APAC DNS Forum 2023

Reimagining the Internet: Digital Transformation that Matters

Overview

The Asia Pacific Domain Name System Forum (APAC DNS Forum) 2023, took place from 4 to 5 July 2023 at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre in Hong Kong. It gathered regional DNS industry experts and members of the wider community to discuss the latest developments, opportunities, and challenges in the domain name marketplace.

Jointly organized by ICANN and the Hong Kong Internet Registration Corporation (HKIRC), the APAC DNS Forum 2023 featured a multitude of topics discussing the role of the DNS from various perspectives. In addition to the technical topics such as cybersecurity and emerging technologies, the sessions also covered industry trends and business opportunities such as spurring online business growth and digital brand protection to broader topics like the potential impacts of regulatory, policy, and technological developments on the DNS industry.

The APAC DNS Forum 2023 served as a platform for participants to network, exchange ideas, and explore collaboration opportunities. Held as a hybrid event, participants attended the Forum either in person or remotely online.

If you missed any sessions or would like to revisit any of the Forum discussions, we have made the video playback available on our YouTube channel.

Programme Schedule

(Updated as of 3 Jul 2023)

Day 1 Programme, 4 July 2023 (Tuesday), UTC+8

09:30-09:45
Opening Remarks

Opening Remarks

Meeting Room N101, Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre
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Speakers

Mr Simon CHAN, BBS, JP

Mr Simon CHAN, BBS, JP

Chairman, Hong Kong Internet Registration Corporation Limited (HKIRC)

Mr Jia-Rong LOW

Mr Jia-Rong LOW

Vice President, Global Stakeholder Engagement, Asia and Managing Director, Asia Pacific, ICANN

Professor SUN Dong, JP

Professor SUN Dong, JP

Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry

09:45-10:00
Group Photo

10:00-10:15
HKIRC-Teleinfo Strategic Signing Ceremony

10:15-10:45
Keynote Speech by Mr John CRAIN  

Keynote Speech by Mr John CRAIN  

Meeting Room N101, Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre
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Speaker

Mr John CRAIN

Mr John CRAIN

Senior Vice President and Chief Technology Officer, ICANN

10:45-11:15
Keynote Speech by Professor LI Xing

Keynote Speech by Professor LI Xing

Meeting Room N101, Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre
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Speaker

Professor LI Xing

Professor LI Xing

Professor, Electronic Engineering Department, Tsinghua University

11:15-12:00
Panel Discussion
Powering the Future of Digital Economy: Challenges and Opportunities in the Future of Big Data Applications

Panel Discussion: Powering the Future of Digital Economy: Challenges and Opportunities in the Future of Big Data Applications

Meeting Room N101, Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre
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Sypnosis

Big data has become a crucial business element in many industries, and its potential for driving innovation and growth is widely recognized. With the increasing amount of data being generated, it is essential to harness its power to gain insights and make informed decisions. This session to understand how big data is currently being used and its potential applications in various industries and explore the challenges that industries face in implementing big data solutions. We will interview industry experts to gain insights into their vision of how big data will shape their industry in the next 3-5 years.

Moderator

 Ir Allen Tak Bun YEUNG, JP

Ir Allen Tak Bun YEUNG, JP

Founder and CEO, Intelli Global Corporation Limited

Panelists

Mr Samuel HO

Mr Samuel HO

CEO, Nova Credit Limited

Mr Horace TANG

Mr Horace TANG

Head of Data, UMP Healthcare Group

Ms Selina LAU

Ms Selina LAU

Chief Executive, The Hong Kong Federation of Insurers

Mr Henry MA

Mr Henry MA

Executive Vice President, Chief Information Officer, WeBank

12:00-14:00
Lunch break

14:00-15:00
Panel Discussion

Enhancing the Digital Infrastructure to Boosting Business Competitiveness

14:00-15:00
Panel Discussion

Mitigating DNS Abuse — Enhancing Cybersecurity at the DNS Level

15:00-15:30
Tea break / Networking

15:30-16:00
Topic

Government’s Role in Supporting the Digital Economy

16:00-17:00
Panel Discussion

Digital Transformation for Industries in the Digital Era

15:30-17:00
Panel Discussion

The Next DNS Expansion: Exploring Opportunities in APAC

17:00
End of Day 1

Day 2 Programme, 5 July 2023 (Wednesday), UTC+8

09:00-10:30
Plenary 1

Emerging Tech – Is There Still a Market for the DNS?

Plenary 1: Emerging Tech – Is There Still a Market for the DNS?

