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The conclusion of negotiations on the ASEAN Digital Economy Framework Agreement (DEFA) in May 2026 marks a major milestone in ASEAN’s efforts to build a more integrated digital economy. As the region moves toward the agreement’s expected signing later this year, attention is increasingly shifting from negotiation to implementation. The key challenge now is how to translate regional commitments into effective and interoperable policies across diverse national regulatory systems.
Organized by the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung’s Regional Economic Programme Asia (SOPAS), this seminar brought together leading experts to discuss the next phase of ASEAN’s digital transformation. The program examined the implementation of DEFA and its implications for digital trade, data governance, cybersecurity, digital infrastructure, innovation, and regional economic integration.
Discussions also addressed emerging issues shaping the digital economy, including artificial intelligence governance, digital trust, online scams and cyber resilience, economic security, and international regulatory cooperation. Particular attention was given to how ASEAN can balance openness, trust, and inclusiveness while strengthening its role in shaping regional digital governance.
Agenda
Wednesday, June 17 2026
Welcome Remarks
- Mr. Paul Linnarz, Country Representative Japan, KAS Japan Office and Director, Regional Economic Programme Asia (SOPAS)
- Dr. Iqbal Singh Sevea, Director of the Institute of South Asian Studies (ISAS), National University of Singapore (NUS)
Keynote 1: Digital Transformation and Competitiveness in Europe
- Prof. Dr. Hubertus Bardt, Managing Director, German Economic Institute, Germany
Keynote 2: Digital Trade and Economic Integration in Southeast Asia
- Dr. Karthik Nachiappan, Research Fellow, Institute of South Asian Studies (ISAS), National University of Singapore
Session 1: Digital Transformation and Competitiveness in Europe – Interoperability, Trust, and Cross-Border Flows
Panelists:
- Ms. Rashmi Jose, Senior Policy Advisor, International Institute for Sustainable Development, Switzerland
- Dr. Erik van der Marel, Chief Economist, European Centre for International Political Economy, Belgium
- Dr. Hildegunn Nordås, Senior Associate, Council on Economic Policies, Switzerland
- Dr. Minako Morita-Jaeger, Senior Research Fellow in International Trade, University of Sussex, United Kingdom
- Discussion and Q&A moderated by
Prof. Dr. Seokwoo Kim, Professor, University of Seoul, South Korea
Session 2: Cybersecurity and Digital Trust – Resilience and Economic Security in the Digital Economy
Panelists:
- Mr. Matej Šimalčík, Executive Director, Central European Institute of Asian Studies, Slovakia
- Mr. Rajesh Sandhu, Advisor, Global Anti Scam Alliance, Singapore
- Ms. Wakana Asano, Research Associate, API Takano Fellow, International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) Asia, Singapore
- Mr. Shyam Krishnakumar, Executive Director, The Pranava Institute, India
- Dr. Minako Morita-Jaeger, Senior Research Fellow in International Trade, University of Sussex, United Kingdom
- Discussion and Q&A moderated by
Prof. Dr. Mark Findlay, Distinguished Fellow, British Institute of International and Comparative Law, United Kingdom
Session 3: Innovation, Industrial Policy, and Intellectual Property
Panelists:
- Mr. Rei Kataoka, Digital Markets Principal, Digital and International Affairs Policy Group, Japan Fair Trade Commission, Japan
- Ms. Dyuti Pandya, Analyst, European Centre for International Political Economy, Belgium
- Ms. Mahirah Mahusin, Policy Fellow, Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia, Indonesia
- Dr. Jiwei Qian, Senior Research Fellow, National University of Singapore, Singapore
- Mr. James Collins, Intellectual Property Counsel at Mastercard, Singapore
- Discussion and Q&A moderated by
Prof. Dr. Henry Gao, Professor of Law, Singapore Management University, Singapore
Thursday, June 18 2026
Session 4: Digital Connectivity, Infrastructure, and Inclusive Transformation
Lead Remarks:
- Dr. Sineenat Sermcheep, Director of ASEAN Studies Centre, Faculty of Economics, Chulalongkorn University, Thailand
- Dr. Francis Mark Quimba, Senior Research Fellow, Philippine Institute for Development Studies, Philippines
- Dr. Vutha Hing, Lecturer, Adelaide University, Australia
- Dr. Jiwei Qian, Senior Research Fellow, National University of Singapore, Singapore
- Ms. Serene Ho, Senior Digital Development Specialist for East-Asia Pacific, World Bank Group, Singapore
- Discussion and Q&A moderated by
Dr. Maria Monica Wihardja, Fellow, ISEAS – Yusof Ishak Institute, Singapore
Session 5: Digital Trade Architecture, DEFA Implementation, and Regulatory Alignments
Lead Remarks:
- Ms. Wakana Asano, Research Associate, API Takano Fellow, International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) Asia, Singapore
- Dr. Deborah Elms, Head of Trade Policy, Hinrich Foundation, Singapore
- Dr. Françoise Nicolas, Senior Research Fellow, French Institute of International Relations, France
- Dr. Sven Callebaut, Digital Trade Policy Adviser, Cambodia
- Mr. Nicolas Köhler-Suzuki, Advisor for Trade and Economic Security, Jacques Delors Institute, France
- Discussion and Q&A moderated by
Mr. Stephen Olson, Visiting Senior Fellow, ISEAS – Yusof Ishak Institute, Singapore
Study Visit: Institute of South Asian Studies (ISAS) at the National University of Singapore (NUS)
Roundtable Discussion with ISAS Guest Experts: Navigating the Digital Domain: Governance, Trust, and Economic Security in the Indo-Pacific.
Closing Remarks
- Mr. Paul Linnarz, Country Representative Japan, KAS Japan Office and Director, Regional Economic Programme Asia (SOPAS)
- Dr. Iqbal Singh Sevea, Director of the Institute of South Asian Studies (ISAS), National University of Singapore (NUS)
