The 59th Asia Pacific Advanced Network (APAN59) International Conference took place from March 3–7, 2025, at Pacifico Yokohama, Japan, marking another milestone in the advancement of research and education networking. The event welcomed 320 in-person participants and 19 online attendees from 37 countries, reflecting APAN’s role as a vital platform for international collaboration in network technologies and cyberinfrastructure.
The conference offered a rich program of plenary sessions, workshops, and technical discussions. Opening remarks by APAN Chair Shinji Shimojo set the tone for a dynamic week, with keynote addresses by Leila Dekkar (AfricaConnect3, GEANT), Kim Waldgrave (INSPERA), and Keiko Okawa (SOI-Asia). One of the highlights was the signing of Memorandum of Understanding (MoU’s) between SOI-Asia, ASREN, and the Hydro Informatics Institute of Thailand with APAN, reinforcing cross-regional partnerships. The program also featured the inaugural workshop by AP-GAINED (Asia Pacific – Generative AI Integration for NREN Enhancement and Development) and a joint session with SOI-Asia. Industry participation was strong, with sponsor-led sessions and talks by leaders from NTT Communications, KDDI, Fortinet, Juniper Networks, Nokia, SoftBank, JPIX, NTT Labs, and JPRS, alongside exhibitions showcasing networking innovations.
Technical infrastructure at the venue was robust, supported by a new 100G access line from SINET and multiple 10G lines across conference halls. This ensured seamless connectivity and effective hybrid participation, managed smoothly by the local organising committee despite weather-related challenges. APAN59 was made possible through the generous support of sponsors, including six Gold Sponsors, three Silver Sponsors, one Special Sponsor, two Bronze Sponsors, and two Network System Supporters.The conference concluded with a strong sense of momentum. APAN59 not only fostered meaningful exchanges across borders but also reaffirmed the critical role of collaborative networks in advancing global research and education.
APAN60, held in Hong Kong from July 28th to August 1st, 2025, witnessed over 30 sessions with more than 200 participants. The event was supported by 18 APAN Fellows from 14 economies, who diligently assisted with the technicalities of the meeting. These efforts ensured that APAN60 would be remembered by its participants for years to come. The event was well-supported by numerous sponsors, including Intel, Lenovo, Microsoft, Huawei, and more, contributing to its success. Additionally, APAN60 continued the APAN Conference with the theme “AI and HPC: Powering the Next Frontier.” The conference proceedings will be published on Springer, and the LEARN team deserves commendation for maintaining high standards of the conference.
