APAN (Asia-Pacific Advanced Network ) Consortium, a non-profit international consortium, was established on 3 June 1997. APAN was designed to be a high-performance network for research and development on advanced next-generation applications and services. APAN provided an advanced networking environment for the research and education community in the Asia-Pacific region and promotes global collaboration. Its objectives were:

1. to coordinate and promote network technology developments and advances in network-based applications and services.
2. to coordinate the development of an advanced networking environment for research and education communities in the Asia-Pacific region.
3. to encourage and promote global cooperation to help achieve the above.

In furtherance of the above objectives, the Consortium carried out the following activities, though not necessarily limited to these:

1. holding meetings, workshops and conferences.
2. exchanging technical information among its community and beyond.
3. arranging and organizing education and training workshops.
4. promoting and encouraging regional connectivity.

In furtherance of the above objectives, the Organization worked closely with interested individuals and organizations to further the cause of adoption and research into advance network applications and technologies.