Meeting Room N101, Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre
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Synopsis

The Domain Name System (DNS) is the unifying ‘glue’ that holds the Internet together. However, with the attention on emerging technologies like Quantum Computing, Artificial Intelligence (ChatGPT), Blockchain; and focus on Mobile-first and App Economy, is the DNS still ‘relevant’ and are there still opportunities in this industry?

Moderator

Mr Chaoyi LU

Mr Chaoyi LU

PhD Researcher, Network and Information Security Lab (NISL), Tsinghua University

Speakers

Mr John CRAIN

Mr John CRAIN

Senior Vice President and Chief Technology Officer

Mr WANG Wei

Mr WANG Wei

Research Fellow & Doctoral Advisor, Chinese Academy of Sciences

Mr Baojun LIU

Mr Baojun LIU

Assistant Professor, Institute for Network Science and Cyberspace, Tsinghua University

Mr Carel BITTER

Mr Carel BITTER

Head of data, Spamhaus

10:30-11:00
Tea break / Networking

11:00-12:30
Plenary 2

DNS Industry Outlook

Plenary 2: DNS Industry Outlook

Meeting Room N101, Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre
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Synopsis

The DNS industry is typically defined by domain name registrations. Is this really the only defining metric for the industry’s success, or are there other areas that we should look into?

Moderator

Ir Wilson WONG

Ir Wilson WONG

CEO, Hong Kong Internet Registration Corporation Limited (HKIRC)

Speakers

Mr Anil JAIN

Mr Anil JAIN

CEO and Director, National Internet Exchange of India (NIXI)

Mr Hiro HOTTA

Mr Hiro HOTTA

Board Member & Senior Executive Vice President, JPRS

Ms Sophia FENG

Ms Sophia FENG

Deputy General Manager of Internet Domain Name System Beijing Engineering Research Center LLC (ZDNS)

Mr SUN Zhao

Mr SUN Zhao

Head of the Registry Business Department, CNNIC

12:30-13:30
Lunch Break

13:30-14:00
Topic

Crisis Management in the Digital Economy: Dealing with Cyber Threats

Topic: Crisis Management in the Digital Economy: Dealing with Cyber Threats

Meeting Room N101, Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre
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Synopsis

Cyber threats are an omnipresent danger to businesses. Effective crisis management is critical to mitigate the impact of cyber attacks and prevent further damage, and its preparation sometimes goes beyond cyber incident response to address the entire crisis. A comprehensive plan allows business leaders to recognize, prepare for, respond to, and recover from the threat of a crisis.

Speaker

Mr Moritz WENZ

Mr Moritz WENZ

Head of Engineering for SSE & ZeroTrust, Cisco EMEA

14:00-14:30
Topic
Unlocking the Digital Economy Transformation: Is Your Cybersecurity Framework Robust Enough to Safeguard Your Future Success?

14:00-14:30
Readout of Pre-Event Webinars

14:30-15:00
Tea Break / Networking

15:00-15:30
Topic

Defending Against Cyber Attacks: A fast action of Incident Response Strategies and Tactics

15:30-16:00
Panel Discussion

Why Care about Dangling Domain Hijacking, and how to Prevent the Threat?

15:00-16:00
Panel Discussion

The next phase of digital transformation: A Multilingual Internet

16:00-17:00
Panel Discussion

Sensitive Data Security in the Digital Economy

16:45-18:00
Panel Discussion
Digital Transformation in Emerging Asia – Opportunities and Challenges

18:00
End of Day 2

Speaker(s)

Sponsors

Gold Sponsors
Silver Sponsors

Supporting Organisations

Sponsorship Packages

If you are interested to be a sponsor for the APAC DNS Forum, please contact us at marketing_g@hkirc.hk for more information on the sponsorship categories and benefits.

Information

Visa & Travel
Health & Safety
Venue & Hotels
FAQ

Latest travel requirements for Hong Kong (about the testing arrangement and mask policy)

HEALTH AND SAFETY EVENT MEASURES

ICANN org will continue to monitor governmental and public health guidelines closely, including all updates from the World Health Organization (WHO), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the regional governments of this event location. We are also working closely with the local government officials, and our hotel and venue partners supporting the event.
ICANN org is committed to providing as safe a space as possible for in-person attendees. Because of this, ICANN will require attendees to adhere to higher health and safety standards than may be required by local regulations. The following is a general overview of what to expect on-site during the meeting.
ICANN org will implement a comprehensive plan to ensure a safe and productive meeting, which includes:

  • All attendees will be required to attest (while registering to attend) that on/before the first day of the event, they will be fully vaccinated and up to date against COVID-19, which, in most cases, includes booster shot(s).
  • Mask wearing while indoors is strongly recommended.
  • Contact tracing measures.
  • Enhanced venue cleaning and contact safety measures.
  • Enhanced food service handling and safety for catered services.
  • Attendee acknowledgement to agree to the outlined health and safety measures.

