Pre-2016 Press Releases 14 May 2012

Internet Society Launches Regional Office in Singapore

 

Supports the organisation’s expanding membership and initiatives in the region  

[Singapore – 14 May 2012] – The Internet Society today announced the formal opening of its regional office in Singapore, which will be headed by Rajnesh Singh, Regional Director for the Internet Society’s Asia-Pacific Bureau.  A global, mission-based organisation, the Internet Society is the leading advocate for the open development, evolution, and use of the Internet for everyone.

The Internet Society’s Regional Bureaus are vital conduits to connecting its Chapters, members, and staff, and are central to the success of the organisation’s mission to ensure the Internet continues to evolve as a platform for innovation, collaboration, creativity, and economic development.  The Singapore regional office and Asia-Pacific Bureau is focused on key initiatives, including enhancing Internet access and networks all across Asia-Pacific, driving Internet Protocol v6 (IPv6) adoption to support the transition from IPv4, encouraging participation in the Internet standards development process, and working with regional forums such as APEC TEL and the OECD on Internet-related policy matters, such as privacy, broadband access for rural communities, and the security and stability of Internet infrastructure.

Internet Society President and CEO Lynn St. Amour explained, “Our new office in Singapore reinforces our strong commitment to the Asia-Pacific region, the world’s largest and most dynamic Internet market. We have an active membership in Asia-Pacific of more than 16,000 members, and some of this region’s greatest innovators and leaders are our members.  Our expanded presence here will enable us to strengthen our engagement with regional partners and build stronger programmes in furtherance of our mission.”

“We work collaboratively with our Chapters, members, and regional community organizations to drive initiatives focused on the continuation of an open Internet, which is fundamental to innovation and business growth,” commented Singh.  “The Internet Society also empowers people and communities with capacity building initiatives in developing countries to build technical skills that enable better Internet networks, and in partnership with area organizations, projects that bring Internet connectivity to rural communities to enable holistic socio-economic development.

“The Internet Society joins the vibrant ecosystem of more than 135 international non-profits organisations (INPOs) making Singapore their home for the region and beyond,” commented Kelvin Wong, Executive Director of the International Organisations Programme Office (IOPO), a whole-of-government initiative located within the Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB). “Their leading work in international standard setting and in increasing iInternet access to communities in Asia further affirms Singapore’s proposition as a trusted, neutral, and connected base through which INPOs can further their social, economic, and development causes in a wide variety of fields. The Internet Society will also value-add to Singapore’s infocomm and media sector through working with infocomm companies to share best practices and co-create content with regards to iInternet architecture.”

The Internet Society has five regional bureaus – Africa and MENA, Asia-Pacific, Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean, and North America. These bureaus are instrumental in addressing Internet-related issues, mobilizing local support to impact global efforts, and developing policy, technology, membership, Chapter, and regional educational awareness.

Rajnesh Singh has been with the Internet Society since 2008 helping establish its Asian Regional Bureau, and has also played founding and leading roles in several technology and private equity investment firms. Prior to joining the Internet Society, he has been a consultant to numerous organisations in the region, including non-profit, development and private sector organisations. He has previously served as the Founding Chair of ICANN’s Asia-Pacific Regional At-Large Organisation (APRALO).

About the Internet Society
The Internet Society is the trusted independent source for Internet information and thought leadership from around the world. With its principled vision and substantial technological foundation, the Internet Society promotes open dialogue on Internet policy, technology, and future development among users, companies, governments, and other organizations. Working with its members and Chapters around the world, the Internet Society enables the continued evolution and growth of the Internet for everyone. For more information, see: http://www.internetsociety.org

Wende Cover, [email protected], +1-703-439-2773

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