Kuala Lumpur, October 6 (AseanAll) — Senior officials from ASEAN Member States, Timor-Leste, and the ASEAN Secretariat convened on October 6, 2025 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, for the 3rd Meeting of the ASEAN Fourth Industrial Revolution Task Force Group (A4IR-TFG) to advance regional collaboration in harnessing the benefits of the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) towards achieving the ASEAN Community Vision 2045.
The Meeting discussed the implementation of the ASEAN Consolidated Strategy on the Fourth Industrial Revolution (CS4IR), ASEAN’s key framework for building a digitally empowered, innovation-driven, and inclusive regional economy. Recognising the rapid pace of technological change, the Meeting agreed to revisit and update the CS4IR to ensure continued alignment with global trends, emerging technologies, and Member States’ national priorities.
ASEAN Member States also shared updates on their respective 4IR policies and programmes, including efforts to strengthen digital infrastructure, promote upskilling and reskilling, and foster innovation ecosystems. The discussions reaffirmed ASEAN’s shared commitment to leverage 4IR technologies, such as artificial intelligence, robotics, and advanced data analytics, to drive productivity and inclusivity across key sectors.
The Meeting also noted progress on the ASEAN Digital Economy Framework Agreement (DEFA), which is set to establish a rules-based foundation for regional digital trade and innovation. Partner organisations, including the Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA) and United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), shared perspectives on emerging technologies and their implications for ASEAN’s industrial transformation, supply chain resilience, and long-term growth.
Concluding the Meeting, officials underscored the importance of cross-sectoral collaboration in advancing ASEAN’s 4IR agenda, including deepened engagement with industry, academia, and development partners. The A4IR-TFG will continue to serve as a platform to translate ASEAN’s vision into concrete initiatives that ensure the region remains future-ready and inclusive in the digital era.