MUMBAI — The Asia-Pacific Network Information Centre (APNIC) officially opened its doors for its 62nd regional conference in Mumbai, India, welcoming a diverse assembly of network engineers, cybersecurity experts, policy makers, and internet governance leaders from across the region and around the globe.
The premier event is made possible through the collaboration and support of key regional organizations. APNIC extended a formal welcome to attendees, expressing gratitude to the local host, the National Internet Exchange of India (NIXI), alongside the co-host, the Internet Service Providers Association of India (ISPAI). A wide array of corporate and institutional sponsors have also lent their backing to ensure the success of the multi-day conference, which serves as a vital nexus for technical exchange, operational training, and collaborative policy-making regarding the future of the internet.
Program Highlights and Technical Sessions
The comprehensive conference program features a rich variety of specialized sessions tailored to the evolving needs of the internet infrastructure community. Attendees can participate in three core technical sessions, two joint FIRST and APNIC security sessions, and a dedicated session focused on IPv6 deployment strategies.
In addition to technical operations, the agenda addresses broader community development, featuring a Community Consultation on Increasing Diversity in Community Leadership. Two Birds of a Feather (BoF) sessions provide open forums for emerging topics, while the Special Interest Groups (SIGs) hold formal meetings to deliberate on technical and administrative matters. For participants looking to deepen their technical expertise, specialized tutorials are scheduled on critical infrastructure topics, including KINDNS and DNSSEC, as well as Suricata for ISP and IXP threat detection.
The official Opening Ceremony set a forward-looking tone for the week, featuring high-profile keynote addresses from prominent industry leaders. Amajit Gupta, Group CEO and Managing Director of Lightstorm, delivered an address on "The autonomous grid: Driving zero-touch network operations with smart networks," highlighting the growing necessity of automation in modern infrastructure management. Following him, Yukako Uchida, Manager of the Global Coordination Division at JPCERT/CC and a FIRST Board member, presented a keynote titled "Trust as infrastructure: The human side of cybersecurity," emphasizing that human collaboration and trust remain foundational to global network defense.
Growing Your Professional Network
Beyond the technical presentations, APNIC 62 offers numerous structured and informal opportunities for attendees to expand their professional networks. Networking events are anchored by the Opening Social, the Meet the EC (Executive Council) social, and the Closing Social, complemented by ongoing opportunities to connect with industry peers throughout the venue.
To facilitate real-time communication and logistical coordination, organizers have established an official APNIC 62 WhatsApp channel, providing participants with instant updates on schedule changes, room allocations, and daily announcements. For social media engagement, attendees have been encouraged to use the dedicated hashtag #APNIC62, supported by a specialized social media toolkit designed to help delegates share their experiences online.
First-time conference attendees and early-career professionals are also catered to through dedicated sessions. The Newcomers Welcome and the NextGen BoF titled "Plot your path" are designed to help newcomers navigate the vast landscape of internet governance and technical community building, ensuring that the next generation of leaders can find clear avenues for professional growth.
Cast Your Vote in the NRO NC Elections
A critical administrative component of the conference is the ongoing election cycle. Online voting for the Number Resource Organization Number Council (NRO NC) is underway, with the ballot closing on Thursday, 10 September 2026. Participation in the election is open to both eligible APNIC Members and registered APNIC 62 conference attendees who satisfy the established voting criteria, giving the community a direct voice in regional resource governance representation.
Participate in the Open Policy Meeting
A cornerstone of the APNIC conference schedule is the Open Policy Meeting (OPM), set to take place on 10 September 2026. The upcoming session features seven distinct policy proposals up for discussion, covering various aspects of internet number resource management and operational policy.
Community members who wish to contribute to these discussions can participate directly in person or remotely during the APNIC 62 Policy SIG forum, or engage with the proposals beforehand by subscribing to the Policy SIG mailing list. This open, bottom-up policy development process remains a hallmark of how internet resource policies are shaped within the APNIC region.
APNIC Services and Support
For attendees requiring direct assistance with administrative tasks, the APNIC Lounge serves as a dedicated hub throughout the event. Delegates needing help managing their internet number resources or APNIC accounts can visit the lounge to speak one-on-one with staff members or schedule a confidential discussion with an APNIC Services team member.
Organizers have reminded all participants to arrive early during the opening days to collect their registration badges and avoid delays. Staff members are stationed throughout the venue to assist with any logistical inquiries or issues that may arise. As the conference progresses, APNIC 62 continues to stand as a vital collaborative space for strengthening the resilience, security, and openness of the internet infrastructure across the Asia-Pacific region.
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