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STATEMENT BY MS KAREN ONG, DEPUTY PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE OF SINGAPORE TO THE UNITED NATIONS, ON BEHALF OF THE ASSOCIATION OF SOUTHEAST ASIAN NATIONS (ASEAN) AT THE SECOND COMMITTEE OF THE 81ST SESSION OF THE UNITED NATIONS JOINT DISCUSSION ON

9 October 2026

AGENDA ITEM 14 (INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGIES FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT) AND AGENDA ITEM 19 (GLOBALISATION AND INTERDEPENDENCE) 9 OCTOBER 2026

Thank you Mr Chair,

I have the honour to deliver this statement on behalf of the Member States of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). ASEAN aligns itself with the statement just delivered by Uruguay on behalf of the Group of 77 and China.

2.                          Digital transformation is reshaping globalisation and deepening interdependence of our economies and societies. Technologies, data, services, and ideas increasingly flow across borders, creating new opportunities for sustainable development while bringing challenges that no country can address alone. ASEAN is committed to building an integrated, secure, trusted, innovative and inclusive digital community that empowers our citizens and businesses to access opportunities, build innovation capabilities, and thrive in the global digital economy. Allow me to highlight five priorities for ASEAN.

3.                          One, Access for all. Connectivity remains the foundation of ASEAN’s digital development. We are committed to expanding secure, inclusive and affordable access for all, and promoting inclusive digital participation. We must ensure that our people can participate meaningfully and safely in the digital society. 

4.                          Two, Skills for the future. ASEAN is also strengthening digital literacy, promoting lifelong learning, and strengthening a future-ready digital workforce and digital talent. This will empower our citizens and businesses to participate effectively in the digital economy.

5.                          Three, an Ecosystem that is trusted and secure. ASEAN is strengthening cybersecurity resilience and enhancing cooperation. We are also pleased to have concluded negotiations on the ASEAN Digital Economy Framework Agreement to advance the vision of a digitally integrated, secure, interoperable, competitive and inclusive regional economy. This builds on ASEAN’s longstanding journey of economic integration through the ASEAN Free Trade Area which laid the foundation for a single market and production base. 

6.                          Four, Artificial Intelligence that benefits our people. ASEAN is deepening cooperation on AI to further advance our capacity to address emerging opportunities and risks.  The ASEAN Responsible AI Roadmap provides actionable steps for responsible AI to flourish in our region. ASEAN is advancing this work through the ASEAN Working Group on AI Governance and other relevant regional mechanisms. Next year, under Singapore’s Chairmanship of ASEAN, we aim to harness AI as a driver of inclusive growth and social progress building on the efforts of successive ASEAN Chairs, including the Philippines’ initiative this year to empower micro, small, and medium enterprises, to adopt AI. ASEAN is currently advancing the establishment of the ASEAN AI Safety Network to strengthen institutional capacity to coordinate AI safety efforts, while unlocking AI's potential and mitigating associated risks.

7.                          Five, No one left behind. This principle guides our digital transformation. We are also enhancing green digital transformation and regional energy connectivity, including through advancing the ASEAN Power Grid, to power our expanding digital economy sustainably and strengthen regional resilience. ASEAN seeks to ensure that no individual, enterprise or community is left behind.

Mr Chair,

8.                          Together, the points I shared today spell A-S-E-A-N. They reflect our ambition for deeper regional integration – connecting our economies through trade, our societies through digital technologies, and our energy systems through greater regional connectivity.

9.                          No country can navigate these transformations alone. ASEAN will continue working with the United Nations and all partners to bridge divides, and strengthen capabilities. Together, we can ensure that digital transformation, globalisation, and interdependence remain forces for inclusive development, innovation, and long-term sustainability.

Thank you.