Jakarta, INTI - Minister of Communication and Digital Affairs Meutya Hafid emphasized that the speed of digital transformation in the ASEAN region should not be measured solely by the adoption of advanced technologies or the size of the digital economy, but by how broadly the benefits of those technologies are felt by society.
She delivered the remarks during the discussion session titled “Is ASEAN Moving Fast Enough?” at the World Economic Forum 2026 in Davos.
According to Meutya, the key question is not whether ASEAN is moving fast, but fast for whom and toward what goals.
She noted that discussions around digital acceleration often focus narrowly on artificial intelligence (AI) adoption rates and digital economy figures.
However, the greatest challenge for Indonesia and ASEAN, she said, lies in ensuring that these technologies are accessible in an equitable manner to hundreds of millions of people across the region.
“For us in Indonesia and most ASEAN member states, the definition of speed is how quickly we can distribute technology, especially to the 700 million people across the region. Indonesia alone has 280 million people spread over 17,000 islands. The biggest challenge is ensuring that technology is available to everyone,” Meutya said in Davos, Switzerland, on Thursday, January 22, 2026.
According to Meutya, inclusivity is an integral part of digital readiness.
The pace of infrastructure development, she noted, will be meaningless if it is not matched by the speed of digital literacy, particularly among younger generations.
She emphasized that the demographic dividend in Asia will only translate into real advantages if it is supported by skills.
“The demographic dividend will only be beneficial if people are skilled. So we need to look at how quickly we can educate and improve digital literacy among our population,” she added.
DEFA and ASEAN’s Neutrality as Strategic Advantages
The Minister of Communication and Digital Affairs explained that ASEAN is also finalizing the Digital Economy Framework Agreement (DEFA) to accelerate the development of the region’s digital economy.
The framework is designed not merely as a trade agreement, but as an “operating system,” that strengthens connectivity among member states.
One tangible example of this interoperability is the success of the QRIS digital payment system, which can now be used across borders, including in Thailand and Malaysia.
In addition, ASEAN’s neutral stance is seen as a strategic strength that enables broad access to technology and investment from around the world.
“ASEAN’s neutrality provides certainty that the region’s openness is always available to the global community,” Meutya emphasized.
Conclusion
Meutya’s remarks at WEF 2026 underline a broader vision of digital transformation in ASEAN, one that prioritizes inclusivity, skills development, and regional cooperation over headline technological adoption alone. As ASEAN advances frameworks such as DEFA and strengthens cross-border interoperability, the true measure of progress will lie in how effectively digital technologies reach and empower all segments of society across the region.
Read more: Personal Data Protection and AI Adoption Become Key Pillars of Indonesia’s Digital Transformation