ASEAN Digital Ministers Approve Hanoi Declaration on Digital Cooperation

Hanoi, The Gulf Observer: The 6th ASEAN Digital Ministers’ Meeting (ADGMIN) has approved the Hanoi Declaration on digital cooperation, reaffirming the bloc’s goals and principles as enshrined in the 1967 Bangkok Declaration and the ASEAN Charter.

The 6th ADGMIN and its related meetings, held in Hànội from January 12 to 16 under the theme “ASEAN Adaptive: From Connectivity to Connected Intelligence,” focused on advancing regional digital integration and cooperation.

The Hanoi Declaration places strong emphasis on enhancing intra-ASEAN digital cooperation to promote economic growth, social progress, and cultural development through joint efforts based on equality and partnership. It aims to lay a solid foundation for a prosperous and peaceful ASEAN Community.

The declaration builds on the ASEAN Leaders’ Statement on Advancing Digital Transformation adopted at the 38th ASEAN Summit in 2021. It calls for coordinated and inclusive digital transformation efforts across all ASEAN sectoral pillars, stressing the need to accelerate inclusive, safe, and sustainable digital transformation while promoting innovation, bridging the digital divide, and strengthening regional cooperation toward a people-centred, resilient, and digitally integrated ASEAN Community.

The document acknowledges the summary report of the ASEAN Digital Masterplan 2025, highlighting key achievements, outcomes, and recommendations to further strengthen cooperation and enhance the region’s digital competitiveness and readiness. It also provides important directions for developing a forward-looking and inclusive framework to guide intra-bloc digital cooperation for the 2026–2030 period.

Recognising artificial intelligence (AI) as a critical new infrastructure, the declaration underscores its role as an intelligent backbone underpinning the next phase of ASEAN’s digital transformation. AI is identified as a key driver enabling the region to transition from infrastructure connectivity to intelligence connectivity, fostering deeper regional integration and a trustworthy, innovative, and inclusive digital community.

Under the Hanoi Declaration, ASEAN agreed to shape its digital future through the adoption of the ASEAN Digital Masterplan 2026–2030 (ADM 2030) as a core pillar of regional digital integration. ADM 2030 envisions an inclusive, trustworthy, and innovative digital community that empowers citizens and businesses to thrive in the global digital economy, while guiding coordinated regional cooperation and the updating of national digital strategies.

The declaration also highlights the development of intelligent, seamless, inclusive, and resilient digital infrastructure through the integration of AI and the Internet of Things (IoT), enhanced network speed and coverage, and diversified access via broadband, 5G/6G, cloud services, data centres, low-Earth orbit satellites, and submarine cables to ensure cross-border continuity and resilience.

To build a trustworthy and secure digital ecosystem, the document stresses strengthening regional cybersecurity resilience and cooperation to combat telecom fraud, including the implementation of the ASEAN Guide on Anti-Scam Policies and Best Practices. It further promotes inclusive digital participation by expanding affordable connectivity and ensuring accessible technology for women, youth, rural communities, persons with disabilities, and other vulnerable groups, alongside efforts to enhance digital skills, lifelong learning, and responsible digital behaviour.

The Hanoi Declaration also emphasises strengthening the digital workforce and talent pipeline through joint research and development initiatives, academia–business partnerships, engagement with global innovation platforms, and the sharing and development of ICT skills among educational and training institutions. In parallel, it seeks to accelerate digital economic integration through public digital infrastructure, interoperable data connectivity, seamless and paperless digital trade, and enhanced cybersecurity, while supporting startups, micro-, small- and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs), and digital businesses with improved access to technology and finance.

According to the declaration, ASEAN member states will intensify AI cooperation by promoting policy harmonisation and joint safety efforts under the guidance of the Working Group on AI Governance and ASEAN support mechanisms, including the ASEAN AI Safe Network. The document also underscores the importance of green digital transformation, advocating energy-efficient digital infrastructure, low-carbon software practices, the integration of environmental, social, and governance principles, and greater use of renewable energy in data centres.

The declaration encourages enhanced collaboration with ASEAN’s dialogue partners and international organisations in areas such as funding, capacity building, technical cooperation, and innovation partnerships, supporting ASEAN’s ambition to become a leading global digital hub.