Data, AI and cybersecurity at core of regional agenda

Addressing the 6th ASEAN Digital Ministers Meeting and Related Meetings (ADGMIN) in Hanoi on January 15, the Prime Minister underscored that the world is entering an unprecedented digital era marked by rapid advances in artificial intelligence, big data, the Internet of Things and blockchain technologies.

These breakthroughs are fundamentally transforming production, business models and social governance, creating new opportunities for countries to rise, he said, adding that digital transformation is no longer just an inevitable trend but a strategic choice and top priority for fast and sustainable development.

In his view, digital transformation, alongside the development of digital government, digital economy and digital society, has emerged as a new growth driver for ASEAN and a key pillar of sustainable development at both regional and national levels.

He stressed the growing importance of building integrated digital infrastructure, inclusive digital institutions and a high-quality digital workforce, as digital ecosystems increasingly reshape how people connect and how countries interact.

Data, he said, has become a new strategic resource, with data governance and connectivity critical not only to national competitiveness and governance but also to expanding cooperation within ASEAN and beyond.

On artificial intelligence, the Prime Minister called for ASEAN to promote regulatory sandboxes for new technologies and business models, while ensuring AI development adheres to ethical standards, is human-centred and serves peace, cooperation and development.

The Vietnamese leader also highlighted cybersecurity and digital sovereignty as major challenges, noting that cyberspace has become a new front where non-traditional security threats are rapidly increasing, requiring proactive, comprehensive and effective international cooperation.

According to the Prime Minister, ASEAN is shifting its cooperation focus from infrastructure connectivity to smart connectivity, aiming to build a seamless, cross-border regional digital ecosystem integrating digital infrastructure, data and AI.

Digital connectivity is not just about infrastructure, but about connecting minds, building trust and strengthening solidarity, he said.

Reviewing ASEAN’s development, he highlighted that the bloc has become one of the world’s most dynamic growth centres, with a combined GDP of about US$3.7 trillion and a population of nearly 700 million, more than 60% of whom are young and digitally savvy.

ASEAN’s digital economy reached nearly US$300 billion in 2025, double its size in 2020, while internet penetration exceeded 75%, digital payments grew by more than 50% annually and e-commerce expanded rapidly.

He reaffirmed that ASEAN remains a strategic priority in Vietnam’s foreign policy and said Vietnam’s sustainable development is closely linked to peace, stability and prosperity within the ASEAN Community.

He outlined Vietnam’s progress in national digital transformation, including major policy frameworks on science, technology, innovation and digital transformation, nationwide 5G coverage reaching more than 91% of the population, and strong growth in e-commerce, which reached about US$36 billion in 2025.

Despite these gains, the Prime Minister warned that Vietnam and ASEAN face mounting challenges, including intensifying global competition over technology and data, widening digital divides, institutional gaps, infrastructure bottlenecks and rising cybercrime.

Toward ASEAN Community Vision 2045

Looking toward the ASEAN Community Vision 2045, he proposed strengthening digital trust and adaptive governance; developing modern, resilient digital infrastructure and smart connectivity; and ensuring cybersecurity while building a high-quality digital workforce.

Vietnam is ready to share experience, support less-developed partners and work closely with ASEAN members and global partners to narrow digital gaps and promote inclusive growth, he said, adding it is committed to working with ASEAN to build a united, resilient and prosperous digital community.

In his opening remarks, Vietnam’s Minister of Science and Technology Nguyen Manh Hung said the meeting reflects a defining shift in ASEAN’s digital development thinking, from prioritising the expansion of connectivity infrastructure to harnessing intelligence, data and the added value generated by those connections.

The shift, he said, marks a new era in ASEAN’s digital transformation, where digital infrastructure is no longer an end in itself but a foundation for innovation, productivity and sustainable growth.

ASEAN Secretary-General Kao Kim Hourn reaffirmed the bloc’s commitment to advancing comprehensive digital cooperation, narrowing digital gaps among member states and building a safe, trusted and inclusive digital space. He underscored the role of ADGMIN as a key ministerial mechanism in translating ASEAN’s digital transformation strategies into concrete programmes, initiatives and practical cooperation.

Amandeep Singh Gill, UN Under-Secretary-General and the Secretary-General’s Envoy on Technology, who attended the meeting at Vietnam’s invitation, shared insights on global trends in digital transformation and artificial intelligence. He called on ASEAN to pursue a balanced, human-centred approach to digital and AI development to ensure technology delivers tangible benefits for sustainable development.

ADGMIN is ASEAN’s principal ministerial-level cooperation mechanism on digital affairs. The 6th meeting and related meetings focused on key priorities including digital transformation, the digital economy, digital infrastructure and platform connectivity, data governance, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and strengthened cooperation with dialogue partners and international organisations.

On the sidelines of ADGMIN, Vietnam is hosting a series of ASEAN digital cooperation meetings and related activities in Hanoi from. Jan 12 to 16. The events are reviewing progress in implementing ASEAN’s digital cooperation frameworks and discussing future priorities, with the aim of advancing a secure, trusted, inclusive and adaptive ASEAN digital space amid rapid technological change.

ADGSOM meeting in Vietnam promotes policy coordination and digital cooperation

VOV.VN - The 6th ASEAN Digital Senior Officials’ Meeting (ADGSOM) was held in Hanoi from January 12 to 14, bringing together heads of delegation and representatives from agencies in charge of information technology, telecommunications and digital transformation from the 11 ASEAN member states, the ASEAN Secretariat, and partner organizations.