Meet the SIG leaders elected at APNIC 60

Voting during the SIG elections at APNIC 60.

Special Interest Groups (SIGs) are important focal points of the Internet community, providing an open public forum to discuss topics of interest to APNIC and the Internet community in the Asia Pacific region.

SIG Chairs and Co-Chairs perform a vital role in the effectiveness of a SIG by facilitating bottom-up discussions, making space for newcomers to contribute, and guiding SIG participants towards consensus decisions.

We'd like to extend our thanks and congratulations to the volunteers who were elected to serve from APNIC 60.

Bikram Shrestha - Policy SIG Chair

Bikram Shrestha, President of the Nepal Internet Foundation, has over 15 years of experience in Internet governance, policy development, and community engagement across APNIC, ICANN, and regional forums. He has been a consistent contributor to APNIC meetings since APNIC 45, actively participating in Policy SIG sessions and advocating for the interests of South Asia and developing economies. As Chair, he aims to strengthen inclusive policy discussions, enhance newcomer participation, and ensure diverse regional perspectives are reflected in Internet number resource management.

Shaila Sharmin - Policy SIG Co-Chair

Shaila Sharmin, Cyber Security Architect at Prime Bank PLC, brings over 14 years of experience across ISP, banking, and WiMAX sectors, with deep expertise in routing, switching, and security. A long-time APNIC contributor, she has served as Policy SIG Co-Chair, APNIC Community Trainer, and bdNOG Executive Committee member, and has actively supported initiatives like the APAC-ICT-Women mailing list. In her continued role, she aims to represent diverse voices, foster inclusive policy dialogue, and strengthen regional collaboration on Internet number resource policies.

Joy Chan - Cooperation SIG

Joy Chan, Deputy CEO of TWNIC, brings deep expertise in cybersecurity and Internet governance, with prior leadership roles at TWCERT/CC, Yahoo! Taiwan, and the Institute for Information Industry. She has actively contributed to APNIC through discussions on routing security, Internet jurisdiction, and sustainable development, fostering multistakeholder dialogue across the region. As Chair, she aims to strengthen cross-sector cooperation, promote open discussions on Internet governance, and engage younger generations to build a more resilient and inclusive Internet.

Oanh Nguyen - NIR SIG

Oanh Nguyen, Deputy Director at VNNIC, has over a decade of experience in IP resource management, IPv6 deployment, and Internet governance across the Asia Pacific. She has been a long-time contributor to the APNIC community, leading training initiatives in Viet Nam and Lao PDR, and supporting regional IPv6 adoption through ASEAN and TWNIC collaborations. In her continued role as Chair, she aims to foster innovation in the NIR SIG format, encourage active discussion, and strengthen cooperation among National Internet Registries.

Terry Sweetser - Routing Security SIG

Terry Sweetser, Principal Consultant at IEISI.ORG, has over 30 years of experience in telecommunications and Internet infrastructure, with a strong focus on RPKI, IPv6, and network automation. He has contributed extensively to APNIC through training, technical leadership, and committee service, including roles in SANOG, bdNOG, and PacNOG, and has represented APNIC at IETF and regional forums. As Chair, he is committed to tackling real-world barriers to RPKI deployment, promoting practical solutions, and strengthening routing security through outreach, capacity building, and community collaboration.

Thank you

Thanks to outgoing Policy SIG Chair Bertrand Cherrier for many years of dedicated service and leadership. Thanks also to Taiji Kimura for stepping into the role of acting Routing Security SIG Chair.

Congratulations to all of the leaders who stood for election at APNIC 60, and thank you for your willingness to contribute to an open, stable, and secure Internet that serves the entire Asia Pacific community.

The views expressed by the authors of this blog are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of APNIC. Please note a Code of Conduct applies to this blog.