US-ASEAN Business Council Organizes ICT Industry Mission to the 5th ASEAN Digital Ministers (ADGMIN) Meeting
(Bangkok) – From January 15 to January 17, 2025, the US-ASEAN Business Council (USABC) led a delegation of senior executives from 19 prominent U.S. companies to the 5th ASEAN Digital Ministers’ Meeting (ADGMIN) in Bangkok, Thailand. The delegation was headed by Ambassador Brian McFeeters (ret.), Senior Vice President and Regional Managing Director of USABC, and Mr. Seow Hiong Goh, Executive Director of Global Policy & Government Affairs for the Asia Pacific region at Cisco Systems, Inc., who also serves as Chair of the Council’s ICT Committee.
This Mission provided a valuable platform for U.S. industry leaders to engage with multiple ASEAN Digital Ministers, advocating for private sector involvement in ASEAN’s priority areas, addressing key emerging issues, and sharing insights on how U.S. industries can support ASEAN governments in advancing the 5th ADGMIN’s theme, “Secure, Innovative, Inclusive: Shaping ASEAN’s Digital Future.”
Throughout the three-day mission, the USABC delegation was able to engage in key discussions, including the ADGMIN + U.S. Plenary and ADGSOM + U.S. Consultative meetings. The delegation held productive dialogues with several ASEAN Digital Ministers and Digital Senior Officials, including bilateral meetings with H.E. Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, Secretary-General of ASEAN; H.E. Chea Vandeth, Minister of Post and Telecommunications of Cambodia; H.E. Gobind Singh Deo, Minister of Digital of Malaysia; H.E. Ivan John Uy, Secretary of the Department of Information & Communications Technology of the Philippines; Mr. Ang Wee Keong, Assistant Chief Executive of Infocomm Media Development Authority of Singapore; and Mr. Phonpasit Phissamay, Director General of Ministry of Technology and Communications of the Lao PDR. The delegation also interacted with the U.S. Government delegation led by Ambassador Steve Lang, U.S. Coordinator for International Communications and Information Policy, U.S. State Department’s Bureau of Cyberspace and Digital Policy.
During these engagements, the USABC delegation had the opportunity to highlight key digital policy recommendations, address challenges, and share the ICT Committee’s 2025 priorities in critical areas such as artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, data governance, digital infrastructure, and digital trade. The delegation also emphasized ongoing support for initiatives aimed at unlocking the region’s digital economy, such as the ASEAN Digital Economy Framework Agreement (DEFA).
To further promote collaboration and dialogue between U.S. industry leaders and ASEAN Digital Ministers, the Council hosted a Dinner Dialogue on January 17. The event featured H.E. Dr. Kao Kim Hourn; H.E. Prasert Jantararuangtong, Thailand's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Digital Economy and Society; and Ambassador Steve Lang, who delivered keynote remarks.
"The USABC member companies participating in this business mission have a lot to offer ASEAN Member States in the areas of responsible AI, cybersecurity and digital infrastructure to further build the region’s digital economy. Our delegation values its close cooperation with the U.S. Government delegation in this endeavor," stated Ambassador McFeeters (ret.).
"Digital technologies, including artificial intelligence, cybersecurity and connectivity, are an essential foundation for the economic growth and resiliency of ASEAN countries. The dialogue between ASEAN Digital Ministers and U.S. companies is invaluable to ensure these technologies are innovatively and effectively implemented to strengthen ASEAN’s broader economy,” said Seow Hiong Goh, the Council’s ICT Committee Chair. “We look forward to continuing our close collaboration in capacity building and policy dialogues with ASEAN member states in the coming year to achieve impactful outcomes for the region.”
USABC’s on-going efforts are recognized in the Joint Media Statement of the 5th ADGMIN.
Companies and organizations participating in the mission include Amazon, American Express, Cisco Systems, Citi, Cloudflare, Crowell Global Advisors, Google, Information Technology Industry Council, Intel, LinkedIn, Meta, Microsoft, Palo Alto Networks, Qualcomm Incorporation, Salesforce, Tilleke & Gibbins, Tools for Humanity and Ultrapass Identity Corp.
