ASEAN member states pledge closer cooperation on cybersecurity

ASEAN member states have called for closer cybersecurity cooperation among ASEAN countries, stronger coordination of regional cybersecurity capacity building initiatives, and strengthening of ASEAN discussions with a specific focus on cybersecurity at the Ministerial and Senior Official levels. 

These conclusions were made at the ASEAN Ministerial Conference on Cybersecurity (AMCC) as part of the inaugural Singapore International Cyber Week (SICW). The AMCC in turn builds on the Meeting of the ASEAN Telecommunications and IT Ministers (TELMIN). 

Taking into account the multidisciplinary nature of cybersecurity, ASEAN member states agreed on the need to identify an appropriate ASEAN platform for discussing regional cybersecurity strategy and cooperation. The conference further proposed that the annual TELMIN scheduled to take place in November 2016 in Brunei take up the responsibility of considering and recommending an appropriate platform and approach for ASEAN leaders’ consideration.

ASEAN member states further recognised the value of gatherings like the Singapore-hosted AMCC, which brought together Ministers from the telecommunications and other relevant sectors from across the region. Furthermore, ASEAN member states agreed on the value of developing a set of practical cybersecurity norms of behaviour in ASEAN. These norms contribute towards ensuring a secure and resilient cyberspace which is a crucial enabler for ASEAN member states to harness digital technologies to achieve economic progress and improvement of living standards across the region.

Speaking at the conclusion of the AMCC, Singapore’s Minister for Communications and Information and Minister-in-charge of Cybersecurity Dr Yaacob Ibrahim. said that Singapore would be pleased to host a second edition of the AMCC during next year’s SICW, scheduled to be held in September 2017. 

On ASEAN cybersecurity cooperation, Minister Yaacob said, “It is crucial for ASEAN member states to work together to build a secure and resilient cyberspace. This is a crucial enabler for all of us to harness digital technologies to achieve economic progress and improve living standards for everyone in the vast and dynamic ASEAN region. In this regard, both the SICW and AMCC reflect Singapore’s commitment to work with our ASEAN partners to enhance regional cybersecurity discussions and cooperation.”