More details on health and safety measures are outlined below and will be updated as information becomes available and are subject to change as required or advised.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Do I need a vaccine against COVID-19 to attend this event?

Yes. All in-person attendees, regardless of age, are required to be fully vaccinated and up to date against COVID-19 which, in most cases, includes booster shot(s). 

An attendee is considered fully vaccinated 14 days after the second dose of a two-dose vaccine (e.g., Pfizer or Moderna) or 14 days after a single-dose vaccine (e.g., Johnson & Johnson). Remaining up to date on vaccinations after the primary series means receipt of available boosters or additional doses taken at recommended intervals. Mixed vaccines will also be accepted (e.g., one dose of Moderna and one dose of Pfizer). 

Instead of being required to visually show proof of vaccination during badge pickup, all in-person participants will be required to attest/declare (at the time of registration) that they will be in compliance with the vaccination requirements outlined above on/before the first day of the event. 

Which vaccines are accepted to enter the event venue?

ICANN will accept WHO-approved vaccines. The list of accepted COVID-19 vaccines (as of 01 March 2023) is as follows: 

  • Johnson & Johnson/Janssen (Jcovden)
  • Moderna (Spikevax)
  • Novavax (Nuvaxovid)
  • Oxford/AstraZeneca (Vaxzevria)
  • Pfizer-BioNTech (Comirnaty)
  • Sinopharm (Covilo)
  • Sinovac (Coronavac)
  • CanSino (Convidecia)
  • Bharat Biotech (Covaxin)
  • Serum Institute of India, Oxford/AstraZeneca formulation (Covishield)
  • Serum Institute of India, Novavax formulation (Covovax)

A mix of two of the above vaccines (e.g., one dose of Moderna and one dose of Pfizer vaccines) will also be accepted.

How will my COVID-19 fully vaccinated status be verified by ICANN?

Instead of being required to visually show proof of vaccination during badge pickup, all in-person participants will be required to attest (at the time of registration) that they will be in compliance with the vaccination requirements outlined above on/before the first day of the event. 

All in-person attendees, regardless of age, are required to be fully vaccinated and up-to-date against COVID-19 which, in most cases, includes booster shot(s). 

An attendee is considered fully vaccinated 14 days after the second dose of a two-dose vaccine (e.g., Pfizer or Moderna) or 14 days after a single-dose vaccine (e.g., Johnson & Johnson). Remaining up to date on vaccinations after the primary series means receipt of available boosters or additional doses taken at recommended intervals. Mixed vaccines will also be accepted (e.g., one dose of Moderna and one dose of Pfizer). 

Note: Proof of a negative COVID-19 test, proof of antibodies, or proof of recovery from COVID-19 will not be accepted as a substitute for attesting that you are up-to-date with vaccination against COVID-19.

Can I attend this event with proof of a negative COVID-19 test or proof of COVID-19 antibodies?

No. Proof of a negative COVID-19 test, proof of antibodies, or proof of recovery from COVID-19 will not be accepted as a substitute for attesting that you are up-to-date with vaccination against COVID-19. 

Current guidance states that requiring all attendees be up to date with COVID-19 vaccinations is an effective way of reducing the risk of transmission among large groups. Studies of those who have received a full vaccination course, including booster shots, demonstrate that the risk of carrying and transmitting the disease is vastly reduced.

Will exceptions to your COVID-19 vaccine requirement be accepted?

No. We are unable to make exceptions to the requirement that attendees be fully vaccinated and up to date against COVID-19. All event delegates make their decision to attend based in part on an expectation that all who attend are held to the same health and safety requirements. Holding everyone to the same standard is an important part of ICANN’s commitment to its attendees. ICANN is committed to providing the best possible hybrid meeting with a continued focus on ensuring an equal and engaging experience for the virtual participants for this event.

Will I be able to register onsite?

Yes, there will be onsite registration facilities at the event venue.

Will I have to wear a mask during this event?

Mask wearing is a personal decision, but in order to protect all our attendees, ICANN org recommends wearing a mask in all indoor public areas and meeting rooms.

However, ICANN reserves the right to shift this policy back to masks being required if the situation prior to the meeting or during the meeting deems it necessary to curb an outbreak or reduce the overall risk to delegates.

If I test positive for COVID-19 at this event, what should I do?

