Minister Josephine Teo’s Inspiring Address at the 5th ASEAN Digital Ministers Gathering

Opening Statements by Minister Josephine Teo at the 5th ASEAN Digital Ministers Meeting on 16 January 2025

Your Excellency Mr. Prasert Jantararuangtong, Deputy Prime Minister and
Minister of Digital Economy and Society of the Kingdom of Thailand

Respected Digital Ministers

Excellencies

Esteemed guests

Ladies and gentlemen

Opening

1. To begin with, I wish to extend my gratitude to Deputy Prime Minister Prasert and
the Royal Thai Government for their gracious hospitality in hosting the 5th
ADGMIN.

2. Colleagues, we are now a coalition of like-minded allies and companions.
It is no overstatement to mention that ASEAN has made notable advancements
on our digital path, grounded in our mutual commitment to construct
an inclusive and secure digital ecosystem.

Working Groups Formed in 2024

3. In the past year, we have initiated and convened three new working
groups to tackle critical challenges:

4. Firstly, under Thailand’s guidance, we formed the ASEAN Working
Group on Anti-Online Scams (WG-AS) to collectively confront scams across
digital and telecommunications platforms. This Working Group promotes
the exchange of policies, best practices and strategic insights. It
will be instrumental in our unified efforts to combat this cross-border
issue.

5. Secondly, we have established the ASEAN Working Group on AI Governance (WG-AI)
to supervise AI governance initiatives within ASEAN. The Working Group has
fostered valuable conversations on this vital subject and initiated several
projects, including the enhancement of the ASEAN Guide on AI Governance to
address Generative AI. This positions us as one of the few multinational entities
that have undertaken such a challenge.

6. We acknowledge that AI is a pertinent issue affecting all our nations
and citizens. It also intersects with various ASEAN Sectoral Bodies.
We therefore welcome Secretary-General Dr. Kao’s recommendation for the ADGMIN
and ADGSOM to spearhead ASEAN’s AI initiatives, and to coordinate and provide
expertise on AI matters across all other ASEAN Sectoral Bodies. I am assured that
our Working Group on AI will persist in its essential work, supporting the ASEAN
Digital Ministers in these broadened roles.

7. Thirdly, we successfully launched the ASEAN Working Group on Submarine Cables
(WG-SC). Submarine cables are crucial undersea infrastructure that are
vulnerable to damage. Annually, there are about 150 to 200 submarine
cable incidents globally, with over 50 cable disruptions in the Asia Pacific
and Indian Ocean regions. The most prevalent causes include net and dredge
trawling, poorly stowed anchors, and anchoring outside approved areas.

8. Damage to submarine cables can undermine digital connectivity in ASEAN
and around the world. For example, several South Asian nations faced Internet
service interruptions when a submarine cable in the Straits of Malacca was
damaged in April last year. The growing digitalization of our economies
and societies highlights the need for improved coordination to bolster cable
resilience. Governments and the cable industry are enhancing education
and adopting international best practices for the protection and repair of submarine cables.

9. I am encouraged that ASEAN is aligned with these progressive initiatives
and acknowledges the necessity for strong standards to address this concern. I am
pleased to note that the WG-SC has commenced discussions on updating the
2019 ASEAN Guidelines to incorporate best practices that strengthen ASEAN’s submarine
cable network.

10. In addition to the three new working groups, we have also continued to
advance our collaboration in other significant areas. One pivotal area is the
facilitation of cross-border data flows, managed by the Working Group
on Digital Data Governance (WG-DDG).

11. The Working Group has crafted an Operational Framework for Global
Cross-Border Privacy Rules (CBPR) and Global Privacy Recognition for Processors,
to offer detailed guidance on how ASEAN Member States can engage
in the Global CBPR. In conjunction with the ASEAN Model Contractual Clauses, the
Global CBPR will enable a more fluid data flow, thereby injecting greater vibrancy
into our digital economies while ensuring essential data protection.

12. The Working Group has also finalized the mapping of ASEAN Model Contractual
Clauses (MCCs) and Ibero-American Data Protection Network MCCs. This practical
guide assists in establishing a common understanding between both regions, easing
contractual negotiations for cross-border data exchanges.

Cybersecurity

13. Let me now address cybersecurity. We have made considerable progress
in cybersecurity collaboration, demonstrated by the successful convening of
the first ASEAN Regional CERT Taskforce. This meeting took place in Singapore
last August, under Malaysia’s capable coordination. We also celebrated
the inauguration of the ASEAN Regional CERT’s physical facility during the 9th
ASEAN Ministerial Conference on Cybersecurity last October.

14. Our next objective is to operationalize the ASEAN Regional CERT. This essential
step will enhance CERT-related information sharing and capacity building
among ASEAN Member States, fostering a more prompt and collaborative response
to cyber threats.

15. Another achievement was the finalization of the ASEAN Checklist for the
Implementation of the Norms of Responsible State Behaviour in Cyberspace,
with contributions from all ASEAN Member States and in collaboration with
the United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research. The Checklist was
endorsed at the 5th ASEAN Cybersecurity Coordinating Committee Meeting,
and positions ASEAN as the first region to create such a framework. As
a voluntary reference, it will aid ASEAN Member States in taking tangible
actions to build capacity and align the implementation of these norms with
our national priorities and abilities.

Closing

16. Collectively, all of our endeavors will contribute towards a secure,
innovative and inclusive digital ecosystem, which supports our expanding
ASEAN digital economy.

17. As the outgoing Chair, I wish to convey my gratitude to
my fellow ASEAN Ministers for your support during Singapore’s ADGMIN Chairmanship
in 2024. I would also like to acknowledge all our Senior Officials for their
commitment and diligence in executing the 2024 workplan and activities.

18. Singapore is pleased to transfer the ADGMIN Chairmanship to Thailand.
We anticipate Deputy Prime Minister Prasert’s leadership as we collaborate
to harness digital technologies for the advantage of our nations
and peoples, for a brighter future for all of us in ASEAN. Thank you very
much.