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The 5th ASEAN Digital Ministers’ Meeting, held in Bangkok on 16-17 January, tackled key issues in AI governance, cybersecurity, and digital economy integration

The 5th ASEAN Digital Ministers’ Meeting (ADGMIN) and Related Meetings with Dialogue Partners took place on 16-17 January in Bangkok, ������. Chaired by ������, the ASEAN Chair for 2025, the event brought together regional leaders, including ASEAN Secretary-General Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, under the theme “Secure, Innovative, Inclusive: Shaping ASEAN’s Digital Future.”

Discussions centred on leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) to unlock ASEAN’s digital economy potential. The meeting highlighted the need for collaboration among policymakers, private sectors, and communities to address challenges such as the digital divide, cross-border data flow restrictions, and cybersecurity risks. It also underscored the importance of safeguarding personal data in building a unified and inclusive digital ecosystem.

Key outcomes included the approval of the ASEAN Digital Senior Officials’ Work Plan and Budget for 2025 and the adoption of the “Declaration on the Establishment of an ASEAN AI Safety Network (AI SAFE).” Additionally, the “ASEAN Guide on Sustainable Data Centre Development” was designated as a priority for the next work cycle. The meeting also welcomed new partnerships, notably with the World Bank, which will join ADGSOM as a development partner from 2025 onwards.

Looking ahead, the meeting reaffirmed its commitment to advancing digital transformation through the ASEAN Digital Masterplan 2030 (ADM2030). Viet Nam will lead the development of this framework, aiming for endorsement at the 6th ADGMIN later this year.

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