Indonesia, together with ASEAN member states, is targeting the substantive completion of the ASEAN Digital Economy Framework Agreement (DEFA) in 2025. The initiative, discussed at the 48th High Level Task Force on ASEAN Economic Integration (HLTF-EI) in Malaysia, seeks to harmonize digital economy regulations across the region to accelerate growth. Indonesia’s delegation, led by Edi Prio Pambudi, emphasized the country’s commitment to advancing DEFA, noting that negotiations have reached 55% completion, with a goal of at least 70% substantive agreement this year.
DEFA covers critical areas such as electronic transactions, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity cooperation, and digital talent development. As the initiator of DEFA negotiations in 2023, Indonesia supports flexible talks to meet Malaysia’s 2025 Priority Economic Deliverables and prepare for full signing in 2026 under the Philippines’ ASEAN Chairmanship. The HLTF-EI meeting also addressed global economic challenges, trade uncertainties, and ASEAN’s post-2025 strategic plan.
