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The meeting brought together representatives from fourteen research and education networks from around the world in Chile, with the aim of strengthening international collaboration on key issues for the scientific and academic community.

Chile hosted the first 2026 meeting of the Global R&E Network CEO Forum, a platform that convenes the chief executive officers of research and education networks including AARNet (Australia), CANARIE (Canada), CERNET (China), DFN (Germany), GÉANT (Europe), Internet2 (USA), Jisc (United Kingdom), NORDUnet (Nordic countries), REANNZ (New Zealand), RedCLARA (Latin America), RNP (Brazil), REUNA (Chile), SANReN (South Africa), SINET (Japan), SURFnet (Netherlands) and UbuntuNet (Eastern and Southern Africa), to address a range of topics of shared interest.

The meeting took place in the city of La Serena from 2 to 6 February and was hosted by REUNA and RedCLARA. Throughout the sessions, participants discussed major trends and challenges for research and education networks, the resilience of the Global Research and Education Network (GREN), identity management and interoperability, the impact of submarine cables on international connectivity, artificial intelligence and the role of academic networks in this field, as well as operational continuity strategies.

“The work of the Global R&E Network CEO Forum constitutes a high-level platform aimed at fostering strategic dialogue, policy development, technological leadership and cross-border cooperation. For REUNA —the southernmost academic and research network in the world— whose privileged geographical position gives it a significant impact on science at a global scale, being part of this initiative enables it to address local challenges from a global perspective. This forum is essential for projecting, beyond day-to-day operations, network infrastructure and digital services towards the evolving and increasingly demanding needs of science and higher education. It is also key for building long-term relationships that strengthen the work carried out in each country, for the benefit of a community that collaborates, grows and thrives as it becomes more connected and articulated.”

As part of the programme, attendees also had the opportunity to explore the region and visit the Vera C. Rubin Observatory, funded by NSF–DOE and operated by AURA, one of the most significant astronomical projects worldwide.

REUNA Board joins the global dialogue of academic networks

As host, REUNA invited members of its Board of Directors to participate in selected activities within the forum, with the aim of strengthening networking opportunities and providing a closer insight into the work carried out by the Corporation together with its member institutions.

In this context, the President of the Board, José Palacios, stated: “The participation of REUNA’s Board in the Global R&E Network CEO Forum 2026 is a source of great satisfaction. First, because this space brings together the leaders of the most important networks in the global education and research system, and it is a matter of pride that our network is included within this select group. I would also like to thank the organisers for their trust and the participants for their commitment, as many of them travelled long hours to attend the meeting. The participation of the Board on this occasion is entirely unprecedented and was very well received by its members, as an opportunity to engage with CEOs who manage resources and demands within complex education and research systems, to learn from the challenges these countries face, and from the good practices they implement in response, as well as from the forward-looking vision that this experience provides.”

The next meeting of the Global R&E Network CEO Forum is scheduled to take place in Copenhagen, Denmark, in June 2026.