ASEAN-IPR Regional Conference on Cybersecurity and the Role Of Information Technology in Fostering a Culture of Peace in ASEAN
24-26 February 2025
Bangkok, Thailand
More than 100 participants, coming from academes, private sectors, government officials, civil society organisations (CSOs), youth groups, media, etc. gathered from 24 to 26 February 2025 for the ASEAN Institute for Peace and Reconciliation (ASEAN-IPR) Regional Conference on Cybersecurity and the Role of Information Technology in Fostering a Culture of Peace in ASEAN (CyberCon2025) in Bangkok, Thailand. This event served as ASEAN-IPR’s flagship project for 2025 and marked a key milestone in the ongoing partnership between ASEAN-IPR and the Republic of Korea, which supported the activity through the ASEAN-Korea Cooperation Fund (AKCF).
The Regional Conference was officiated with a pre-recorded keynote address by H.E. Dr Kao Kim Hourn, Secretary-General of ASEAN, and welcoming remarks by H.E. Lee Jang-keun, Ambassador of the Republic of Korea (ROK) to ASEAN, as well as from Mr. I Gusti Agung Wesaka Puja, Executive Director of ASEAN-IPR.
In his video message, the Secretary-General of ASEAN highlighted ASEAN’s commitment to fostering peace and prosperity through a cybersecurity strategy anchored in enhanced cooperation, digital literacy, and a whole-of-ASEAN approach aimed at building a harmonious and resilient digital community. Echoing this commitment, in his remarks, the Ambassador of ROK to ASEAN expressed his appreciation for the continued partnership with ASEAN-IPR, especially in addressing cybersecurity as it intersects with peacebuilding efforts. He emphasised the importance of collective action in defending cyberspace, and welcomed the engagement of youth through initiatives such as the Essay Contest, reaffirming support for a secure and peaceful digital future in ASEAN and beyond.
The Conference featured five thematic sessions, which included (1) understanding the cybersecurity landscape; (2) IT, cybersecurity, and peace; (3) gender, human rights, and cybersecurity; (4) social media, gaming, radicalisation, and cybersecurity; and (5) cyber threats and political stability.
Prior to the Conference, ASEAN-IPR organised a series of activities that shaped the thematic discussions – which ultimately led to CyberCon2025. Such activities included a Focused Group Discussion (FGD) on cybersecurity and peacebuilding; and a Comparative Study Visit to the Institute for National Security Strategy (INSS) in Seoul, Republic of Korea. These preparatory initiatives helped refine the subtopics and ensure the Conference addressed the most pressing cybersecurity challenges relevant to the region.
The primary objective of CyberCon2025 was to develop a set of policy recommendations that emerged from discussions between speakers and participants. The Conference also aimed to contextualise the definition of cyber peacebuilding within ASEAN. At the end of each session, participants completed data collection questionnaires designed to capture key insights and recommendations. These findings were later analysed and presented during the Summary Session of the Conference. The final report, consolidating all recommendations, will be provided to policymakers and stakeholders to strengthen ASEAN’s cybersecurity policies.
The Conference was concluded with a networking dinner. In her closing remarks, H.E. Sarah Al Bakri Devadason, Representative of Malaysia and this year’s Chair of the ASEAN-IPR Governing Council, underscored the urgency of strengthening cybersecurity measures amid rapid technological advancements, emphasising the importance of information sharing and regional collaboration. She noted that CyberCon2025 has served as a platform in strengthening regional collaboration to build ASEAN’s cyber resilience. Moreover, the Executive Director of ASEAN-IPR highlighted that the Conference successfully brought together policymakers, academics, civil society actors, and private sector representatives to exchange insights and explore innovative solutions to evolving cybersecurity challenges. He underlined that as the world becomes increasingly interconnected, the shared responsibility of securing cyberspace has never been more critical.
Over the course of the three-day event, discussions meaningfully delved into ASEAN’s cybersecurity landscape, highlighting the importance of resilience over deterrence in managing cyber incidents, the necessity of strengthening incident response mechanisms, and the value of building a more resilient cyber ecosystem through enhanced cooperation and capacity building.
Youth Engagement and Cybersecurity Awareness
Recognising the pivotal role of youth in shaping the future of cybersecurity, ASEAN-IPR incorporated youth-driven initiatives as part of pre-activities culminating in the CyberCon2025. These initiatives included: (i) Youth Discussion: Social Sips & Bytes (July 2024) – A platform for youth to discuss the social aspects of digital development, cybersecurity, and media influence; and (ii) ASEAN-IPR Cybersecurity Youth Essay Competition (November 2024) – A competition aimed at encouraging youth engagement in cybersecurity policymaking.
Key takeaways from the Social Sips & Bytes were presented during the Conference, emphasising the importance of youth participation in cybersecurity policymaking. Further, ASEAN-IPR was pleased to host eleven awardees from the Youth Essay Competition – coming from ASEAN Member States and Timor-Leste, who participated in the Conference and were acknowledged at a special Awarding Session. Additionally, the three best essay authors were given the opportunity to present their work, ensuring that youth insights and recommendations were heard by key stakeholders.
The ASEAN-IPR would like to acknowledge and appreciate the generous support and collaboration of ASEAN-Korea Cooperation Fund (AKCF) in CyberCon2025 and all of its pre-activities. Stay connected to ASEAN-IPR’s activities through our website and social media platforms – make sure you follow/subscribe us on your favourite platform.
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