The ASEAN–UNESCO Multistakeholder Forum on the Governance of Digital Platforms, held in Bangkok from October 20–22, 2025, brought together more than 350 participants from over 20 countries to address one of the region’s defining challenges: how to govern digital platforms in an era when they shape economies, societies, and daily life.
The event — co-organized by Thailand’s Ministry of Digital Economy and Society (MDES), the Electronic Transactions Development Agency (ETDA), the ASEAN Secretariat, UNESCO, and the Global Initiative on the Future of the Internet (GIFI) — underscored that no single nation or sector can solve digital challenges alone.
Thailand’s Digital Vision: Trust as the Cornerstone
Opening the forum, H.E. Mr. Chaichanok Chidchob, Minister of Digital Economy and Society, stressed Thailand’s readiness to act as a regional hub for digital cooperation, with a focus on safety, transparency, and trust — the “cornerstones of the digital economy.”
He outlined three priorities for ASEAN digital governance:
- Cross-border collaboration – to manage risks from global platforms operating across jurisdictions.
- User empowerment – ensuring citizens control their data and make informed digital choices.
- Fair digital economy – creating a level playing field that prevents monopolies and supports innovation.
Digital Platforms as the “Infrastructure of Life”
Experts at the forum described digital platforms as the “infrastructure of daily life.” Across ASEAN’s 650 million citizens, online platforms now drive everything from commerce and employment to education and social interaction.
The region’s digital platform economy, valued at USD 159 billion in 2025, is projected to hit USD 2 trillion by 2030. Yet, this rapid growth also brings challenges — data breaches, misinformation, online scams, and unfair competition — requiring coordinated governance to balance innovation with human rights.
Lessons from Europe: The Digital Services & Markets Acts
Representatives from the European Commission (DG CONNECT) and Coimisiún na Meán (Ireland) shared insights from implementing the EU’s Digital Services Act (DSA) and Digital Markets Act (DMA) — two landmark frameworks that combine transparency, fairness, and accountability.
The DSA targets systemic online risks such as disinformation and opaque algorithms, while the DMA promotes fair competition by curbing “gatekeeper” dominance. Together, they form a co-regulatory ecosystem where governments, platforms, and users share responsibility — a model ASEAN policymakers are now studying closely.
UNESCO: Grounding Digital Governance in Human Rights
UNESCO experts presented the Global Guidelines on the Governance of Digital Platforms, emphasizing a human rights–based approach that safeguards freedom of expression while promoting accountability.
Through initiatives like Social Media 4 Peace (SM4P) in Indonesia, UNESCO found that content moderation in local languages is crucial to preventing misinformation and ensuring cultural sensitivity. The agency also championed Media and Information Literacy (MIL) — teaching users to recognize bias, understand algorithms, and identify misinformation — as a vital layer of digital empowerment.
Toward ASEAN Digital Principles
The forum advanced regional consensus around ASEAN Digital Principles, a shared framework for responsible innovation.
Member States presented diverse perspectives:
- Indonesia stressed Digital Sovereignty and Platform Accountability.
- Thailand and Lao PDR introduced draft Recommendations on Digital Platform Governance in ASEAN, including nine priority areas such as AI governance, data protection, and disinformation management.
- Ireland proposed a Digital Regulator Network linking multiple oversight agencies for cross-border coordination.
Participants agreed that ASEAN should build governance on joint principles — not uniform laws — allowing each country to adapt to local realities while upholding transparency, fairness, and human rights.
Generative AI and the Next Frontier
As Generative AI reshapes information ecosystems, experts urged proactive governance based on “Safety by Design.”
This means embedding ethics, fairness, and security into technology architecture — preventing misuse of algorithms, deepfakes, or biased systems before they emerge.
The forum concluded with three guiding pillars for ASEAN’s digital future:
- Transparency – open data and algorithmic clarity
- Accountability – shared responsibility across sectors
- Empowerment – giving users the literacy and rights to control their digital experiences
Building a Human-Centered Digital Future
The ASEAN–UNESCO Multistakeholder Forum marked a milestone in regional digital diplomacy — proving that effective regulation is not about limiting freedom, but about ensuring freedom and responsibility coexist.
By fostering collaboration among governments, industry, academia, and civil society, ASEAN is shaping a digital governance model that is inclusive, rights-based, and future-ready.
