KUALA LUMPUR, Jan. 22 (NNN-Bernama) — The Ministers at the inaugural ASEAN Digital Ministers’ Meeting (ADGMIN1), which concluded Friday, underscored the importance of accelerating inclusive digital transformation in ASEAN that serves as a consolidated exit strategy from the COVID-19 crisis.
In a joint statement, they said this is one of the key strategies adopted under the ASEAN Comprehensive Recovery Framework (ACRF) and its Implementation Plan.
“The Ministers recognised the unprecedented challenges posed by COVID-19 pandemic and expressed condolences for the loss of lives and disrupted livelihoods,” they said in the statement released at the end of the ADGMIN1, chaired by Malaysia’s Communications and Multimedia Minister Saifuddin Abdullah in a virtual environment.
Myanmar’s Union Minister for Transport and Communications, U Thant Sin Maung, was the Vice-Chair.
Meanwhile, the Ministers noted that ASEAN has put in tremendous efforts to complete the ASEAN ICT Masterplan 2020 (AIM2020), with 51 projects undertaken to implement the eight strategic thrusts of the masterplan.
“These efforts have led to substantial improvements in ICT development and connectivity in the region”, it said.
The Ministers also welcomed the launching of the ASEAN Digital Masterplan 2025 (ADM2025) to guide ASEAN’s digital cooperation from 2021 to 2025 in realising ASEAN as a leading digital community and economic bloc, powered by secure and transformative digital services, technologies and ecosystem, and undergirded by cybersecurity to foster a trusted and reliable digital space.
They also welcomed the Implementing Guidelines for the ASEAN Data Management Framework (DMF) and ASEAN Cross Border Data Flows (CBDF) Mechanism, which are initiatives of the ASEAN Framework on Digital Data Governance.
This builds on the principles of the ASEAN Framework on Personal Data Protection to harmonise data management and cross border data flow standards in the ASEAN region, raise the digital competitiveness of ASEAN Member States by establishing a trusted, transparent and accountable environment for doing business, and build ASEAN’s readiness to take up new digital opportunities.
“This will prepare ASEAN to work with other regional and global partners on creating interoperable data management and cross border data flows standards globally,” it said.
At the meeting, the Ministers also adopted the Putrajaya Declaration on “ASEAN: A Digitally Connected Community” to build a digitally-ready and connected ASEAN to help businesses and citizens benefit from opportunities presented by the digital economy.
The Ministers also held consultations with their counterparts from China, Japan, South Korea, India, and also consultation with the International Telecommunication Union (ITU).
All 10-ASEAN member states – Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam – participated in the ADGMIN1, convened virtually, starting with the Senior Officials Meeting (ADGSOM1).
ADGMIN1 was previously known as the ASEAN Telecommunications and Information Technology Ministers Meeting (ASEAN TELMIN).
Themed “ASEAN: A Digitally Connected Community”, ADGMIN1 seeks to strengthen cooperation among ASEAN countries towards building digital ecosystems as a pillar in the post-COVID-19 development plan.
— NNN-BERNAMA