[NCUC-DISCUSS] Candidate statement from Mohammad Atif Aleem for NCUC EC (APAC)

[Mohammad Atif]

Dear NCUC Community,

As we approach the election period, I am honored to accept my candidacy for
the NCUC Executive Committee (APAC). With six years of hands-on experience
in Internet governance and policy development, I am eager to contribute
towards strengthening NCUC’s role in ICANN’s multistakeholder
ecosystem—particularly in advancing non-commercial interests across the
Asia-Pacific region, where digital equity and policy engagement remain
critical priorities and require sustained advocacy.

Please find below my *candidate statement*:

Mohammad Atif Aleem, APAC Region, Male, Currently working in Information
Technology Consulting & Policy sector, Conflict: None that I am aware of

*My Engagement & Contributions:*

My journey in Internet governance began with formative experiences as
an Internet Society Youth IGF Fellow in 2019, Youth IGF India Fellow
(2019), and participant at both the India School of Internet Governance
(InSIG 2019) and ICANN's School of Internet Governance, Digital Policies
and Innovation (2021). These opportunities laid the foundation for my
subsequent work in the field of Internet Governance. Since joining ICANN’s
community as an individual observer in 2022, I have actively participated
in ICANN Meetings (beginning with ICANN 78 and onwards) and recently served
as an ICANN 82 Fellow in Seattle. Through these experiences, I have
collaborated with many of our community members to bridge grassroots
perspectives with governance processes. My contributions include:

   - Developing the anti-phishing course (ongoing) as part of ALAC
   Community Engagement Subcommittee (ACES) of ICANN
   - Engaging in key policy discussions, from new gTLD
   implementation to DNS abuse mitigation & IP Rights, and contributing to
   reviews of operating procedures, ways of working/meeting and policy forums
   in the space of ALAC, APRALO, EURALO, NCSG, and NCUC.
   - Participating in NCUC policy drafting groups to align regional needs
   with global ICANN priorities, especially in areas like privacy protections,
   accountability, and digital inclusion.

Beyond ICANN, my research on Digital Entrepreneurship in Vietnam’s Green
Tech Sector (published by HIIG here
<https://www.hiig.de/publication/digital-entrepreneurship-in-vietnams-green-tech-sector/>)
and advisory role as an SME on APAC’s digital economy for think tanks
reflect my commitment to evidence-based policy. I bring a unique blend
of technical expertise, policy acumen, and on-the-ground experience working
with underrepresented communities—skills vital for fostering transparency,
outreach, and capacity-building in NCUC.

*My Goals for the EC:*
If elected, I will prioritize:

   1. *Amplifying APAC Voices:* Ensuring regional perspectives are central
   to ICANN policy processes.
   2. *Enhancing Collaboration:* Working across NCSG/NCUC to address
   challenges like DNS abuse, inclusion, and governance.
   3. *Driving Transparency:* Providing regular updates and creating
   avenues for member feedback (e.g., starting through a monthly newsletter to
   highlight the group’s work).

As ICANN navigates complex issues—from the next round of gTLDs to
geopolitical impacts on Internet governance—NCUC must remain a proactive
and principled advocate. I am fully committed to dedicating time to EC
responsibilities, listening to community input, and ensuring our work
reflects the diversity of non-commercial stakeholders.I humbly ask for your
support to serve and contribute to NCUC’s mission. Together, we can build a
more equitable, inclusive, and resilient Internet.

Please feel free to reach out with any questions or ideas—I welcome your
feedback and look forward to collaborating further.

Best regards,
Mohammad Atif Aleem.
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