TLDR: ASEAN Foreign Ministers have lauded the ASEAN Digital Ministers (ADGMIN) for their pivotal role in bolstering regional digital cooperation and fostering economic growth. Key achievements highlighted include significant strides in 5G infrastructure development, enhanced digital data governance, and robust efforts to combat online scams. Strategic frameworks such as the ASEAN Digital Master Plan 2026–2030 and the ASEAN Cybersecurity Strategic Plan 2026–2030 are underway, alongside notable progress in AI governance, including the development of the ASEAN Guide on AI Governance and Ethics and initiatives for an ASEAN AI Safety Network.
KUALA LUMPUR – The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Foreign Ministers have extended commendation to the ASEAN Digital Ministers (ADGMIN) for their proactive and impactful contributions to strengthening regional digital cooperation and driving economic growth. This recognition was articulated in the Joint Communique of the 58th ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting (AMM), held on July 9, 2025, as part of Malaysia’s 2025 ASEAN chairmanship, themed “Inclusivity and Sustainability.” The high-level meetings, which convened approximately 1,500 delegates, took place at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre from July 8 to 11.
The ADGMIN’s efforts are central to digitalizing the region, encompassing critical areas such as the development of ASEAN 5G infrastructure, improved digital data governance, and concerted actions to combat online scams. These initiatives are designed to bolster ASEAN’s digital competitiveness and ensure sustainable, inclusive digital development across the bloc.
Significant progress has been noted in the realm of Artificial Intelligence (AI) governance, spearheaded by the ASEAN Working Group on AI Governance (WG-AI). The 2024 ASEAN Guide on AI Governance and Ethics has been completed, with an expanded version specifically addressing Generative AI slated for release in 2025. Furthermore, there are ongoing efforts to establish a Declaration on the Establishment of an ASEAN AI Safety Network (AI SAFE), which was also approved as a Priority Economic Deliverable (PED) during the 5th ASEAN Digital Ministers’ Meeting (ADGMIN) in January 2025.
In the domain of cybersecurity, the region is actively developing the ASEAN Cybersecurity Strategic Plan 2026–2030. The importance of cybersecurity was underscored at the 5th ADGMIN, which recognized its critical role in building a resilient and prosperous digital future for ASEAN. Complementing these efforts, the ASEAN 5G and Operational Technology (OT) Security Summit is scheduled to take place from July 15 to 17, 2025, at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre. Hosted by Digital Nasional Bhd (DNB) and CyberSecurity Malaysia (CSM), the summit anticipates drawing 2,000 participants from 14 countries, including 500 international delegates. Datuk Azman Ismail, CEO of DNB, stated, “The main purpose of this event is to share the risks many people face in relation to cybersecurity, and to explore ways to mitigate them. I think it’s important to view these issues not as unique to Malaysia, but as challenges faced globally.” The summit aims to bring together global experts in cybersecurity and AI to foster innovation and strengthen regional cybersecurity controls.
Key initiatives also include the work of the ASEAN Working Groups on Digital Data Governance and Submarine Cables. The region is actively shaping its digital future through the development of pivotal regional frameworks, including the ASEAN Digital Master Plan 2026–2030. The 5th ADGMIN also looked forward to the final review of the ASEAN Digital Masterplan 2025, which will inform the strategic direction for continuous digital transformation.
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International cooperation remains a cornerstone of ASEAN’s digital agenda. The 58th AMM featured 24 ministerial-level engagements, including sessions with ASEAN Dialogue and Sectoral Dialogue Partners. Collaboration with partners such as the United States focuses on AI, cybersecurity, undersea cables, cloud computing, combating online scams, and supporting Digital Economy Framework Agreement (DEFA) negotiations. Cooperation with China includes digital and ICT infrastructure, submarine cable protection, cloud computing, AI, cyber and data security. Japan’s contributions span AI policies, digital infrastructure, and cybersecurity, underscoring a collective commitment to a secure, innovative, and inclusive digital ecosystem across Southeast Asia.
