GEORGE TOWN, December 12 – Civil society organizations across Southeast Asia are urging ASEAN Member States to adopt greater transparency and meaningful public participation as negotiations for the ASEAN Digital Economy Framework Agreement (DEFA) resume from 24 to 28 November in Kuala Lumpur.
Warning that the far-reaching pact—expected to shape regional rules on data flows, artificial intelligence, digital IDs, and emerging technologies—remains shrouded in secrecy despite its potential impact on everyday life.
With groups stressing the need to publish negotiating texts, release the full economic study underpinning projected USD 1 trillion gains, and establish structured avenues for civil society input to ensure the agreement upholds data privacy, consumer protection, and government regulatory space, in line with ASEAN’s people-centred principles.
