Regional Internet Registry (RIR)

This article has been marked for deletion for not adhering to" ICANNWiki's content guidelines. Without substantial changes, it will eventually be removed by our content managers.

Regional Internet Registry (RIR) is a type of organization, established in the early 1990s, from multiple global regions. RIRs are responsible for the allocation and registration of Internet number resources (IP addresses and Autonomous System Numbers) within specific regions of the world. They operate within the global Internet governance framework coordinated by the Internet Assigned Numbers Authority (IANA) and ICANN, and they form the core of the Number Resource Organization (NRO).

Origin and Role[edit | edit source]

Regional Internet Registries emerged to decentralize the management of IP number resources, which were initially handled directly by the U.S.-based IANA. As the Internet expanded globally, the need for regional coordination led to the formation of the RIR system.

Each RIR manages, distributes, and registers Internet number resources within a specific service region. Their responsibilities include:

Allocating IP address blocks to Internet Service Providers (ISPs) and other organizations.

Assigning Autonomous System Numbers (ASNs) for routing.

Maintaining public databases (WHOIS) for resource registration and accountability.

Developing policies through bottom-up, community-driven processes.

Structure and Governance[edit | edit source]

There are currently five RIRs, each serving a specific geographical region:

AFRINIC – Africa

APNIC – Asia-Pacific

ARIN – Canada, the United States, and parts of the Caribbean

LACNIC – Latin America and portions of the Caribbean

RIPE NCC – Europe, the Middle East, and parts of Central Asia

Each RIR operates as a nonprofit organization with an independent board, open membership, and regional policy development forums. Their governance models reflect the multistakeholder principles promoted by ICANN and the wider Internet community.

Relationship with ICANN[edit | edit source]

RIRs operate under the global coordination of the Internet Assigned Numbers Authority (IANA), a function overseen by ICANN. IANA allocates large blocks of IP addresses and ASNs to RIRs, which then assign them to local entities according to regional policies.

To collectively represent their interests and coordinate efforts globally, the five RIRs created the Number Resource Organization (NRO) in 2003. The NRO works closely with ICANN, especially through the Address Supporting Organization (ASO), which advises the ICANN Board on number resource policy matters.

Relevance to Internet Governance[edit | edit source]

RIRs play a critical role in Internet Governance by ensuring that number resource distribution is transparent, equitable, and accountable. Their bottom-up policy development processes allow stakeholders—ranging from governments and ISPs to civil society—to participate in rule-making at the regional level.

Key Internet Governance functions of RIRs include:

Advocating for regional Internet policy needs within ICANN.

Promoting IPv6 adoption and resource sustainability.

Facilitating stakeholder participation through open meetings and working groups.