The United States and Cambodia jointly led the sixth U.S.-ASEAN Cyber Policy Dialogue in Singapore on October 21, 2025. The event brought together representatives from both countries and ASEAN member states to discuss ongoing efforts to secure cyberspace across the region.
During the meeting, participants addressed cyber threats posed by malicious actors and emphasized collaboration to strengthen cybersecurity measures. They discussed ways to improve readiness, resilience, and protection of critical infrastructure. The group highlighted the recent establishment of the ASEAN Regional Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT) as a step forward in regional cooperation. They also noted the publication of the ASEAN Cybersecurity Cooperation Strategy (ACCS) for 2026-2030 and joint initiatives within the ASEAN Regional Forum as evidence of their commitment to a stable digital environment.
Efforts to combat transnational scam operations were another focus area. Participants acknowledged progress made by the ASEAN Anti-Online Scams Working Group, which included three workshops sponsored by the United States in coordination with industry partners during 2024 and 2025. There was agreement on enhancing partnerships through this mechanism, with anticipation for results from anti-scam operations supported by bilateral memoranda of understanding.
The United States announced plans for a new program aimed at raising public awareness about online scams in ASEAN countries.
Collaboration with private sector organizations was also discussed as essential for maintaining a secure cyberspace and addressing online scams. The U.S.-ASEAN Business Council delegation identified opportunities for deeper public-private partnerships, including using financial intelligence to help scam victims recover losses, working on licensing and regulatory issues, and sharing information about cyber threats.
Participants agreed to consider holding the seventh U.S.-ASEAN Cyber Policy Dialogue alongside Singapore International Cyber Week in 2026. Further discussions are expected at next year’s ASEAN Digital Ministers’ meeting.
"The United States and Cambodia co-chaired the 6th U.S.-ASEAN Cyber Policy Dialogue in Singapore on October 21, 2025. The Dialogue demonstrated durable partnerships and a shared vision of a prosperous, stable, and secure cyberspace that strengthens international security and fosters regional economic prosperity for our combined one billion people."
"Participants discussed shared cyber threats posed by malicious cyber actors. Through these conversations, participants highlighted collaborative efforts to bolster our collective cybersecurity posture, enhance cybersecurity readiness and resilience, and improve our critical infrastructure defenses. Participants underlined the recent launch of the ASEAN Regional Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT) and identified opportunities for further collaboration, including additional technical assistance initiatives to strengthen the ASEAN Secretariat’s networks. Participants highlighted the publishing of the ASEAN Cybersecurity Cooperation Strategy (ACCS) 2026-2030 and joint U.S. and ASEAN Member States’ efforts to prioritize cybersecurity in the ASEAN Regional Forum as examples of the shared commitment to a secure and stable cyberspace."
"The United States and ASEAN Member States emphasized the importance of strengthening operational partnerships to combat and dismantle transnational scam operations and hold their facilitators accountable. The participants noted progress by the ASEAN Anti-Online Scams Working Group, including facilitating three U.S.-sponsored workshops in 2024 and 2025 in coordination with U.S. industry. Participants committed to increased ASEAN partnership through this mechanism. The participants looked forward to learning of anti-scam operations enabled through the bilateral cooperation memoranda of understanding, which could form the basis for government-to-government collaboration on combating online scam operations. Additionally, the United States previewed a new program to build public awareness of online scam operations in ASEAN countries."
"Participants acknowledged the importance of cooperating with the private sector to promote a stable and secure cyberspace and to fight online scam operations. The U.S.-ASEAN Business Council delegation highlighted opportunities to deepen public-private partnerships to combat online scam operations and utilize financial intelligence for recovery services for scam victims, engage on licensing and regulatory operations, and conduct critical cyber threat information sharing. Through the Dialogue, participants committed to explore convening the 7th U.S.-ASEAN Cyber Policy Dialogue in 2026 on the sidelines of Singapore International Cyber Week. The participants looked forward to further discussions at the 2026 ASEAN Digital Ministers’ meeting."