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June 2026

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NRO and ASO Mourn the Passing of Alan Barrett
by Ulka Athale 01 Jun '26

01 Jun '26

This message is sent on behalf of the Number Resource Organization. The announcement is available at: https://aso.icann.org/nro-and-aso-mourns-the-passing-of-alan-barrett/ -------------------- NRO and ASO Mourn the Passing of Alan Barrett On behalf of the NRO Executive Council and the NRO Number Council, we wish to express how deeply saddened we are by the passing of Alan Barrett on 28 May 2026 in Cape Town. Alan was someone who shaped the Internet not because it was his job, but because he genuinely believed in what it can do. He helped bring the first Internet connection to South African universities in 1990, co-founded the country’s first commercial ISP in 1993, and is credited with creating the .co.za zone. Long before many of us were thinking about Internet governance as a field, Alan was already doing the work. Alan was also central to the creation of AFRINIC. He co-authored the original proposal in 1997 and served on the steering committee that brought the organization into being. He later served on the AFRINIC Board, spent a decade on the NRO Number Council, and led AFRINIC as its CEO from 2015 to 2019. More recently, he represented the Address Supporting Organization on the ICANN Board — appointed in 2021 and again in 2024. Alan will be remembered not only for his technical expertise and leadership, but also for his generosity, integrity, and willingness to support the community whenever called upon. He was a trusted colleague, a thoughtful contributor, and a friend to many across the Internet community. We extend our deepest condolences to his wife Kerry, his family, and the many colleagues and friends who were fortunate enough to work alongside him. He will be missed. — Jia Rong Low, NRO EC Chair — Hervé Clément, NRO NC Chair -- Kind regards, Ulka Athale Community Development Manager RIPE NCC www.ripe.net

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In memoriam: Alan Barrett
by Remco van Mook 01 Jun '26

01 Jun '26

Shared on behalf of Kerry Barrett and the family Dear friends and colleagues, As some of you will already be aware, it is with immense sadness that we confirm, on behalf of his wife Kerry and the family, the passing of Alan Barrett. Alan died on May 28th in Cape Town, South Africa, following a diagnosis of late-stage cancer about a month ago. We are sharing this notice so that the community has accurate information at a moment when Kerry and the family need space to grieve. Alan was a friend, a willing listener, and someone who always stepped up to help when called upon. His contributions to the African Internet ecosystem were second to none, and with his passing we lose not only a friend but a giant of the industry. In 1990, Alan helped establish the very first Internet connection to South African universities, and in 1993 he co-founded the country's first commercial Internet Service Provider. In 1997 he co-authored the proposal to create AfriNIC and subsequently served on the steering committee tasked with bringing it into being. Alan served on the AfriNIC board from 2004 to 2009 and was a member of the NRO NC from 2004 to 2014. In 2015 he was appointed CEO of AfriNIC, a role he held until 2019. Beyond Africa, he was a central participant in the IANA Stewardship Transition Coordination Group, and until his death served on the ICANN board on behalf of the Address Supporting Organisation. Alan will be sorely missed by the community, his relatives and by his wife, Kerry. Kerry and the family ask for privacy at this time. We will be organising an online memorial in due course and will share details once they are available. Andrew Alston Remco van Mook

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