Anyone testing positive for COVID-19 is expected to not enter the venue or meeting space. 

Event attendees should confirm whether self-isolation is an available option with their hotel. ICANN encourages anyone who tests positive for COVID-19 during this event to make outreach to those with whom they may have been in close proximity prior to testing positive. Anyone testing positive with COVID-19 is expected to not enter the event venue. If you are feeling unwell or have illness-related symptoms, please participate virtually from your hotel room or home.

Am I responsible for my own costs and expenses if I contract COVID-19 surrounding my attendance at this event?

While electing to attend a meeting in person has always been a personal risk assessment and choice, returning to travel and meetings in the COVID-19 landscape make these personal risk assessments even more important, including acceptance of personal responsibility for taking those risks. ICANN’s health and safety measures ask all attendees to observe precautions intended to reduce the possibility of spread of COVID-19.

Will ICANN use my registration data for contact tracing purposes?

ICANN will conduct entrance scans of all attendee badges upon entry to the meeting room, or for small events, document who is in-person. The primary purpose is to enable email notifications to attendees of potential exposure to a confirmed positive COVID-19 case.

How will ICANN be collecting my data for contact tracing purposes?

Contact tracing will be implemented with digital badge scanners when entering the meeting space. A staff member will quickly scan a QR code printed on all attendee badges upon entry to the meeting space. For small events, ICANN will document who is in-person. 

The printed badge QR code does not contain any personally identifiable information, and is a random generated identifier (ID) for each attendee. This ID can only be linked by ICANN org to a registration record for a COVID-19 notification report, which will allow ICANN to notify all on-site participants of potential exposures to COVID-19. Badge scanning upon entry is mandatory for all in-person attendees. Contact tracing will not be conducted for virtual participants.

How will ICANN org use my information that it collects in connection with this event?

We will use your data in accordance with our Privacy Policy and as explained in this FAQ. 

This page may contain information from third-party websites that are not under the control of ICANN. Sources include both private and government websites. Any information included on this page that is not directly related to ICANN or its operations is for informational purposes only and has not been verified or reviewed by the ICANN organization. 

Venue Information

Hotel name
Walkable distance to HKCEC (venue)
Hotel Description & Website
Grand Hyatt Hong Kong
1 Harbour Rd, Wan Chai
Walkable distance to HKCEC: 1 min by walking (Nearby to HKCEC)
Situated on Hong Kong Island facing the world-famous Victoria Harbour, Grand Hyatt Hong Kong redefines hotel luxury and offers facilities and amenities to meet your every need.

https://www.hyatt.com/en-US/hotel/china/grand-hyatt-hong-kong/hkggh

The Harbourview
4 Harbour Rd, Wan Chai
Walkable distance to HKCEC: 2 min by walking
Just steps from Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre and near celebrated shopping and sightseeing spots, The Harbourview is the perfect base for conducting business and exploring the city.

https://www.theharbourview.com.hk/

Renaissance Hong Kong Harbour View Hotel
1 Harbour Rd, Wan Chai
1 min by walking (Attached to HKCEC)
Travel like you live at Renaissance Hong Kong Harbour View Hotel. With a great location in vibrant Wan Chai, we place all of Hong Kong Island at your fingertips for a business trip or family holiday.

https://www.marriott.com/en-us/hotels/hkghv-renaissance-hong-kong-harbour-view-hotel/overview/

The St. Regis Hong Kong
1 Harbour Rd, Wan Chai
4 min by walking
At The St. Regis Hong Kong, discerning expertise and bespoke indulgence provide you with the key to an exquisite stay in Wan Chai district.

https://www.marriott.com/en-us/hotels/hkgxr-the-st-regis-hong-kong/overview/

About ICANN

ICANN’s mission is to help ensure a stable, secure, and unified global Internet. To reach another person on the Internet, you need to type an address – a name or a number – into your computer or other device. That address must be unique so computers know where to find each other. ICANN helps coordinate and support these unique identifiers across the world. ICANN was formed in 1998 as a nonprofit public benefit corporation with a community of participants from all over the world.

ICANN Website

About HKIRC

Hong Kong Internet Registration Corporation Limited (HKIRC) is a not-for-profit and non- statutory corporation designated by the HKSAR Government to administer the registration of Internet domain names under .hk and country-code top level domains. HKIRC provides registration services through its registrars for domain names ending with .com.hk, .org.hk, .gov.hk, .edu.hk, .net.hk, .idv.hk, 公司.香港, .組織.香港, .政府.香港, .教育.香港, .網絡.香港, .個人.香港, .hk and .香港.

HKIRC Website