As online scams continue to rise in ASEAN countries, including Myanmar, it is essential to strengthen collaborative efforts to combat them, said State Administration Council Member Deputy Prime Minister and Union Minister for Transport and Communications General Mya Tun Oo at the 5th ASEAN Digital Ministers’ Meeting – 5th ADGMIN and Related Meetings with Dialogue Partners held in Bangkok of Thailand on 16 and 17 January.
He continued to say that to enhance users’ trust in digital services, including digital financial services, greater cooperation is needed. Efforts should not solely focus on expanding internet connectivity and usage for comprehensive digital integration, but also on ensuring meaningful use of digital services by the public and businesses. To achieve this, it is necessary to prioritize and implement digital literacy programmes effectively.
He added that it is necessary to act based on the principles of security, innovation, and inclusivity in implementing digital transformation.
On 16 January morning, Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra delivered a speech at the opening of the meeting at Avani+ Riverside Bangkok Hotel.
In her speech, the Thai Prime Minister underscored that currently, as online scams are becoming increasingly prevalent, posing serious dangers to the public, there is growing concern about this issue, highlighting the need for regional collaboration to address and resolve it effectively.
She noted that ASEAN must implement measures to combat fake news and misinformation that harm social trust, as well as to enhance digital literacy among the public.
In today’s world, as Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology continues to develop, it is essential for ASEAN to collectively and responsibly adopt and utilize AI technology in ways that maximize benefits for the region, she added.
At the two-day meeting, ASEAN digital ministers focused on the development of the digital sector in ASEAN, and collaborative efforts to initiate the digital future of ASEAN aligned with safety, innovation and all-inclusiveness to resolve challenges.
The meeting discussed reviewing the successfully implemented plans in 2024, approval for plans in 2025, financial measures for projects, eradication of online scams, enhancement of cybersecurity and systematic improvement of AI.
The General attended the dinner hosted by the Thai Prime Minister and the ASEAN Digital Awards 2025 ceremony at Capella Bangkok Hotel together with meeting participants.
During the trip, the ASEAN ministers held talks with dialogue partner countries China, Japan, the Republic of Korea, India, the United States and the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) separately, issued the Bangkok Digital Declaration and held the press conference of the meeting on 17 January.
On the evening of 15 January, the General discussed opportunities and challenges of new technology and ways to resolve these challenges through collaborative efforts at the China-ASEAN Digital Ecosystem Cooperation Forum at Anantara Riverside Bangkok Resort.
The General met Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Digital Economy and Society of Thailand Prasert Jantararuangtong on 16 January and Minister of Information and Communications of Vietnam Nguyen Manh Hung on 17 January to talk about the exchange of information and technological cooperation.
The meeting was attended by delegations from 10 ASEAN member States together with Temor-Leste, the People’s Republic of China, Japan, the Republic of Korea, India, the United States in addition to the International Telecommunication Union (ITU).
The Myanmar delegation led by General Mya Tun Oo arrived back in Myanmar on 18 January.
MNA/TTA
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