Your elected leaders: Bikram Shrestha, Policy SIG Chair

The APNIC Elected Leaders series celebrates the journeys and contributions of individuals who have stepped up to serve in volunteer leadership roles, helping to advance Internet operations across the Asia Pacific region. Through their stories, we hope you'll gain insight into what motivates them, feel more connected to our community, and be inspired to get involved and help shape the future of the Internet.

Bikram Shrestha's path into the Internet community began early, and in conditions that would shape his long-term perspective. At 19, he co-founded an ISP in his hometown of Hetauda, Nepal, at a time when connectivity relied on Very Small Aperture Terminal (VSAT) and dial-up, while the idea of a globally connected society was still emerging. The experience placed him at the front line of infrastructure development, where limitations were immediate and tangible. He now serves as President of the Nepal Internet Foundation and APNIC Policy SIG Chair, continuing his work to expand participation and strengthen Internet development at both national and regional levels.

"Being part of the early development of Internet infrastructure and digital services in Nepal gave me a strong appreciation for how transformative connectivity can be."

What began as technical and operational work gradually expanded into broader engagement with the Internet community. Over time, his focus shifted towards the systems and processes that underpin how the Internet is governed - and how those processes can better serve developing economies.

A defining influence on that shift has been his participation in regional and global forums (such as Internet Governance Forums, the Internet Society (ISOC), ISOC Nepal, ICANN, and APNIC), where he has engaged with stakeholders across the technical, policy, and civil society spectrum.

"One key realization for me has been that Internet policy must reflect the realities of the diverse economies within our region."

Finding a role in the APNIC community

His engagement with APNIC began through hosting responsibilities at APRICOT 2018 in Nepal - an experience that provided an inside view of how the operational community works together across borders.

"It was an eye-opening experience… demonstrating how the technical community collaborates to manage Internet resources responsibly."

That initial exposure led to deeper involvement in Policy SIG discussions, where he saw the direct link between community input and the management of Internet number resources. Over time, he moved from participant to facilitator, becoming Co-Chair of the APNIC Cooperation SIG in February 2018. That experience, he says, clarified the responsibilities of leadership within the community.

"A SIG chair's responsibility is not only to advocate for particular outcomes, but to ensure discussions remain constructive and that every participant has the opportunity to contribute."

It also reinforced the importance of neutrality - creating space for diverse perspectives while guiding discussions towards consensus.

Why the Policy SIG matters

For readers less familiar with APNIC processes, Bikram emphasizes that the Policy SIG sits at the centre of how Internet number resources are managed in the region.

"The process is open, transparent and community-driven. Through collaboration and consensus, the community helps maintain a stable, secure and inclusive Internet."

His decision to stand for Chair at APNIC 60 reflects both a sense of responsibility and a recognition of the community's role in his own development.

"My motivation was simple - to give back to the community that has contributed so much to my professional and personal growth."

Expanding participation

A consistent theme in his work is expanding participation - particularly from underrepresented and developing economies. He points to a range of barriers that can limit engagement, including limited awareness of the Policy Development Process, language challenges, and resource constraints that make sustained participation difficult.

"Policy discussions can sometimes appear complex or intimidating to newcomers."

Addressing these challenges, he argues, requires deliberate effort - not only through formal programs such as fellowships and training, but through everyday community behaviour.

"By fostering an environment where questions and ideas are encouraged, we can make the policy development process easier and more accessible to everyone."

Advice for newcomers and future leaders

Bikram's own journey offers a practical example for those entering the community. Starting from hands-on operational work and being the first fellow from Nepal to ICANN 45, he emphasizes that long-term engagement and contribution are more important than where you begin, with experience naturally expanding into other areas, such as policy and governance, over time. Early exposure, even in supporting roles, can provide valuable insight into how the community collaborates.

He highlights that effective policy is inherently collective, shaped through contributions from across technical, policy, and civil society groups, and stresses the importance of making participation more approachable for those who may find discussions complex or intimidating. For those moving into leadership roles, the focus should be on enabling others - maintaining open, constructive dialogue and ensuring all participants have the opportunity to contribute.

Priorities for the term ahead

Looking ahead, Bikram expects the Policy SIG to continue engaging with a familiar set of issues, but in an evolving context. IPv6 adoption, stewardship of remaining IPv4 resources, routing security, and broader infrastructure developments will remain central, requiring policies that are both stable and adaptable.

"I am particularly focused on increasing engagement from developing economies and new community members, whose perspectives are vital to shaping fair and effective policies," he says. "Ultimately, my goal is to support a coordinated and collaborative environment where the APNIC community continues to work together."

Whether you're joining for the first time or are a long-time contributor, Bikram encourages everyone in the community to help shape Internet number resource policy. You can get involved by joining the Policy SIG mailing list to follow discussions and contribute to proposals or by participating in an upcoming APNIC event, in person or online.

Read the proposals, join the conversation, and make your voice heard.

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.