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Negotiations on ASEAN Digital Economy Framework Agreement (DEFA) concluded is Singapore COMMENTARY, cited as COMMENTARY 2026-06-19-negotiations-on-asean-digital-economy-framework-agreement-defa-concluded 2026 and first recorded in 2026.
DISCLAIMER: This update is intended for your general information only. It is not intended to be nor should it be regarded as or relied upon as legal advice. You should consult a qualified legal professional before taking any action or omitting to take action in relation to matters discussed herein.
WongPartnership LLP (UEN: T08LL0003B) is a limited liability law partnership registered in Singapore under the Limited Liability Partnerships
Act 2005.
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY,
TECHNOLOGY & DATA
JUNE 2026
Negotiations on ASEAN Digital Economy Framework
Agreement (DEFA) Concluded
On 31 May 2026, the Ministry of Trade and Industry announced that Singapore and ASEAN Member
States had successfully concluded negotiations on the ASEAN Digital Economy Framework Agreement
(DEFA) at the Second Meeting of the 57th ASEAN Senior Economic Officials Meeting (SEOM) held in
Manila, Philippines, from 27 to 29 May 2026.
Signing is targeted to take place at the 47th ASEAN Summit in November 2026.
Building on ASEAN’s existing digital economy commitments, the DEFA is ASEAN’s first comprehensive, region-wide agreement dedicated to the digital economy, establishing common rules and frameworks across several areas. These include:
Facilitating digital trade and simplifying digital trade procedures;
Supporting trusted cross-border data flows;
Enhancing digital payments and electronic transactions;
Strengthening online consumer protection;
Promoting greater digital interoperability across the region; and
Addressing emerging areas such as artificial intelligence, financial technology (fintech), and source code protection.
The DEFA is intended to make it easier for businesses, particularly small and medium enterprises, to access opportunities in Southeast Asia’s growing digital economy, enable consumers to transact with greater confidence, support quality jobs and equip Singapore and ASEAN for the next phase of economic development.
If you would like information and/or assistance on the above or any other area of law, you may wish to contact the Partner at WongPartnership whom you normally work with or any of the following Partners:
LAM Chung Nian
Head – Intellectual Property,
Technology & Data Group d: +65 6416 8271
e: chungnian.lam
@wongpartnership.com
Click here to view Chung Nian’s CV.
Kylie PEH
Partner – Intellectual Property,
Technology & Data Group d: +65 6416 8259
e: kylie.peh
@wongpartnership.com
Click here to view Kylie’s CV.
Digital Economy | ASEAN DEFA
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