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| Interactive breakouts and discussions among participants during GoCreate! Domain Innovations: Getting Hooked on Domains, 9 May 2025. |
| DotAsia launches GoCreate!
GoCreate! is a dynamic event series initiated by DotAsia and launched at the ICANN APAC DNS Forum 2025 in Hanoi. GoCreate! aims to stimulate innovation in the domain market space, by exploring new technologies and usage of domain names to drive the expansion of the global Domain Name System (DNS). |
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| L-R: Fred Hsu, CEO of D3, Le Hai Binh, President of MatBao, Jennifer Chung, VP of Policy for DotAsia, Pham Thu Ngan from NetMission, Edmon Chung, CEO of DotAsia, and Henry Tye, CEO of BigDomain Malaysia, facilitated the brainstorm for GoCreate! Domain Innovations, on 8 May 2025. |
| On 8 May, GoCreate! ”Domain Innovations: New Ways of Using Domains” brought together a panel of industry experts and participants region to explore new ways in which domain names, and the Domain Name System, are used technically and in the market—as potential drivers for the next round of New Generic Top-Level Domains (gTLDs). On 9 May, GoCreate! ”Domain Innovations: Getting Hooked on Domains” continued insightful discussions and organic collaborations to explore ways registries and registrars may be able to tap into this insight to get registrants hooked on to domains, and to grow their portfolio of domains under management (DUM).
The GoCreate! collaborative series will foster a deeper understanding and increased adoption of domain name assets within the digital landscape. The initiative underscores the strategic advantages for businesses in utilizing a meaningful portfolio of domain names, to enhance market reach, brand affiliation and resilience of digital systems. DotAsia plans to continue the series at other venues in Asia, including Ho Chi Minh City, Kathmandu, and Kuala Lumpur later in 2025, and in Mumbai early 2026. With its rising youth, infrastructure, and economy—Asia is the future of the DNS industry. If you’re in the community, collaborate with DotAsia and share your ideas for the GoCreate! series.
To learn more, please visit dot.asia/gocreate or contact pavan@dot.asia. |
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| We are incredibly excited to shine a spotlight on HungryApp, a fantastic .Asia user who is truly embodying the spirit of connection and opportunity with their platform, HungryApp.Asia. Headquartered in Bangkok, Thailand, HungryApp, developed by EFG Holdings, is a leading food delivery service making waves across Cambodia, Myanmar, and Laos. Their innovative approach allows users to mix and match items from multiple beloved international and local brands in a single order, a service that simplifies daily life and brings a diverse range of culinary delights to customers' doorsteps.
HungryApp's mission to deliver happiness through delicious food and efficient service resonates deeply with the core values of .Asia. By providing a seamless and convenient way for people to access a wide array of dining options, they are not only connecting individuals with their favorite flavors but also bridging culinary cultures across different countries. This kind of cross-border accessibility is precisely what makes the digital landscape so powerful for fostering understanding and facilitating exchanges.
The success of HungryApp.Asia demonstrates how a focused digital identity can unlock significant potential for businesses looking to grow organically within the vibrant Asian market and beyond. Platforms like HungryApp create new avenues for food businesses to reach a wider audience, expand their operations, and cultivate strong customer relationships, ultimately contributing to the economic growth and interconnectedness of the region. We are proud to have them as a part of the .Asia community, showcasing the endless possibilities that arise when we connect people and countries through innovation.
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| We are thrilled to welcome PS Internet Company, a prominent registrar from Kazakhstan, to the .Asia family! PS Internet brings a wealth of experience in domain registration and web services to our growing community. Their commitment to providing reliable and comprehensive solutions for individuals and businesses across Central Asia makes them an invaluable partner for anyone looking to establish a strong online presence in the region. We're particularly excited that PS Internet has joined us on our special promotion package, offering fantastic opportunities for their clients to embrace the power of a .Asia domain.
Our colleague Amina Meirasbek recently had the pleasure of visiting PS Internet's office in Almaty, where she was incredibly impressed by their dedicated team and state-of-the-art facilities. This visit reinforced our belief in PS Internet's professionalism and their strong customer-centric approach. We look forward to a successful and collaborative partnership, working together to expand the reach and impact of the .Asia domain throughout Kazakhstan and beyond.
With PS Internet Company now officially on board, we're excited to see how their expertise will help us continue to expand the reach of .Asia across the globe. This partnership is a testament to the growing recognition of .Asia as the premier digital identifier for individuals and businesses aiming to connect with the dynamic and diverse markets of Asia. We believe that by working with leading registrars like PS, we can further spread the value of establishing a digital footprint that truly reflects a connection to this vibrant region. |
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| | DotAsia Applicant Support Program (ASP) Mentorship |
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 Asia is experiencing the largest Internet growth globally—driven by rapid digital transformation, technological advancements, increasing digital infrastructure investments, and a large youth population now coming online.
