Southeast Asia Regional Programme Ministerial Forum

First Ministerial/High-level Dialogue

Building a Smarter ASEAN for an Inclusive Future

Moderator: Dr. NAM Young-sook
Economic Advisor to the President and Chairperson of the Presidential Committee on New Southern Policy, Korea 
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About the session

COVID-19 has accelerated the transition to a digital economy, embracing 4IR technologies such as artificial intelligence, big data, 5G networks, blockchains and Internet of Things. Given ongoing and rapid digital transformations, addressing gaps in digital infrastructure, access, inclusion, skills, governance and policy is essential to ensure inclusive recovery and growth. Responding to demands to stimulate all areas of the economy encompassing digital development, ASEAN has launched the ASEAN Digital Masterplan 2025 and is accelerating inclusive digital transformation as an integral part of its recovery strategies within the ASEAN Comprehensive Recovery Framework. The OECD has taken active steps to harness digital transformation and to address relevant challenges through the OECD Going Digital project and the OECD AI Policy Observatory.
Against this backdrop, this session is designed for Ministers and high-level representatives to discuss how OECD and Southeast Asian countries can leverage digital transformation to build a “smarter ASEAN” and accomplish a sustainable and inclusive economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. Ministers and representatives will be invited to discuss how their countries are adapting to digital transformation in the areas of skills development, smart cities development, finance, trade and investment, consumer protection and empowerment in e-commerce, taxation, SMEs, competition, tourism and digital governance.
The session will draw on the existing work streams of SEARP, with a focus on Innovation, SMEs, Education and Skills, Sustainable Infrastructure, Tax and Good Regulatory Practice. 

In particular, Ministers are invited to address questions such as: 
  1.  What government measures could be implemented to support post-COVID recovery in Southeast Asia, including the digital transition? 
  2. How can international co-operation, including between governments and the private sector, support Southeast Asia in achieving a resilient recovery? 
  3. How can the OECD SEARP support Southeast Asian countries in achieving an inclusive digital transition and a sustainable socio-economic recovery?