ASEAN is committed to mitigate issues surrounding cyber security in the region, as part of efforts in propelling the bloc towards a digitally-enabled economy that will stimulate a more sustainable, transformative, innovative and inclusive development.

In a joint statement released at a press conference chaired by Yang Berhormat Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Mustappa bin Haji Sirat, the Minister of Communications, following the conclusion of the 16th Asean Telecommunications and Information Technology Ministers Meeting (16th Asean TELMIN) and its related meetings hosted by Brunei I russalam, Asean communications ministers and its dialogue partners reaffirmed Asean's commitment in promoting regional cyber security collaborations and developing coordinated cyber security policies and approaches.

"In this regard, the ministers welcomed the proposed Asean Cybersecurity Cooperation Strategy which calls for stronger coordination of holistic cyber security policy and norms in Asean and the development of a robust cyber security cooperation and capacity building network," said Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Mustappa, who is also the Chairman of the 16th Asean TELMIN Meeting.

He said this will enhance the coordination of cyber security approaches with Asean Dialogue Partners and other stakeholders.

He said the ministers were also of the view that TELMIN may serve as a platform for dedicated cyber security discussions in Asean, given the strong inter-relationships between the ICT and cybersecurity domains.

During the 16th Asean TELMIN, the Asean Ministers also adopted the Framework on Personal Data Protection, which Yang Berhormat Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Mustappa said will establish a set of principles to guide the implementation of measures at both national and regional level to promote and strengthen personal data protection in the region.

In the joint statement, the ministers also welcomed the progress made in the first year of implementation of the Asean ICT Masterplan 2020 (AIM2020) and noted with satisfaction the development of a set of Key Performance Indicators to facilitatesthe monitoring of the impact of measure implemented under the vision, giving better insight on realising its goals and targets.

The ministers reiterated their support to further enhance the development of ICT policies, human resources as well as connectivity in the region, and noted the development of an Asean Framework on International Mobile Roaming to provide travellers and businesses with affordable access to international mobile roaming services within Asean.

On cooperation with its dialogue and development partners, the ministers in the joint statement also looks forward to further deepening the cooperation with its dialogue partners such as Japan, China, Korea and the US to enhance ICT policies, develop human resources, explore emerging technologies for adoption, and improve the capacity to address cyber security risks in the implementation of AIM2020.

The ministers also said they valued the importance of the Asean-Japan cooperation of cyber security and welcomed the launch of the Step 1 `The Asean-Japan Cyber security Hub', which covers cyber security exercises and a feasibility study of a physical hub. They also commended the progress made in the implementation of the Asean-Japan Collaboration Framework on Information Security', including the release of the Asean-Japan Critical Information Infrastructure Protection Guidelines.

Meanwhile, when asked about how Asean can work stronger together to bridge the digital gap between its member countries, Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Mustappa said the involvement of the private sector is crucial in the development of ICT.

Citing Brunei as an example, he said the mechanism here relies on the contributions of the telecom companies and policies and guidelines set by the regulator have also helped in efforts of bridging the digital divide. He said elements of this mechanism are also reflected in Asean's common strategy, particularly the AIM2020.

In the joint statement, the Asean ministers reiterated their commitment to pursue policy and regulatory dialogue and development partners, and the industry towards increasing commercial activities and investments.

They also called for the private sector to enhance connectivity and innovation in Asean through the development of knowledge and digital skill sets, as well as greater access to quality ICT infrastructure, services, applications and technologies, so as to support the goals of the Asean community.

Source:
@BRUDIRECT.COM

by BruDirect.com

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