DotAsia is a mentor in the Applicant Support Program (ASP), which is intended to make the New Generic Top-Level Domains (gTLD) Program: Next Round application and evaluation processes and fees more accessible to nonprofits and other entities that would like to operate a registry but would otherwise be unable to apply, because of financial and resource constraints.
Whether building a brand, spotlighting a geographic region or language on the world stage, uniting a cause, or launching a business to offer domain names under a new registry, a new gTLD can be a powerful tool for commerce and communication. As a mentor in the ASP, DotAsia will help provide organizations with a range of financial and non-financial assistance—including access to volunteer professional services, training, and reductions in gTLD evaluation fees.
To learn more, please visit tld.asia or contact asp@tld.asia.
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| Internet Governance Forum (IGF) and Internet Governance (IG) Update
The World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) +20 is the 20-year review of a two-phase UN process held in Geneva (2003) and Tunis (2005). While focused on development, the WSIS process formalised the framework for Internet governance, and created the Internet Governance Forum (IGF) as a non-binding multistakeholder discussion forum for Internet-related policy issues.
The primary concern held by many is the continuation of bottom-up multistakeholder participation in Internet governance and digital policy discussions, as well the renewal of the IGF mandate. The WSIS+20 is an opportunity to assess progress towards achieving the goals set during the first WSIS, reaffirmed during the ten year review in 2015, and decide on the future of the IGF. Various other coalitions (including a Technical Community Coalition on Multistakeholderism (TCCM)), informal stakeholder group and cross community efforts are also underway to substantially input into the WSIS+20 process.
The modalities resolution was adopted at the end of March and a WSIS+20 roadmap of key dates published in May. An “Elements Paper” was published on 20 June, on the eve of IGF 2025 and input is sought from the global multistakeholder community by 25 July. In July, during the start of the WSIS Forum the co-facilitators Kenya and Albania announced its WSIS+20 Informal Multistakeholder Sounding Board (IMSB), the eleven person sounding board selected from the IGF Multistakeholder Advisory Group and Leadership panel includes DotAsia’s Jennifer Chung as a representative from APAC Technical Community. The IMSB is tasked to serve as a channel for diverse multistakeholder perspectives and assist the co-facilitators to support an open, responsive, multistakeholder review of the WSIS outcomes. A “Zero Draft Outcome Document” is expected for late August. The WSIS+20 Review will culminate in a UN General Assembly decision in December 2025.
The 20th annual Internet Governance Forum (IGF) took place from 23-27 June 2025 in Lillestrom, Norway. IGF 2025 was hosted under the overarching theme Building Digital Governance Together around four sub-themes: Digital Trust and Resilience, Sustainable and Responsible Innovation, Universal Access and Digital Rights, and Digital Cooperation. With the IGF and the National, Regional Initiatives (NRIs) being asked to facilitate elements of the Global Digital Compact (GDC) implementation as well as the plans for the co-facilitators of the WSIS+20 Review to host stakeholder consultations during the meeting, IGF 2025 was an essential opportunity for stakeholders to give substantive input into WSIS+20 and build on future global digital governance together.
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The 16th edition of the Asia Pacific Regional Internet Governance Forum (APrIGF) is taking place this year from 11-14 October 2025 in Kathmandu, Nepal, anchoring the discussions around the theme “The Future of Multistakeholder Digital Governance in Asia Pacific”. The APrIGF 2025 will dive into key conversations around its five critical sub-themes; Security & Trust, Resilience, Innovation & Emerging Technologies, Sustainability, and Access & Inclusion. In July, the Forum welcomed submissions of Session Proposals to help shape the program agenda.
As a regional platform for collaboration, discussion, and knowledge exchange on Internet governance, APrIGF 2025 welcomes participants from all stakeholder groups, whether you’re from government, the private sector, civil society, academia, or the technical community—your voice matters in this shared digital future. Register for APrIGF 2025 now, for both onsite and online participants.
APrIGF 2025 also offers fellowship opportunities to bring diversity into the Internet Governance community by fostering participation of underrepresented communities in the discussions. Fellows will also have the opportunity to engage directly in the conversations to address digital issues and govern the digital space, network with peers from diverse Internet Governance fields, and contribute to the Synthesis Document - a significant output of the APrIGF. The Fellowship application for APrIGF 2025 was open from June to July 2025.
