The APNIC Executive Council has officially released the Stage 1 findings from its ongoing community consultation initiative, marking a significant milestone in efforts to broaden and diversify leadership pipelines across the Asia-Pacific Internet community. The comprehensive report compiles insights gathered from a broad cross-section of stakeholders over several months, highlighting the barriers, challenges, and potential pathways toward a more inclusive future for community governance.
The consultation process was initially launched in June 2026 to systematically gather qualitative and quantitative data that could inform future initiatives supporting a more representative and robust leadership pipeline. Stage 1 of this consultative effort was conducted entirely online from June through August 2026, engaging a diverse array of voices through an open survey, dedicated mailing list discussions, and three open listening sessions hosted by the APNIC Secretariat.
Participation in this initial phase spanned 49 individuals hailing from 21 distinct economies throughout the region. This group brought together a wide variety of perspectives, including APNIC Members, representatives from National Internet Registries, members of various Network Operator Groups, and other active participants within the broader Internet community. Importantly, the consultation framed diversity in expansive terms, looking well beyond traditional metrics to encompass gender balance, geographic representation, professional background, technical expertise, and varied lived experiences.
Key Themes Emerging from Stage 1
As the data from the surveys and listening sessions was synthesized, three primary, overarching themes crystallized, pointing directly to structural and procedural hurdles within the current community ecosystem.
The first major theme centered around leadership pathways. Participants emphasized a pressing need for much clearer, more transparent information regarding what leadership roles actually entail. Members expressed that descriptions of responsibilities, the mechanics of election processes, expected skill sets, and the concrete opportunities available for individuals looking to step into community leadership were frequently opaque or difficult to navigate. Without clear guidance on how to get involved, many potential candidates reportedly feel hesitant or ill-equipped to take the first step.
The second theme addressed persistent election barriers. Contributors engaged in frank discussions regarding the distinct dynamics surrounding voting patterns, the natural advantages held by incumbent candidates, and the unique structural obstacles faced by prospective leaders hailing from less-represented economies. These barriers often create a steep uphill climb for fresh voices and diverse candidates who may lack established political networks within the region.
The third overarching theme focused on the vital considerations of time and personal support. Active community leadership is not a passive title; it requires a substantial, ongoing commitment of time and energy. Participants noted that successfully sustaining this level of involvement is frequently contingent upon robust professional, personal, and employer support. Without organizational backing or protected time, many qualified individuals simply find it impractical to shoulder the responsibilities of community governance.
In direct response to these findings, participants during Stage 1 put forward several constructive suggestions for future initiatives. Recommendations included developing clearer and more accessible candidate information packages, establishing stronger mentoring programs, creating structured leadership development frameworks, and drawing valuable lessons from the governance models and practices utilized by other prominent Internet ecosystem organizations such as ICANN, auDA, and NZNOG.
Share Your Views at APNIC 62
With the Stage 1 report now published, the consultative process is entering its next crucial phase. The Stage 2 consultation is scheduled to take place live at APNIC 62 in Mumbai, India, during a dedicated session slated for Wednesday, 9 September 2026, running from 18:00 to 19:00 UTC +5:30.
Organizers have strongly encouraged all attendees who are traveling to APNIC 62 to take part in the session in person, bringing their unique viewpoints, professional backgrounds, and personal experiences to the floor. For community members who are unable to travel to Mumbai, remote participation options will be made fully available, ensuring that geographic distance does not preclude anyone from contributing to this vital dialogue.
Looking Ahead to the Final Steps
On behalf of the APNIC Executive Council, leadership has extended its sincere appreciation to every individual who carved out time to contribute their insights during the listening sessions and complete the online survey.
Once the proceedings and discussions in Mumbai conclude, the APNIC Secretariat will synthesize the comprehensive findings gathered across both Stage 1 and Stage 2 into a definitive final report. Following this, the Executive Council will carefully review the consolidated results and deliberate on appropriate, actionable next steps to address the community’s feedback.
This final report is slated for formal release to the wider community following the conclusion of the Executive Council’s end-of-year meeting. Community members are encouraged to review the newly published Stage 1 report in full and to join the upcoming discussions as APNIC continues its work toward fostering a more inclusive, diverse, and representative leadership future.
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