# Governance, identifiers, and standards

| Entity | Scope | Primary role | Official entry point |
|---|---|---|---|
| ICANN | Global | Multistakeholder coordination and policy around unique identifiers | [icann.org](https://www.icann.org/) |
| IANA | Global | DNS root-zone, number-resource, and protocol-parameter registries | [iana.org](https://www.iana.org/) |
| IETF | Global | Open Internet protocol standards and RFCs | [ietf.org](https://www.ietf.org/) · [Datatracker](https://datatracker.ietf.org/) |
| Internet Society | Global | Internet policy, community, technical, and chapter network | [internetsociety.org](https://www.internetsociety.org/) |
| ITU | Global | UN telecommunications/ICT coordination and standards activities | [itu.int](https://www.itu.int/) |
| W3C | Global | Open standards for the Web platform | [w3.org](https://www.w3.org/) |
| NRO | Global | Joint coordination of the five RIRs | [nro.net](https://www.nro.net/) |

## Interpretation

These organizations overlap but are not one hierarchy. IETF develops Internet protocol standards; IANA maintains designated registries; ICANN hosts identifier-related multistakeholder policy processes; RIRs administer number resources regionally; ITU is intergovernmental; and W3C focuses on the Web platform.