(MENAFN) Thailand is hosting the ASEAN-UNESCO Multistakeholder Forum on the Governance of Digital Platforms, bringing together policymakers, industry leaders, and civil society representatives from across Southeast Asia to craft a unified regional framework for digital governance grounded in human rights, safety, and shared responsibility.

In his opening address on Tuesday, Chaichanok Chidchob, Thailand’s Minister of Digital Economy and Society, described the event as a major step toward aligning ASEAN’s digital governance with global standards. He emphasized the need to address online threats such as illegal content, scams, disinformation, and risks to children and young users, while calling for inclusive cooperation to build strong and transparent digital systems.

Maki Katsuno-Hayashikawa, director of the UNESCO Liaison Office to ASEAN and Regional Office in Jakarta, highlighted that while digital platforms have expanded global connectivity and access to knowledge, they have also become breeding grounds for disinformation, polarization, and hate speech. She urged for a human rights-based, multistakeholder approach to foster an “Internet for Trust,” safeguarding both freedom of expression and access to information.

Sujiro Seam, the EU ambassador to ASEAN, said digital challenges transcend regional borders and require international cooperation grounded in transparency, accountability, and trust to develop modern, fair regulations that serve all communities.

The three-day forum, held under the theme “Digital Governance for a Trusted Future,” runs through Wednesday and includes sessions on generative AI regulation, online safety, fair digital competition, and digital literacy.

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