SINGAPORE – On the sidelines of the 10th ASEAN Ministerial Conference on Cybersecurity (AMCC), Dr Kao Kim Hourn, Secretary-General of Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), held a high-level discussion with H.E. Ernst Noorman, Ambassador-at-Large for Cyber Affairs of the Netherlands.
The meeting focused on exploring collaborative opportunities to enhance cybersecurity cooperation under the framework of the ASEAN-Netherlands Development Partnership.
Dialogue Focus: Cybersecurity and Shared Digital Priorities
During the meeting, the two officials exchanged views on ways ASEAN and the Netherlands can partner more closely on cyber resilience, digital risk management and capacity-building for member states.
The discussion forms part of a broader push by ASEAN to deepen its engagement in emerging issues such as cybersecurity as part of its digital economy agenda.
Dr Kao emphasised that as the digital ecosystem in Southeast Asia expands rapidly, so too do the threats that come with it, positioning collaboration with external partners like the Netherlands as vital to regional security.
This aligns with previous remarks by the ASEAN Secretary-General on the urgency of coordinated action to combat cyber-crime and protect critical digital infrastructure.
Context: Why This Matters
The location of the meeting is significant, Singapore, a regional digital hub, is hosting the AMCC where senior officials from ASEAN member states are gathering to discuss cybersecurity challenges.
The Netherlands, with its advanced digital infrastructure and experience in cyber governance, offers a valuable partnership opportunity for ASEAN.
For ASEAN, strengthening ties around cybersecurity fits into its broader strategy of digital transformation and economic integration.
A recent open statement by Dr Kao noted that the digital economy in ASEAN is accelerating and demands enhanced trust, security, and cooperation.
Potential Outcomes and Implications
From the discussion, several concrete outcomes may follow:
- Launch of joint programmes between ASEAN member states and the Netherlands to build capacity in cyber incident response.
- Shared frameworks for cyber-threat intelligence-sharing and workshops on safeguarding digital infrastructure.
- Broader inclusion of cybersecurity within the ASEAN–Netherlands development partnership, ensuring it aligns with digital economy goals under ASEAN’s Agenda 2045.
Such initiatives could help bolster ASEAN member states’ preparedness against cross-border cyber-threats and contribute to a more secure digital environment across Southeast Asia.
Regional Relevance for Malaysia and Beyond
For Malaysia which currently holds the ASEAN chairmanship for 2025 the meeting underscores how digital and cyber issues are increasingly being integrated into high-level diplomatic agendas.
A strengthened partnership with the Netherlands may bring technical expertise and deeper engagement for Malaysia and other ASEAN states.
Furthermore, the emphasis on cyber collaboration highlights for citizens and businesses in the region that digital growth must go hand-in-hand with security assurance and capacity-building.
Sources: ASEAN
