Four shifts for ASEAN to become a secure digital community

After 5 working days, the 6th ASEAN Digital Ministers’ Meeting (ADGMIN) officially approved the ASEAN Digital Master Plan 2030, marking an important step in the region’s digital cooperation. This result was announced at the closing ceremony of the conference held on the afternoon of January 16, closing the series of conferences of ASEAN’s highest cooperation mechanism in the field of digital technology.

This plan aims to build ASEAN into an integrated, secure, trustworthy, innovative and inclusive digital community. The goal is to empower all citizens and businesses to access opportunities, develop innovation capabilities, and participate more deeply in the global digital economy.

To realize that vision, ADM2030 identifies four strategic paradigm shifts. Countries in the region will move from expanding connectivity to building an integrated, seamless and inclusive digital infrastructure, along with a safe, sustainable and reliable digital ecosystem, as the foundation for digital transformation.

The second shift focuses on people. ASEAN will move from providing e-government services and bridging the digital divide to empowering all organizations and people, through smart digital government.

The third shift is towards innovation. Instead of just embracing technology, ASEAN aims to build innovation capacity through a dynamic startup ecosystem, regulatory sandboxes, regional testing grounds and promoting open data.

The final shift is directly related to economic growth. ASEAN will move from information technology-based growth to smart industries and comprehensive digital transformation, with the sustainable and responsible application of AI and emerging technologies, helping businesses improve their competitiveness and reach the global market.

These four shifts clearly outline ASEAN’s “next stage of digital development”, from building a sustainable digital foundation, empowering people, promoting growth based on innovation, to shaping the responsible use of future technology.

According to Minister of Science and Technology Nguyen Manh Hung, the adoption of the ASEAN Digital Master Plan 2030 is a milestone for the region’s next phase of digital cooperation, creating a dynamic, reliable and people-centered digital future.

“This common commitment has outlined a clear, forward-looking roadmap to realize a common vision into concrete actions and practical results,” said Minister Nguyen Manh Hung.

Speaking at the closing of the 6th ASEAN Digital Ministerial Conference, the representative of the host country, Minister Nguyen Manh Hung, commented that the conference had completed the entire proposed agenda. According to him, during the conference, Ministers and delegations of ASEAN countries actively participated and contributed many valuable opinions to the regional digital cooperation process.

The countries agreed to adopt the Conference Report, Joint Statement and Hanoi Declaration on ASEAN Adaptation: From infrastructure connection to intellectual connection. This has reaffirmed ASEAN’s common commitment to moving beyond connectivity, towards an era of connected intelligence.

The conference also announced that Brunei will take on the role of host of the 7th ADGMIN. Minister of Transport and Communications of Brunei, Mr. Pengiran Shamhari, said that the 7th ADGMIN is expected to be held in Bandar Seri Begawan from January 28 to 29, 2027.