Key Leadership Appointments Announced at APNIC 60

The APNIC 60 conference brought significant updates to the Asia Pacific Internet community with the announcement of new leadership positions for the Special Interest Groups (SIGs). These groups play a crucial role in fostering open discussions on key Internet governance issues, making strides in regional inclusivity, and enhancing collaboration among member countries. SIG Chairs and Co-Chairs are instrumental in these forums, as they ensure a bottom-up, open, and consensus-driven process of decision-making. The individuals elected represent a wealth of knowledge and dedication, ensuring that these objectives are met effectively.

Welcoming New SIG Leaders

Bikram Shrestha, President of the Nepal Internet Foundation, was elected as Chair of the Policy SIG. With over 15 years of experience in Internet governance and policy development, Bikram has been a consistent voice for South Asia and emerging economies in forums like APNIC and ICANN. His leadership vision focuses on strengthening inclusive policy discussions, encouraging the participation of newcomers, and ensuring diverse regional views are prioritized in Internet number resource management. His appointment is a step forward in addressing the dynamic needs of Internet governance across developing regions.

Equally impactful is Shaila Sharmin, a Cybersecurity Architect at Prime Bank PLC, who takes on the role of Policy SIG Co-Chair. With over 14 years of expertise in banking, ISP, and WiMAX sectors, Shaila has been an advocate for inclusive policy dialogue and regional Internet number policy collaboration. Beyond her Co-Chair role, Shaila has worked extensively to empower women in ICT, through initiatives like the APAC-ICT-Women mailing list. She is committed to amplifying diverse and underrepresented voices within the APNIC community.

Strengthening Regional Cooperation

In roles that highlight broader regional collaboration, Joy Chan of TWNIC and Oanh Nguyen of VNNIC take on pivotal Chairs in the Asia Pacific community. Joy Chan, an expert in cybersecurity and Internet governance, stands out with her dedication to fostering multi-stakeholder dialogues and mentoring younger generations. Under her leadership as Chair, the community will focus on areas like routing security and sustainable development. Meanwhile, Oanh Nguyen aims to bring innovation to the National Internet Registries (NIR) SIG, with a strong focus on IPv6 adoption and cross-border cooperation. Her leadership is expected to set a benchmark for innovation and coordination across member economies.

Terry Sweetser, with over three decades of experience in Internet infrastructure, also joins the leadership as Chair of Routing Security SIG. Known for his expertise in RPKI, IPv6, and network automation, Terry is committed to addressing real-world challenges in routing security through practical, community-driven solutions. His efforts in capacity building and fostering global collaboration ensure that critical Internet infrastructure remains secure.

Recognizing Service and Commitment

The APNIC 60 event also acknowledged the outgoing Policy SIG Chair, Bertrand Cherrier, for his years of dedicated service. Taiji Kimura was thanked for stepping in as acting Chair of the Routing Security SIG, exemplifying the spirit of volunteerism and leadership that defines the APNIC community.

With these appointments, the APNIC community reinforces its commitment to maintaining an open, stable, and secure Internet across the Asia Pacific. Congratulations to all the elected leaders, and gratitude to every participant committed to fostering collaboration and innovation within this critical space. The future of Internet governance in the Asia Pacific appears bright with such capable leaders at the helm.