilities of the Board Finance Committee (BFC), particularly in relation to the prioritization of work within the annual Operating Plan and Budget cycle.
   • Oversight of the "ICANN's Environmental Sustainability Strategy" Project: ICANN org informed the SPC that since this project falls within one of the 28 strategies in the Strategic Plan, it does not need to be listed under the SPC's "Other Duties".

   The SPC queried the level of integration between the SPC and the BFC regarding the non-financial aspects of the Strategic Plan and sought clarification on the BFC's role in overseeing these elements, given the importance of ensuring that ICANN's execution of the work to achieve the strategies are appropriately reflected in the Operating Plan.

   • Action Items:
     • Following the SPC's discussion and input in relation to the level of integration between the SPC and the BFC regarding the non-financial aspects of the Strategic Plan, ICANN org to further the discussion on this topic, including areas of overlap between the SPC and the BFC and options to address them.
     • Following the SPC's discussion and input on the SPC's workplan, ICANN org to remove the two items currently listed as "Other Duties" from the SPC's workplan.

4. Review of the SPC Action Items – ICANN org provided a summary of several action items arising out of the SPC's previous discussions:

   • Charter Responsibility – ICANN org was asked to develop a process for the ICANN Board committees to confirm that the strategic priorities identified are being addressed and monitored by the respective ICANN Board committees. ICANN org informed the SPC that it has prepared a mapping of the Strategic Objectives and Goals to the ICANN Board committees that have oversight of the relevant activities, if any. The next step is for ICANN org to review and for the SPC Chair to inform the chair of the other ICANN Board committees. Once completed, the SPC will provide an update to the Board Governance Committee (BGC).
   • Charter Responsibility – The SPC requested ICANN org to develop a process for the SPC to monitor the progress and achievement of the strategies in the FY26-30 Strategic Plan. ICANN org noted that it is currently working on a project to report out progress against the Strategic Plan using the Progress Indicators listed within the plan. The project is on track, and the first version of the reporting is due in September 2026.
   • Strategic Plan: Previously, there was a discussion among the ICANN Board to evaluate the usage of the term "Unique Identifiers" versus the "DNS" in the FY26-30 Strategic Plan and other places. The Chair asked ICANN org to evaluate the proper usage of the terms in each context they are used, and to be cognizant to not use "DNS" where we are more appropriately discussing broader unique identifier systems. ICANN org noted that the FY26-30 Strategic Plan was carefully drafted to use "Unique Identifier Systems" terminology, as appropriate. The SPC concluded its discussion on this topic and agreed that given ICANN's mission is broader than the DNS, the broader term should be employed, where appropriate.
     • Action Item:
       • Upon the conclusion of the SPC's discussion on the usage of the term "Internet Identifier Systems" versus the "DNS", the SPC agreed that Tripti Sinha, as Chair of the ICANN Board, to communicate with and provide guidance to the ICANN Board, given the sensitivity of the matter. ICANN org to also inform the ICANN President and CEO of the outcome of this discussion for awareness.

5. Overview of the Annual Strategy Review Program – ICANN org provided a brief overview of this topic.

   The Annual Strategy Review Program is one of the Strategic Initiatives in the Five-Year Operating Plan for FY26-30. The objective of the Annual Strategy Review program is to ensure that the Strategic Plan is on track and remains relevant and evaluates if any strategic adjustments are necessary. The program may also impact the annual Operating Plan and Budget process, if any strategic adjustments are necessary.

   The first year of this program (Year 1 of the Strategic Plan) will focus on piloting and validating the proposed scenario-and-issued-based planning methodology, ensuring that the intended outcome of the program is effective. The program encourages inclusive participation across the ICANN ecosystem and provides ICANN with the opportunity to exercise and demonstrate organizational agility. While the program enables identification or potential adjustments to the Strategic Plan, changes are unlikely as we are in the first year of the Strategic Plan. However, if significant or unforeseen developments arise that warrant adjustment, the process is designed to allow for such changes.

   ICANN org presented an overview of the next steps and timeline for the FY26-27 annual strategy review process:

   16-20 February 2026	The SPC Chair to publish a blog to kick off the program and encourage community participation during this process.
   24 February 2026	A session is scheduled for ICANN85 prep week to help community members to better understand and prepare for the upcoming community session at ICANN85.
   7 March 2026	Environmental scan session with the Board at ICANN85 Board Workshop.
   10 March 2026	Environmental scan session with the community at ICANN85.

   The SPC will continue its discussion on this topic.

The Chair called the meeting to a close.