ASEAN’s journey towards economic integration has been accelerated over the past decade, with continued efforts to enhance regulatory framework and recognise the importance of digitalisation to promote economic competitiveness and inclusive development. Prior to 2020, ASEAN’s digital transformation has been progressing steadily, however, uneven developments persist in some parts of the region, hindered by gaps in digital infrastructure development, regulation harmonisation and digital literacy. While some ASEAN Member States (AMS) were rapidly adopting digital transformation around e-government, digital banking and moving towards innovation systems, others were lagging due to limited broadband access, lack of skilled digital talent, and affordability issues.

Recognising different digital regulatory maturity and readiness across AMS, ASEAN took its first step in strengthening its digital regulatory integration by establishing the ASEAN Coordinating Committee on Electronic Commerce (ACCEC) in 2016 with a mandate to harness the transformative potential of e-commerce and digital technologies in driving regional economic growth. The ACCEC played a vital role in coordinating cross-sectoral efforts and in the development of the ASEAN Agreement on Electronic Commerce, which was signed in 2019 and entered into force in December 2021, with the aim to facilitate e-commerce transactions, deepen cooperation among member states, and foster trust and confidence in digital platforms. ACCEC also developed the Work Plan of the ASEAN Agreement on Electronic Commerce (2021–2025), which was endorsed at the 53rd ASEAN Economic Ministers’ (AEM) Meeting in September 2021, to provide a coherent and harmonised approach for AMS to implement the Agreement. In 2021, ACCEC evolved into the ASEAN Coordinating Committee on E-Commerce and Digital Economy (ACCED) to reflect the cross-sectoral process and facilitate cross-cutting efforts needed to synergise e-commerce and digital economy efforts.

In 2021, the Bandar Seri Begawan Roadmap (BSBR): an ASEAN Digital Transformation Agenda to Accelerate ASEAN’s Economic Recovery and Digital Economic Integration (BSBR) was endorsed. Building upon these strategic roadmaps and coordinated efforts, ASEAN has charted concrete initiatives to elevate digital regulatory integration, collaboration, and the region’s digital transformation.

Currently, negotiations are ongoing for the ASEAN Digital Economy Framework Agreement (DEFA), with substantial conclusion achieved at the 47th ASEAN Summit in October 2025. The conclusion of the negotiations and the signing of ASEAN DEFA is expected to take place in 2026, which will mark a critical step in ASEAN’s journey towards a digitally-enabled and future-ready economy.