Fonepay Hosts 1st Meeting of 21st Asian Payment Network (APN) Forum in Kathmandu: Strengthening Regional Digital Payments
Fonepay, Nepal's leading payment network, successfully hosted the 1st Meeting of the 21st Asian Payment Network (APN) Forum at Hilton Kathmandu on May 6-7, 2025. This prestigious event marked a significant milestone in Nepal’s development as a regional leader in digital payment solutions, bringing together distinguished delegates from 14 APN member countries to discuss the future of cross-border retail payments in Asia.
Establishing Nepal as a Regional Hub for Digital Payments
The APN Forum served as a crucial platform for promoting collaboration and knowledge exchange among Asia's top payment networks. Over the course of the multi-day event, member countries shared best practices, technological advancements, and strategies to promote seamless digital payments across borders. High-level discussions, insightful presentations, and strategic sessions highlighted the importance of digital financial cooperation and strengthening digital financial cooperation among member nations.
The forum began with a high-profile visit to the Prime Minister’s Office, where delegates met with Rt. Hon. KP Sharma Oli, the Prime Minister of Nepal. This meeting highlighted the Nepalese government’s strong support for advancing innovation in the digital payment sector and underscored the importance of the forum.
Key Developments and Leadership Appointments
The first day of the forum included the APN Annual General Meeting (AGM), where key topics were addressed, such as updates to the APN Charter, progress on cross-border payment initiatives, and the election of new leadership positions within the network.
In a major leadership update, BancNet (Philippines) was elected as the new APN Chairman, with Fonepay (Nepal) appointed as Vice Chairman. Other leadership roles included the election of Rintis (Indonesia) and NAPAS (Vietnam) as Business Sub-Committee Chairman and Vice Chairman, respectively. Fonepay and UnionPay (China) were elected as Technical Sub-Committee Chairman and Vice Chairman, while NITMX (Thailand) and Artajasa (Indonesia) were elected as Risk Sub-Committee Chairman and Vice Chairman. PayNet (Malaysia) was named Auditor, and NETS (Singapore) was appointed Treasurer for the upcoming term.
These leadership appointments reflect the growing importance of regional cooperation and leadership in advancing digital payment solutions across Asia.
Open Day Sessions: Focus on Fraud Risk Management and Cross-Border Payment Integration
The forum concluded with Open Day sessions on May 7, which included panel discussions on topics like fraud risk management, lessons learned from cross-border payment integrations, and strategies for improving payment system security across borders. During these sessions, Fonepay shared its valuable insights on regional collaborations, emphasizing the importance of trust, regulatory alignment, and technological integration in building secure and scalable payment ecosystems.
Fonepay’s Leadership in the Digital Payment Ecosystem
Diwas Kumar, CEO of Fonepay, remarked on the significance of hosting the APN Forum in Nepal:
“Hosting the APN Forum in Nepal highlights our leadership in the digital payment space. It provides a platform to share insights, collaborate with regional partners, and work together to advance inclusive and secure financial ecosystems across Asia.”
Fonepay’s role in hosting this high-profile event further reinforces its commitment to shaping the future of digital payments in Asia, establishing Nepal as an emerging leader in the global digital payment ecosystem.
About Fonepay
Fonepay is a Payment System Operator facilitating inter-bank person-to-person (P2P) and person-to-merchant (P2M) transactions through its interoperable network and mobile platforms. Regulated by Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB), Fonepay was the first mobile payment network to be licensed by NRB as a Payment System Operator (PSO). Fonepay is also Nepal’s first non-card-based PSO to achieve PCI DSS Certification.
About Asian Payment Network
Established in 2006 by domestic payment switches across ASEAN, the Asian Payment Network (APN) was formed with the support of respective ASEAN Central Banks to advance the objectives of ASEANPay. The network aims to promote the development of an efficient, secure, and cost-effective cross-border retail payment infrastructure. APN currently comprises 14 member organizations from 13 countries and works closely with regional central banks and initiatives like the ASEAN Working Committee on Payment and Settlement Systems (WC-PSS) to drive greater interoperability and financial inclusion across Asia.
Conclusion: Advancing Digital Payment Solutions Across Asia
The successful hosting of the APN Forum in Kathmandu underscores Nepal’s growing role in the digital payment sector. By bringing together key stakeholders from across Asia, the forum served as a catalyst for enhancing regional cooperation in cross-border payments, fraud risk management, and payment system integration.
As the digital payment industry continues to evolve, Fonepay’s leadership will be crucial in driving inclusive, secure, and innovative financial ecosystems in the region. This event marks a significant step toward a connected and efficient digital payment future for Asia and Nepal.
