ASEAN Targets Signing of Digital Economy Agreement DEFA in November 2026

All ASEAN member countries are committed to completing all substantive negotiations at the 21st (final) round in May 2026.

Jakarta (ANTARA) - Coordinating Minister for the Economy Airlangga Hartarto stated that ASEAN member countries have agreed on the completion of negotiations for the ASEAN Digital Economy Framework Agreement (DEFA) during the 27th ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) Council (AECC) Meeting in Cebu, Philippines.

From this agreement, the regional digital economy framework is targeted to be signed in November 2026.

“All ASEAN member countries are committed to completing all substantive negotiations at the 21st (final) round in May 2026, based on the AECC agreement in Cebu. Our firm target is that the signing of the DEFA agreement must be carried out in November this year (ASEAN Summit), after going through the legal scrubbing process and domestic consultations in each country,” Airlangga said in his statement in Jakarta on Thursday.

On that occasion, Airlangga explained that the current development of the digital economy is very dynamic and must be responded to wisely by ASEAN.

After signing, the ratification process by each ASEAN member country is targeted to be completed within 180 days. This reflects the urgency and collective commitment to quickly realise the benefits of DEFA for the region.

For Indonesia, DEFA aligns with the implementation of the National Digital Economy Strategy 2030 and supports OECD accession, which includes strengthening digital infrastructure, developing digital human resources, transforming SMEs, and enhancing cyber security regulations.

Through DEFA, Indonesia can strengthen policies based on international practices, attract investment in high-tech sectors, strengthen national data sovereignty, and build an inclusive and competitive digital ecosystem, including for SMEs.

ASEAN is taking a major step through the ASEAN DEFA initiative, which was initiated during Indonesia’s 2023 Chairmanship.

As the world’s first comprehensive regional digital economy framework, DEFA is expected to be the main driver of ASEAN digital economic integration while strengthening the region’s position as a global digital centre.

Based on a BCG study, a comprehensive DEFA agreement could increase ASEAN’s digital economy value from $1 trillion to $2 trillion by 2030.