APTLD87 Communique

The 87th APTLD Members Meeting took place from February 10 to 13, 2025, at the Novotel Century Hong Kong. Hosted by HKIRC, this landmark event brought together a diverse community of ccTLD representatives, industry experts, and stakeholders from across the Asia Pacific region, Africa, Europe and the Americas to address key challenges and opportunities in the domain name industry. The event attracted over 166 participants with 117 participants on sites and truly provided a platform for international exchange.

The meeting began with a dedicated day of training sessions on February 10, designed to strengthen the technical and operational expertise of participants. These sessions covered a range of topics, including DNSSEC best practices, crisis management through interactive tabletop exercises, and the implementation of ISO 27001 for information security governance. Delivered by leading experts such as Philip Paeps, Sophie Mitchell of auDA, Patrick Donaldson of Identity Digital, and the LK Domain Registry team, the sessions provided attendees with actionable insights and tools to enhance their operations and preparedness.

The sessions held on February 11 and 12 featured a lively and diverse agenda. Updates from partners and members highlighted notable achievements and advancements throughout the region, showcasing the collaborative and innovative essence of the APTLD community. With the participation of members, associate members, and collaborative partners, panels explored essential topics, including cloud migration strategies, the advantages and challenges associated with open-use ccTLDs, and the economics of premium domains and aftermarkets. Additionally, discussions tackled urgent matters, such as managing law enforcement information requests, staying ahead of emerging online threats, and strengthening security practices through a back-to-basics approach.

Participants benefited from insightful discussions on technical fraud prevention, eKYC compliance, collaborative learning, and effective strategies for responding to digital attacks. A thought-provoking session on ccTLDs and multistakeholderism provided a comprehensive overview of the evolving governance landscape, encouraging dialogue on the roles and responsibilities within the regional and global Internet ecosystem.

At the 2025 Annual General Meeting (AGM), members approved the Board Chair’s Report for 2024, the 2024 financial accounts, and the Auditor’s Report for 2024, while also welcoming both new and re-elected Board Members. Governance was a central theme of the meeting, providing a platform for members to assess essential reports, endorse financial accounts, and discuss strategic priorities for 2025. These discussions highlighted APTLD’s dedication to transparency, inclusivity, and the continued growth of the Asia Pacific domain name ecosystem.

The event concluded with a forward-looking session that set the stage for APTLD88, scheduled to take place in Belgrade, Serbia, in September 2025. It also highlighted the key priorities for the upcoming year. Additionally, the Board participated in a retreat and executive training aimed at strengthening leadership and governance within the organization, ensuring that APTLD continues to be a robust and effective advocate for its members

In addition to the rich array of sessions, the meeting featured vibrant social and networking events, including a pre-event Tram Party, the Members’ Gala Dinner, and the Networking Day, all graciously sponsored by HKIRC. These events offered participants the chance to deepen connections, exchange experiences, cultivate lasting friendships, and celebrate the achievements of the community together.

At the end of the meeting, the community gathered to say goodbye to Mr. Leonid Todorov, the outgoing General Manager. This moment highlighted the strong, lasting friendships within the community and provided an opportunity to reflect on the milestones APTLD has achieved over the past decade. Then welcomed Ms. Phavanhna Douangboupha as the new one.

APTLD extends its deepest gratitude to HKIRC for hosting, Brand Alliance LLC, CSC, ICANN, Nominet, KISA, DotUP, It.com and Tucows as the event sponsors, and all attendees for their invaluable contributions to the success of APTLD87. The meeting exemplified the power of collaboration, meaningful connections, knowledge sharing, and innovation within the Asia Pacific domain name community. As we look ahead, APTLD remains committed to empowering its members, fostering regional cooperation, and contributing to the resilience and evolution of the global Internet.