1.    The Senior Economic Officials Meeting (SEOM) of ASEAN successfully resolved all outstanding issues in the negotiations of the ASEAN Digital Economy Framework Agreement (DEFA) during its Second Meeting of the 57th ASEAN SEOM, held in Manila, Philippines on 27-29 May 2026. This marks the successful conclusion of the negotiations on ASEAN’s first region-wide digital economy agreement and a major milestone in advancing the ASEAN Leader’s vision of a digitally integrated, secure, interoperable, competitive, and inclusive regional economy.

2.    The ASEAN DEFA is expected to play a transformative role in unlocking the full potential of ASEAN’s digital economy, which studies indicate could reach as much as USD 2 trillion by 2030 with its successful implementation. The outcome follows the 27th ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) Council Meeting held on 7 May 2026 in Cebu, Philippines where Ministers directed ASEAN SEOM to resolve all remaining negotiating issues, underscoring the strategic importance of the DEFA as ASEAN’s response to a rapidly evolving global economic landscape and its commitment to building an open, rules-based, and seamlessly connected digital economy. 

Download the full statement here.

The post Statement of the Chairperson of the ASEAN Senior Economic Officials (SEOM) on the Conclusion of ASEAN DEFA Negotiations appeared first on ASEAN Main Portal.

​