H.E. Phạm Minh Chính, Prime Minister of Viet Nam,
H.E. Nguyen Manh Hung, Minister of Science and Technology of Vietnam,
Excellencies, ADGMIN Ministers,
Excellencies, Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen,
1. I am pleased to join you at the 6th ASEAN Digital Ministers' Meeting Opening Ceremony. I would like to acknowledge the Vietnamese Government for hosting this meeting in Hanoi—a city that has emerged as a vibrant hub for technology entrepreneurship and innovation in the region. This year’s ADGMIN is the first ASEAN Ministerial Meeting taking place in 2026.
2. This dynamic ecosystem makes it a fitting venue for our discussions on "Adaptive ASEAN: From Connectivity to Connected Intelligence," a theme that is particularly timely and highly relevant as converging technologies such as artificial intelligence, quantum computing, blockchain, and advanced data analytics are creating new drivers of competitiveness and productivity.
3. The digital transformation of our region has been profound- reshaping how we work, communicate, govern and innovate. With nearly 700 million people and a GDP of almost USD 4 trillion in 2024, ASEAN's digital economy has become a significant engine of growth, surpassing USD 300 billion in Gross Merchandise Value in 20251, with projections of up to USD 2 trillion by 20302. Building on this momentum, the ASEAN Digital Economy Framework Agreement represents our most ambitious and forward-looking commitment to date.
4. The substantial conclusion of negotiations in October 2025 marks a historic step toward establishing the world's first region-wide digital economy framework. We remain committed to fully concluding negotiations and aim for signing under the Philippines ASEAN Chairmanship this year.
Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,
5. ADGMIN serves as an important enabler for regional digital transformation. Our coordinated policies on emerging technologies such as AI and quantum computing will fundamentally shape our future and help maximise the potential of our region-wide digital economy for the prosperity and social progress of our citizens.
6. Taking this opportunity, I would like to extend my special appreciation to many ASEAN Member States for championing and contributing significantly to a range of impactful ADGMIN initiatives, including the ASEAN Regional Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT) hosted by Singapore, the establishment of ASEAN AI Safety Network initiated by Malaysia, and the development of ASEAN Digital Masterplan 2030 led by Viet Nam, as well as the upcoming ASEAN AI Summit proposed by the Philippines in September of this year, among others. Looking ahead, under the Philippines’ Chairship this year, new ADGMIN initiatives such as ASEAN Leaders’ Declaration on AI Powered MSME Growth, and the development ASEAN Digital Outlook initiative by Malaysia, will continue to shape the ASEAN’s shared digital future.
7. Please allow me to highlight three priority areas where we can focus our concerted efforts to advance a shared digital future.
8. First, transition from digital connectivity to connected intelligence to foster regional competitiveness, drive innovation, and enhance productivity. Integrating digital technologies—from e-commerce and data governance to AI, smart manufacturing, and quantum computing—will help our economies move up the value chain, support MSMEs, and unlock enormous opportunities for sustainable growth.
9. ASEAN must continue to deepen cooperation on cross-border digital trade. Concrete progress is evident: a borderless digital payments ecosystem is taking shape, with 26 operational QR and peer-to-peer payment linkages across ASEAN and partner economies; the Roadmap on Regionally Recognised Unique Business Identification Numbers (UBIN) represents a major step toward a trusted digital business identity network; and the ASEAN Single Window 2.0 will facilitate next-generation trade through electronic document exchange. Together, these initiatives form the backbone of ASEAN's connected ecosystem, positioning the region to adopt emerging technologies as they mature.
10. Second, foster structured public-private partnerships to enable businesses—especially MSMEs—to play a more active role in shaping digital policies. Governments alone cannot fully anticipate the realities of rapidly evolving digital technologies. Systematic engagement with technology providers, startups, and industry practitioners is essential to ensure our policies remain practical and future-ready.
11. In this regard, formalising the ASEAN Digital Forum and Digital Exhibition as flagship side events of ADGMIN meetings would provide structured channels for public-private engagement. By taking reference from the Digital Governance Forum hosted by Cambodia, this would allow private sector perspectives, insights, and recommendations to be embedded into ADGSOM and ADGMIN agendas, ensuring ASEAN digital policies and regulations remain industry-relevant while aligned with global standards.
12. Third, enhance adoption of emerging technologies by preparing our workforce for the digital future. The digital skills gap remains the most significant barrier to business transformation. Reskilling and upskilling workers, entrepreneurs, and MSME owners is therefore essential.
13. We should continue efforts to narrow digital capability gaps, promote inclusive growth, and ensure no one is left behind through ongoing initiatives such as AI Ready ASEAN, which aims to train up to 5.5 million people in AI literacy, and AI for MSME ASEAN, which focuses on building AI capabilities among MSMEs. We welcome further collaboration with all partners, including through public-private partnerships, to achieve this goal.
Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,
14. Our gathering today demonstrates our commitment to preparing for the digital future. Under Vietnam's leadership as ADGMIN Chair in 2026, we can together unlock the full potential of digital technologies toward advancing an inclusive digital future for our region. In this journey, ASEAN welcomes stronger partnerships with our Dialogue Partners, external partners, industries, and other stakeholders. This is what a pragmatic, borderless ASEAN economy looks like in practice— one built on results, not divided by boundaries but connected by intelligence.
15. Realising this vision requires strong leadership and positive collaboration. I would like to extend my appreciation to His Excellency, Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính for his strategic guidance and leadership, and to Minister Nguyen Manh Hung, Chair of the 6th ADGMIN, for his stewardship and chairmanship in advancing ASEAN's digital future, especially through the development of the ASEAN Digital Masterplan 2030.
I thank you.