Asia-Pacific Internet Community Builds Resilience Through Collaboration in 2025
The Asia-Pacific Internet community made significant strides in 2025, advancing IPv6, routing security, and Internet governance through collaboration and technical skill-building, according to APNIC. The period between July and December saw alumni reconnections, intergenerational mentorship, and participatory governance processes reinforcing Internet infrastructure across the region.
Regional Collaboration Drives Capacity Building and Innovation
From Bangladesh to the Solomon Islands, APNIC alumni and community leaders hosted gatherings to support capacity building and knowledge sharing. Five alumni events fostered mentorship, enabling former fellows to pass on lived experience and expertise. These efforts are set to continue into 2026, with further alumni-led initiatives planned that aim to strengthen regional Internet resources.
Capacity development remained a primary focus in the second half of 2025, with APNIC Academy conducting extensive training sessions. Thousands of participants enhanced skills in IPv6 adoption, RPKI implementation, and interconnection through infrastructure projects. Real-world deployments, including new RIPE Atlas anchors and M-Root instances in Sri Lanka, New Zealand, and Kazakhstan, bolstered local and global network resilience.
Stakeholder Engagement Promotes Participatory Governance
Internet governance was another central theme, with APNIC facilitating community consultations for updates to the RIR Governance Document. Stakeholders, including operators, civil society, and governments, provided input that shaped proposed changes to APNIC’s Executive Council by-laws. These discussions, aimed at balancing innovation with accountability, will culminate in a community vote at APNIC 61 in Jakarta later this year.
The region also played a key role in global governance discussions, contributing to the WSIS+20 review process. APNIC amplified regional priorities like IPv6 deployment and sustainable Internet growth, emphasizing multistakeholder cooperation during UN consultations. Crucially, the community pushed for codifying a permanent Internet Governance Forum (IGF) and establishing inclusive participation frameworks.
Cybersecurity and Interconnection Initiatives Make Headway
The latter half of 2025 saw enhanced cybersecurity capacity through APNIC-facilitated boot camps and table-top exercises. Events in Tonga, Vanuatu, and Bhutan brought together operators, government agencies, and security professionals to address common threats and improve incident response capabilities.
Efforts to improve local interconnection also advanced. APNIC-supported initiatives such as the IXperience Roadshow in the Philippines and IXP upgrades in Vanuatu highlighted the value of scalable infrastructure. These projects included member portals, traffic visibility initiatives, and RPKI Route Origin Validation (ROV), ensuring more resilient local networks.
What This Means for the Asia-Pacific Region
These achievements reflect a region working together to tackle both infrastructural and governance challenges. As Internet interconnection and routing solutions scale, experts note that stronger frameworks for participatory governance and training will be essential for sustaining the region’s momentum. With APNIC’s leadership, the Asia-Pacific community is shaping the future of both local and global Internet resilience.
What lies ahead for 2026? Ongoing efforts to strengthen IPv6 and RPKI adoption, coupled with participatory discussions at APNIC 61, will likely define the Internet community’s roadmap for the coming year. Market watchers will observe whether these programs scale effectively across the region and perhaps serve as a blueprint for other emerging Internet economies.
