Amid increasingly fierce geopolitical dynamics and global technology competition, the Southeast Asian region is required to maintain its commitment to an open digital ecosystem. Secretary General of the Ministry of Communication and Digital (Kemkomdigi), Ismail, emphasized that the principles of inclusivity, security, and interoperability serve as the main foundation that must be maintained by ASEAN member states.
During the 2026 ADGSOM-ATRC Joint Working Group Meeting in Jakarta, Ismail highlighted various contemporary challenges such as global supply chain resilience, cybersecurity threats, and digital sovereignty issues. He noted that the complexity of today's technological landscape demands that every country in the region strengthen solidarity and maintain ASEAN's centrality as a constructive block.
Furthermore, Ismail believes that regional collaboration is the strategic key to transforming digital transformation challenges into engines of sustainable economic growth. Close cooperation is expected to drive innovation while ensuring regional stability in an increasingly interconnected world.
As a concrete step, the first-year implementation of the ASEAN Digital Master Plan 2030 (ADM 2030) is seen as a new milestone in regional digital diplomacy. This framework is projected to serve as a compass for ASEAN countries to respond to rapid technological developments with unified and effective measures over the next five years.
