In October 2025, Kathmandu became a classroom for the Asia‑Pacific region.

From 7–10 October 2025, the Internet Society Nepal Chapter (Open Internet Nepal) proudly co‑hosted the Asia Pacific School on Internet Governance (APSIG) 2025, welcoming a diverse cohort of emerging Internet leaders from 20+ economies across the region.

Academics, civil society advocates, private‑sector professionals, technical community members, and youth fellows gathered in Nepal’s capital for four intensive days of learning, debate, and collaboration—all focused on one central question:

How can we govern the Internet in a way that is open, secure, inclusive, and people‑centred?

An Immersive Internet Governance Experience

APSIG 2025 was designed not as a traditional conference, but as a school—with a curriculum that blends theory, practice, and peer learning.

Participants engaged in:

• Interactive lectures and expert‑led panels
• Role plays and simulations of multistakeholder negotiations
• Collaborative group work and breakout discussions
• Training of Trainers (ToT) sessions to help fellows take IG knowledge back to their own communities

The result was an environment where fellows learned with and from each other, building both competence and confidence to contribute to Internet governance processes at national, regional, and global levels.

From AI to Platform Governance: What We Talked About

The program opened with an inaugural session featuring regional and global Internet leaders, setting the stage for four days of intense engagement.

Core topics included:

AI in Security and Society

• How AI is reshaping cybersecurity, surveillance, and public safety
• The balance between innovation, human rights, and accountability

Platform Governance

• Regulation of social media and large platforms
• Content moderation, transparency, and freedom of expression

Cybercrime and Disinformation

• Evolving cybercrime trends across Asia‑Pacific
• The rise of disinformation and misinformation, especially in the age of generative AI
• Cooperative approaches that protect rights while addressing harm

Data Sovereignty and Cross‑Border Flows

• National debates around data localization and sovereignty
• Implications for trade, privacy, and innovation

Digital Inclusion

• Bridging gender, disability, rural‑urban, and socio‑economic divides
• Community networks, digital literacy, and meaningful connectivity

Through panels, case studies, and role‑play exercises, fellows grappled with real‑world scenarios—negotiating positions, drafting recommendations, and understanding how different stakeholders perceive the same issue.

Flash Talks, ToT, and Proposal Labs

Beyond the main sessions, APSIG 2025 included several elements designed to elevate participants’ voices and skills:

• Flash Talks by Fellows – Short, high‑energy presentations where participants showcased projects, research, or local challenges from their own economies.
• Training of Trainers (ToT) Component – Practical sessions on how to design workshops, create learning materials, and facilitate discussions on Internet governance back home.
• Proposal Evaluations – Participants refined and presented project or session proposals, receiving feedback from faculty and peers to help turn ideas into concrete initiatives.

These components ensured that APSIG graduates leave not just with knowledge, but with tools and plans to continue the work in their own countries.

A Diverse Cohort from Across Asia‑Pacific

APSIG 2025 brought together fellows from more than 20 economies across the Asia‑Pacific region, reflecting a broad spectrum of:

• Cultural and linguistic backgrounds
• Professional experiences—academia, NGOs, tech companies, government agencies, and grassroots initiatives
• Policy priorities and national contexts

This diversity transformed every discussion into a regional conversation, where participants could compare challenges, share solutions, and identify opportunities for cross‑border collaboration.

Nepal’s Role in Regional Internet Governance

By co‑hosting APSIG 2025 in Kathmandu, the Internet Society Nepal Chapter:

• Helped anchor Nepal as an active hub in Asia‑Pacific Internet governance
• Connected local experts and institutions with regional networks
• Exposed Nepali participants to global debates on AI, cybersecurity, and digital rights
• Demonstrated the importance of multistakeholder, capacity‑building spaces for steering the future of the Internet

The school closed with certificates, reflections, and networking, but the real impact of APSIG 2025 will be seen in the months and years ahead—as fellows engage in national policy consultations, contribute to forums like APrIGF and the global IGF, and run their own trainings and initiatives.