Powering ASEAN’s Growth: Digital Transformation for a More Connected Future

Over 213 million people, nearly one in three ASEAN residents, are between 15 and 34 years old. Tech-native and ambitious, this generation is fueling Southeast Asia’s rise as a global innovation hotspot. On April 22, 2025, Meridian International Center partnered with Mastercard to convene senior U.S. policymakers, global industry leaders, and key diplomatic figures for a dialogue on turbocharging ASEAN’s digital revolution through powerful public-private partnerships. Meridian also hosted The Honorable Jon M. Huntsman, Jr. who has served as U.S. Ambassador to Singapore, China, and Russia, to lend his extensive experience in trade and international relations to the conversation.  

In this Global Dialogue Series salon dinner, participants underscored that collaborative investments in digital infrastructure and cutting-edge technologies are critical to bridging the digital divide, expanding financial inclusion, and enabling seamless cross-border commerce across Southeast Asia. Participants also highlighted that aligning policy frameworks with technological innovation—through initiatives like the ASEAN Digital Economy Framework Agreement—will foster harmonized regulations and open new opportunities for micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises. The discussion also addressed emerging challenges such as cybersecurity, regulatory fragmentation, and digital literacy gaps, while identifying pathways for deeper cooperation between governments, financial institutions, and technology firms.  

This Program Series was Made Possible Through the Support of:

Project summary

Powering ASEAN’s Growth: Digital Transformation for a More Connected Future | April 2025
Impact Areas:	Business and Trade
Program Areas:	Corporate Diplomacy