The Asia-Pacific Regional At-Large Organization (APRALO) and NetMission Update
Event Update: APAC Youth – WSIS+20 Webinar Series (July 2–3, 2025) The APAC Youth: WSIS+20 Webinar Series was successfully held on July 2–3, 2025, bringing together youth from across the Asia-Pacific for two days of virtual dialogue and collaboration. Participants explored key topics such as AI, cybersecurity, digital inclusion, and the future of work through interactive sessions, breakout discussions, and youth-led conversations.
A key outcome is the co-creation of the APAC Youth Statement, a living document that captures the collective priorities, concerns, and ideas of youth in the region. NetMission.Asia will continue engaging participants to refine and build on this statement in the lead-up to the Asia Pacific Youth IGF 2025 and other upcoming regional forums. We look forward to co-creating a strong and representative youth voice that informs policymaking at all levels.
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Asia Pacific Youth IGF – Registration Now Open!
The Asia Pacific Youth Internet Governance Forum (yIGF.Asia) will return this year as a one-day hybrid event on October 11, 2025 (Saturday), alongside APrIGF 2025 in Kathmandu. Continuing to serve as an open platform for young people aged 18–35 to engage in Internet governance discussions, this year’s forum will bring together youth leaders and regional experts to explore emerging digital issues on the topic of “Youth as Co-Governors: Empowering Youth for Digital Equity and Innovation”.
For registration or more updates, please go to https://yigf.asia.
2025 APRALO Regional Selections
The Asia-Pacific Regional At-Large Organization (APRALO) held elections between 14 April - 16 May 2025. For vice chair position, due to a tie-breaking vote, the election was re-run from Saturday, 24 May 2025 through Saturday, 31 May 2025. Newly elected ALAC Members and RALOs Leaders shall be seated at the end of the 2025 AGM following the close of the Board Meeting on 30 October 2025. NetMission is an APRALO At-Large Structure (ALS), which participated in the election. To see the full election results, please visit the APRALO 2025 Elections webpage. |
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| May 2025: Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month in the USA
Throughout its history, the United States has been strengthened by the contributions of citizens from every background, united in the shared pursuit of the American Dream. The United States officially recognizes Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month in May each year, celebrating the deep and enduring impact that Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders have had on the United States. Forged by hardship and trial, Asian American and Pacific Islanders have never wavered in their contributions toward the advancement of the common American destiny.
In May 2025, the American community yet again honored the proud legacy of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders and their contributions to the vast constellation of all of America’s national triumphs. During Asian Pacific American Heritage Month, communities celebrate the achievements and contributions of Asian and Pacific Americans with community festivals, government-sponsored activities and educational activities for students.
Immigrants are woven into the fabric of the American Republic, reminding the United States that the American spirit is one of resilience, independence, and relentless pursuit of freedom and opportunity. |
| Did You Know?
 30% of DotAsia domains are restaurants.
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| Chair’s report by Akinori San
As Chair of the DotAsia Board, I’m pleased to share this message with our members and broader community.
The first quarter of the year is always a busy time, with the board elections and the Annual General Meeting. In contrast, the second quarter tends to be calmer — a period where we quietly focus on our day-to-day responsibilities. One notable aspect of progress this quarter has been the preparation to support the next round of the New gTLD Program, scheduled by ICANN for the first quarter of 2026. Drawing on our expertise as a gTLD registry and experience from the 2012 round, DotAsia is working to help nonprofit projects in the Asia-Pacific region make use of the Applicant Support Program to launch new gTLDs. We believe it’s important to share our knowledge and contribute to the broader community in meaningful ways.
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| While the work of the Board may not always be visible, we continue to pursue key improvements and strategic discussions to strengthen the operations of the DotAsia Organisation. The minutes of meetings of the Board or Directors and its Committees are available on the DotAsia website, and we encourage you to take a look.
Connecting with our members and community in person is something we truly value. In May, DotAsia participated in the ICANN Contracted Party Summit and the APAC DNS Forum, which were held in Hanoi, Vietnam, as a Community Sponsor. There we launched a new initiative called GoCreate!, hosting brainstorming sessions to explore fresh and innovative ways to use domain names. The energetic conversations with community members were incredibly inspiring.
In June, we joined the 20th Internet Governance Forum in Lillestrøm, Norway — a major milestone for this global event. Alongside our staff and some of our Board members, NetMission Ambassadors took part and appeared in more than a dozen sessions. It was a proud moment to showcase dynamic and youthful voices from Asia on the global stage.
We look forward to seeing many of you at upcoming events, and continuing our work together to shape a vibrant and inclusive Internet community.
Akinori Maemura
DotAsia Board Chair |
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