Introduction

On the sidelines of the Informatics Governance Forum, a panel discussion titled “Stakeholder Engagement in Discussions on the Future of the .LY National Domain” was held. This session served as a vital platform for consultation and openness to the diverse perspectives and proposals of parties involved in managing Libya’s Country Code Top-Level Domain (ccTLD). The session aimed to review current management policies, discuss challenges and opportunities, and explore governance mechanisms to ensure the domain effectively serves Libya’s digital and economic development.

The session saw participation from representatives of the General Authority for Communications and Informatics (GACI), Libya Telecom and Technology (LTT), Libya Spider, the Libyan Technology Foundation, the Internet Society (ISOC) – Libya Chapter, as well as experts and stakeholders from the public sector, private sector, and civil society.

Key Discussion Points

• Strategic Value: The importance of the .LY domain as a sovereign digital asset that serves as a revenue source and the digital gateway for the Libyan state, including a review of its history since 2005.
• Regulatory Transition: The role of the Authority in assuming management responsibilities (previously held by the General Post Company) and the necessity of updating management policies to align with international best practices.
• Current Challenges: Identifying obstacles such as weak societal awareness, the absence of a clear technical support entity, and jurisdictional overlap regarding the management of extensions like .gov.ly.
• Participant Proposals:
  • Establishing an annual official meeting for stakeholders to exchange experiences.
  • Developing current policies using a “bottom-up” multi-stakeholder model.
  • Mandating national institutions to use the national domain for their websites.
  • Forming a permanent advisory committee representing government, industry, and civil society.

Prominent Participants

• Government Sector: General Authority for Communications and Informatics (GACI).
• Private Sector: Libya Telecom and Technology (LTT), Libya Spider.
• Civil Society: Libyan Technology Foundation, Internet Society – Libya.

Workshop Pillars

Pillar I: Importance of the Forum

Participants praised the forum as a genuine platform for those involved in .LY management. It represents the first meeting of its kind to include all parties concerned with Libya’s ccTLD governance. This direct consultation aligns with the Authority’s policy that stakeholder engagement is essential for formulating public policies related to digital infrastructure and technical sovereignty.

Pillar II: History and Significance of .LY

The first domain name under .ly was registered on February 25, 2005—a milestone for Libyan digital sovereignty. Previously, international sanctions had hindered Libya’s direct management of its national domain. Management was eventually transferred to LTT, which handled internal and external operations. The .ly code is not just an electronic address; it is a sovereign digital asset with legal, economic, and strategic dimensions. Participants noted its massive economic potential, especially given the global demand for unique domain hacks (e.g., “bit.ly”), which enhances its value in the international market.

Pillar III: Current Status and Management

GACI is now the official body responsible for regulating and managing Libya’s ccTLD. While a management policy exists, participants emphasized the urgent need for a review to address technical shifts and operational challenges. LTT continues to play an executive and technical role, applying international best practices and facilitating registrations via Libya Spider, which acts as a technical and commercial intermediary for international users. The consensus was that future policies must be built on a participatory bottom-up model.

Recommendations

1. Annual Official Meeting: Convene all stakeholders yearly to discuss challenges and progress.
2. Bottom-Up Policy: Develop management policies through inclusive decision-making involving civil society and the private sector.
3. Awareness and Training: Intensify efforts to educate government, judicial, and academic bodies on the importance of the national domain.
4. Mandatory Usage: Recommend that all national, educational, and commercial institutions adopt the .LY extension for official sites.
5. Regulation and Oversight: Codify registrations to prioritize Libyans or residents and prevent the disorganized “squatting” or trading of domains.
6. Advisory Committee: Establish a representative body to act as a reference for recommendations and to monitor policy implementation.

Conclusion

The session concluded by affirming that the national domain is more than a technical service—it is a critical sovereign and economic element. There was a collective call to continue periodic dialogues to ensure the sustainable development of Libya’s internet sector and digital presence worldwide.