ASEAN Towards a Digital Future 2045: Vision and Strategy

About Documents

The world is moving rapidly into the digital era. Countries across the globe are prioritizing the transition to digitalization in economic activities, public services, and the daily lives of their people. Everything around us is changing – from ways of working, trading goods, and industrial production to service delivery. The transition to a digital economy is creating opportunities for development aimed at improving the quality of life for all. At the same time, without a sustainable vision and effective strategy, this transformation may also lead to inequality and disparity.

The Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA) has published a research paper titled ASEAN Digital Community 2045: A Strategic Overview, which highlights the rapid expansion of the global digital economy. By 2025, the global digital economy is estimated to reach a value of USD 23 trillion, with digital trade projected to be worth USD 10 trillion by 2030. ASEAN is recognized as a region with high potential in the digital economy, with ASEAN’s digital trade expected to reach USD 1 trillion around 10% of global digital trade by 2030.

The main driver of ASEAN’s digital trade growth is its young population of more than 460 million, who are connected to the internet, prefer online shopping, use mobile payment systems, and are familiar with digital services. The number of internet users in ASEAN increased from 360 million in 2019 to 460 million in 2022. E-commerce, food delivery, and online transportation have become integral to the daily lives of ASEAN citizens.

Over the past decade, ASEAN has been laying the groundwork for the digital economy transition by developing multidimensional policy frameworks including personal data protection, data governance, digital market integration, digital masterplans, and the ongoing negotiations on the ASEAN Digital Economy Agreement. However, while ASEAN has produced many documents and declarations, the challenge remains that many cooperation frameworks are merely recommendations, lacking enforceable mechanisms or clear monitoring and evaluation systems, and often focusing primarily on economic aspects.

Amid global and regional transformations, ASEAN faces numerous challenges, including data protection, cybersecurity, fair competition, infrastructure and digital skills gaps, and environmental impacts.

To address these challenges, this study proposes that ASEAN establish the concept of the ASEAN Digital Community 2045 (ADC 2045) as a long-term vision to fully harness the potential of digital technology by 2045, fostering sustainable, inclusive growth that leaves no one behind. ADC 2045 is not merely an economic plan; it is a comprehensive vision that encompasses all three pillars of the ASEAN Community – Political-Security, Economic, and Socio-Cultural.

In the Political-Security Community, digitalization is transforming election campaigning, voting processes, and even military operations. Cybersecurity, disinformation, and new forms of attacks require urgent attention. In the Economic Community, ASEAN aims to integrate the digital market into a single entity with harmonized standards and policies, ensuring the seamless flow of digital goods, services, and investments. In the Socio-Cultural Economic, technology serves as a tool for expanding educational opportunities, facilitating cultural exchange, and connecting people in unprecedented ways.

The 2045 vision is built on five interconnected key elements:

1. Modern data governance.
2. Driving digital productivity across all sectors.
3. Strengthening infrastructure and connectivity.
4. Ensuring equal participation from all sectors.
5. Making the digital transition environmentally sustainable.

To realize this vision, ASEAN must take systematic action by formulating a concrete and measurable action plan, conducting continuous monitoring and evaluation, investing in human capital and digital skills development, and working together with transparency and accountability mechanisms involving all member states.

With genuine cooperation, ADC 2045 will not remain just a vision document, but will serve as a commitment that in the next two decades, ASEAN will not only keep pace with the global digital transformation but will also become one of the leading digital hubs driven by competitiveness, inclusive of all sectors of society, and ensuring that no one is left behind.

Author:
Mr. Wimon Punkong
Deputy Executive Director (Academic)
International Institute for Trade and Development (Public Organization)
www.itd.or.th
Publication: Bangkok BIZ Newspaper
Section: First Section/World Beat
Volume: 38 Issue: 12966
Date: Wednesday, Aug. 13, 2025
Page: 8 (bottom)
Column: “Asean Insight”