Multistakeholder Internet Governance Framework Persists Under UN Mandate

The United Nations General Assembly resolution adopted in Q4 2025 (Resolution A/RES/80/XXX) formally extended the existing multistakeholder governance framework for global internet operations. This regulatory action reaffirms the authority of regional internet registries (RIRs) including the Asia Pacific Network Information Centre (APNIC) to manage critical resources like IPv4 and IPv6 address allocation through open, bottom-up processes. As the RIR serving over four billion users across 56 economies, APNIC now faces specific compliance obligations under this international framework.

Regulatory Requirements

1. Stakeholder Participation Mandate: Organizations within APNIC's jurisdiction must actively engage in policy development processes per RFC 8890 (Internet Society, 2020). This includes:

   • Submitting policy proposals via APNIC's Policy Special Interest Groups (SIGs)
   • Participating in bi-annual Policy Development Process (PDP) meetings
   • Voting in Executive Council elections every three years (revised from two years effective February 2026)

2. Resource Management Compliance: All entities holding IPv4/IPv6 resources must:

   • Undergo biennial Resource Holdings Reviews (replacing audits) starting Q3 2026
   • Demonstrate need-based allocation per APNIC Policy Document APNIC-127v5
   • Submit utilization reports within 30 days of request

3. Governance Diversity Standards: Per UN resolution guidelines, RIRs must:

   • Ensure linguistic accessibility (translation services for non-English speakers)
   • Maintain gender diversity metrics in governance bodies
   • Publish annual transparency reports on decision-making processes

Compliance Timeline

• Immediate (2026): Members must complete updated registration forms acknowledging stakeholder (not customer) status by June 30, 2026. Non-compliant accounts face resource freeze.
• Medium-Term (2026-2027): APNIC will establish regional offices outside Australia (location TBA Q4 2026) to facilitate localized compliance support.
• Strategic Period (2028-2032): Mandatory participation in APNIC's five-year strategic planning cycle:
  • Policy SIG consultations open January 2028
  • Draft framework publication deadline: October 2028
  • Final implementation: January 2029

Enforcement Mechanisms

Failure to engage in policy development processes may trigger Resource Holding Reviews under Section 4.2 of APNIC Compliance Policy. Persistent non-participation results in:

• Progressive resource allocation restrictions (Stage 1: 50% reduction)
• Revocation of voting rights after 24 months
• Possible IPv4 address reclamation per Section 8.1

APNIC Director General Jia Rong Low confirmed these requirements align with the UN's emphasis on 'bottom-up' governance. 'Members must shift from transactional relationships to participatory engagement,' Low stated, referencing the binding nature of RFC 8890. The organization's 2026 Annual General Meeting validated this approach, with 89% approval for term-limit amendments enforcing maximum nine-year service periods for Executive Council members.

For compliance resources:

• APNIC Policy Development Process
• UN Resolution A/RES/80/XXX Text
• RFC 8890: The Internet is for End Users

Members should monitor APNIC's Compliance Portal for updated reporting templates and regional office locations by Q3 2026.