(Bangkok) – From January 15 to January 17, 2025, the US-ASEAN Business Council (USABC) led a delegation of senior executives from 19 prominent U.S. companies to the 5th ASEAN Digital Ministers’ Meeting (ADGMIN) in Bangkok, Thailand. The delegation was headed by Ambassador Brian McFeeters (ret.), Senior Vice President and Regional Managing Director of USABC, and Mr. Seow Hiong Goh, Executive Director of Global Policy & Government Affairs for the Asia Pacific region at Cisco Systems, Inc., who also serves as Chair of the Council’s ICT Committee.
This Mission provided a valuable platform for U.S. industry leaders to engage with multiple ASEAN Digital Ministers, advocating for private sector involvement in ASEAN’s priority areas, addressing key emerging issues, and sharing insights on how U.S. industries can support ASEAN governments in advancing the 5th ADGMIN’s theme, “Secure, Innovative, Inclusive: Shaping ASEAN’s Digital Future.”
Throughout the three-day mission, the USABC delegation was able to engage in key discussions, including the ADGMIN + U.S. Plenary and ADGSOM + U.S. Consultative meetings. The delegation held productive dialogues with several ASEAN Digital Ministers and Digital Senior Officials, including bilateral meetings with H.E. Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, Secretary-General of ASEAN; H.E. Chea Vandeth, Minister of Post and Telecommunications of Cambodia; H.E. Gobind Singh Deo, Minister of Digital of Malaysia; H.E. Ivan John Uy, Secretary of the Department of Information & Communications Technology of the Philippines; Mr. Ang Wee Keong, Assistant Chief Executive of Infocomm Media Development Authority of Singapore; and Mr. Phonpasit Phissamay, Director General of Ministry of Technology and Communications of the Lao PDR. The delegation also interacted with the U.S. Government delegation led by Ambassador Steve Lang, U.S. Coordinator for International Communications and Information Policy, U.S. State Department’s Bureau of Cyberspace and Digital Policy.
During these engagements, the USABC delegation had the opportunity to highlight key digital policy recommendations, address challenges, and share the ICT Committee’s 2025 priorities in critical areas such as artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, data governance, digital infrastructure, and digital trade. The delegation also emphasized ongoing support for initiatives aimed at unlocking the region’s digital economy, such as the ASEAN Digital Economy Framework Agreement (DEFA).
To further promote collaboration and dialogue between U.S. industry leaders and ASEAN Digital Ministers, the Council hosted a Dinner Dialogue on January 17. The event featured H.E. Dr. Kao Kim Hourn; H.E. Prasert Jantararuangtong, Thailand's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Digital Economy and Society; and Ambassador Steve Lang, who delivered keynote remarks.
"The USABC member companies participating in this business mission have a lot to offer ASEAN Member States in the areas of responsible AI, cybersecurity and digital infrastructure to further build the region’s digital economy. Our delegation values its close cooperation with the U.S. Government delegation in this endeavor," stated Ambassador McFeeters (ret.).
"Digital technologies, including artificial intelligence, cybersecurity and connectivity, are an essential foundation for the economic growth and resiliency of ASEAN countries. The dialogue between ASEAN Digital Ministers and U.S. companies is invaluable to ensure these technologies are innovatively and effectively implemented to strengthen ASEAN’s broader economy,” said Seow Hiong Goh, the Council’s ICT Committee Chair. “We look forward to continuing our close collaboration in capacity building and policy dialogues with ASEAN member states in the coming year to achieve impactful outcomes for the region.”
USABC’s on-going efforts are recognized in the Joint Media Statement of the 5th ADGMIN.
Companies and organizations participating in the mission include Amazon, American Express, Cisco Systems, Citi, Cloudflare, Crowell Global Advisors, Google, Information Technology Industry Council, Intel, LinkedIn, Meta, Microsoft, Palo Alto Networks, Qualcomm Incorporation, Salesforce, Tilleke & Gibbins, Tools for Humanity and Ultrapass Identity Corp.