In a landmark development for regional integration, ASEAN Member States have successfully concluded negotiations for the ASEAN Digital Economy Framework Agreement (DEFA) on May 29, 2026. The milestone was achieved during the Second ASEAN Senior Economic Officials’ Meeting for the 57th Meeting of the ASEAN Economic Ministers (SEOM 2/57) held in Manila.
Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Ma. Cristina A. Roque, who also serves as the 2026 Chair of the ASEAN Economic Community Council, welcomed the successful conclusion of the talks.
“The completion of the DEFA negotiations is a historic milestone for ASEAN, demonstrating the remarkable progress we can achieve through unity and shared purpose,” Secretary Roque said. “Following the steadfast leadership of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and the guidance of ASEAN Leaders at the Summit in Cebu earlier this month, the conclusion of DEFA highlights how regional solidarity can unlock new avenues for growth and deliver tangible benefits to our people. This achievement not only sets a new benchmark for ASEAN’s digital transformation but also builds a foundation for a more inclusive and innovative future for all.”
The conclusion of the DEFA negotiations marks a major achievement for the Philippines’ 2026 ASEAN Chairship, which had identified the signing of the agreement as a Priority Economic Deliverable (PED). As ASEAN Member States begin domestic legal processes ahead of the expected signing at the 49th ASEAN Summit in November 2026, the DEFA is poised to become the region’s most comprehensive agreement on the digital economy.
This landmark pact aims to accelerate regional digital transformation and economic integration by strengthening cooperation in digital trade, cross-border e-commerce, electronic payments, digital identities, cybersecurity, data governance, and emerging technologies. This will empower businesses and consumers to participate more confidently in the digital marketplace.
“For the Philippines, the DEFA is set to bring real benefits to everyday Filipinos,” Secretary Roque emphasized. “It will help attract new investments, encourage innovation, and improve productivity nationwide. The DEFA is expected to empower local businesses, especially MSMEs, by opening up more opportunities and supporting job creation across the country. Most importantly, it will help ensure that the digital transformation is inclusive—so that more Filipinos can take part in and benefit from a safer, more connected digital economy.”
Secretary Roque also added that under the agreement, ASEAN Member States will enforce robust personal data protections and online consumer safeguards, ensuring a trusted and conducive business environment for regional digital trade.
The DEFA directly complements the DTI’s 5-Point MSME Agenda, particularly its focus on advancing digitalization, expanding market access, strengthening innovation, and equipping Filipino enterprises with the tools and opportunities needed to compete in an increasingly digital economy.
The agreement comes at a crucial time for the Philippine digital economy, which continues to see sustained growth. According to the Philippine Statistics Authority, the country’s digital economy reached P2.25 trillion in 2024, contributing 8.5% to the national GDP and supporting approximately 11.3 million jobs.
Furthermore, the latest “e-Conomy SEA 2025 Report” by Google, Temasek, and Bain & Company estimates that the Philippine digital economy reached $36 billion in 2025, driven largely by the expansion of e-commerce, digital payments, and online services.
At the regional level, the implementation of the DEFA is projected to help double the value of ASEAN’s digital economy, driving it from approximately $1 trillion to $2 trillion by 2030. END
For further information on the release, please get in touch with:
DTI-Bureau of International Trade Relations (BITR)
4F DTI International Building, 375 Sen. Gil J. Puyat Ave., Makati City
Telephones: (+632) 8465.3300 loc. 439
Email Address: BITR@dti.gov.ph
Website: www.dti.gov.ph