ASEAN MEMBER STATES COMMIT TO A SAFE, INCLUSIVE DIGITAL ENVIRONMENT

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN, May 9 (Bernama) -- ASEAN Member States have unanimously agreed that the digital environment must be safe, secure, inclusive and resilient to safeguard the rights and well-being of citizens, while emphasising the need for stronger collaboration to address shared regional challenges.

This commitment was clearly reflected in the endorsement of two key declarations by all 10 ASEAN Member States at the 17th Conference of ASEAN Ministers Responsible for Information (AMRI) and Related Meetings, which concluded on Wednesday.

The 'Kuala Lumpur Declaration on Safe and Responsible Use of Social Media Platforms for ASEAN', received full support from the regional bloc, signifying a collective pledge to foster a secure, inclusive, and responsible digital space across the region. 

The declaration represents a united stand by ASEAN nations to curb the misuse of social media, enhance digital security, and strengthen community harmony throughout the region.

In addition, AMRI endorsed the ‘Bandar Seri Begawan Declaration to Reaffirm the ASEAN Ministers Responsible for Information’s Commitment to Strategic Progress in Media and Information’. 

The declaration reinforces AMRI’s ongoing efforts to boost cooperation and advance the role of the media and information sector in shaping the ASEAN Community beyond 2025.

During the meeting, Malaysia shared updates on the ongoing development of the 'Guidelines for Safe and Responsible Use of Social Media Platforms for ASEAN', aimed at offering practical strategies to improve online safety and promote cyber wellness among member states.

The guidelines are expected to be finalised within the next three months, according to Deputy Communications Minister Teo Nie Ching.

Malaysia’s delegation to AMRI was led by Teo, while Communications Ministry secretary-general Mohamad Fauzi Md Isa headed the Malaysian delegation at the ASEAN Senior Officials Meeting Responsible for Information (SOMRI).

On the sidelines of AMRI, Teo, along with ASEAN ministers and senior information officials, as well as representatives from ASEAN Plus Three dialogue partners, had an audience with the Sultan of Brunei, Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah, at Istana Nurul Iman on Thursday.

Teo also held bilateral meetings with ministers from Brunei and Cambodia on Wednesday as well as China on Thursday.

The 17th AMRI and the 8th AMRI Plus Three Conference concluded on Wednesday, following the 22nd SOMRI and related engagements with ASEAN Plus Three countries and Japan held from May 5 to 6.

The 18th AMRI and its related meetings will be hosted by Cambodia in 2027

-- BERNAMA