ASEAN’s Digital Economy Framework Agreement was signed in Manila on Saturday, in conjunction with the 28th ASEAN Economic Community Council Meeting, and Secretary-General Kao Kim Hourn accepted the agreement from Philippine President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., the ASEAN chair for 2026, at the opening of the 49th ASEAN Summit on Sunday. The secretariat calls the agreement a major milestone toward an open, secure, interoperable, competitive and inclusive regional digital economy. It is expected to enter into force in early 2027.
ASEAN signs digital economy framework pact in Manila
ASEAN member states signed the bloc's Digital Economy Framework Agreement in Manila on Saturday, and the text was handed to Secretary-General Kao Kim Hourn at the opening of the 49th ASEAN Summit on Sunday, with entry into force expected in early 2027.
Why it matters: The framework is the bloc's first region-wide pact on digital trade and data, setting common rules for a digital economy ASEAN has long projected to grow into one of its main engines.
Data as of ASEAN Secretariat releases of November 14 and November 15, 2026, read in full via the estate browser route. The secretariat's releases name no individual signatories and give no terms beyond the expected entry into force in early 2027. Developing item.
Sources
- Secretary-General of ASEAN attends the Signing Ceremony of the ASEAN Digital Economic Framework Agreement (DEFA) - ASEAN Secretariat (asean.org) - 2026-11-14
- Secretary-General of ASEAN Attends the Handover of the ASEAN Digital Economic Framework Agreement (DEFA) - ASEAN Secretariat (asean.org) - 2026-11-15