Landmark ASEAN digital pact will guide region on AI, digital economy: Marcos

Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr announced at the 49th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit in Singapore that the signing of a landmark regional digital economy agreement would provide a roadmap for countries to abide by, particularly in sectors such as artificial intelligence (AI). Marcos emphasized that discussions on crucial industries like AI should not be confined to a single region or sector.

The ASEAN Digital Economy Framework Agreement (DEFA) aims to establish common rules and frameworks that facilitate digital trade, support trusted cross-border data flows, improve digital payments and electronic transactions, and strengthen online consumer protection. The Philippines, currently chairing ASEAN, initiated negotiations for the DEFA in May 2023.

Marcos mentioned that during the country's term as chair, he noticed that ASEAN was not discussing AI enough, leading to the idea of the ASEAN Power Grid, a concept adapted for AI. In July, the US imposed a tariff on Philippine exports due to concerns about forced labor in goods, while Philippine exports to the US accounted for 15.9% of its total exports in 2025.