ASEAN senior economic officials have concluded negotiations on the ASEAN Digital Economy Framework Agreement (DEFA), a landmark pact aimed at creating the region’s first integrated, secure, interoperable, competitive, and inclusive digital economy.
The agreement was finalized during the Second Meeting of the 57th ASEAN Senior Economic Officials Meeting (SEOM) in Manila from 27 to 29 May 2026.
In a statement, SEOM said the DEFA is expected to be transformative for ASEAN’s digital economy, which is projected to reach around USD1 trillion by 2030 under current growth trends. Studies indicate the figure could double to USD2 trillion by 2030 with the agreement’s successful implementation.
The breakthrough follows directions from ASEAN economic ministers during the 27th ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) Council Meeting in Cebu on 7 May to resolve all remaining negotiating issues, highlighting the agreement’s strategic importance amid a rapidly evolving global economy.
The DEFA is a cornerstone of ASEAN’s expanding digital architecture and is designed to make cross-border digital trade and online transactions easier, safer, and more seamless for businesses and consumers across the region.
The agreement establishes a regional framework covering digital trade, e-commerce, data governance and privacy, digital identity, electronic payments, cybersecurity cooperation, competition policy, artificial intelligence, and digital talent mobility.
It also builds on existing ASEAN initiatives, including the ASEAN Single Window, digital payments connectivity, cross-border data initiatives, online consumer protection measures, and the ASEAN Unique Business Identification Number (UBIN).
By strengthening digital connectivity, reducing barriers to digital trade, and enhancing trust in online transactions, the DEFA is expected to deepen regional economic integration, boost competitiveness, and create new opportunities for innovation, investment, and sustainable growth.
ASEAN officials emphasized that the agreement is also a development tool aimed at ensuring the benefits of digital transformation are shared more broadly across member states. The DEFA is expected to help narrow development gaps, expand opportunities for micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), and support economies at different stages of digital development.
The agreement is expected to play a key role in advancing ASEAN 2045: Our Shared Future and the AEC Strategic Plan 2026–2030.
ASEAN SEOM said it looks forward to the formal signing of the DEFA in November 2026 alongside the 28th AEC Council Meeting and the 49th ASEAN Summit, marking a major step in ASEAN’s digital integration journey and strengthening the region’s position as a leading global digital growth hub.
