On 27 and 28 November 2024, the 14^th Session of the ASEAN Community Statistical System Committee (ACSS14) brought together statistical and economic experts from across ASEAN, reaffirming the region’s commitment to advancing data harmonisation in support of ASEAN integration and evidence-based policymaking.

A notable highlight of the meeting was the presentation of the ASEAN Digital Index (ADIX) by the experts Ms Minna-Liisa Saneri and Ms Zsuzsanna Vari-Kovacs from the Enhanced EU-ASEAN Regional Dialogue Instrument (E-READI). The initiative, facilitated through E-READI, aims to standardise indicators and ensure data comparability across ASEAN Member States.

ADIX: Building a Foundation for Data Harmonisation

ADIX measures critical aspects of regional digital development across five domains: Connectivity, Digital Public Services, Human Capital, Integration of Digital Technology, and Use of Internet Services. By addressing challenges such as the lack of standardised definitions, inconsistent data availability, and limited inter-agency coordination, ADIX is setting a foundation for better statistical harmonisation in ASEAN.

The data harmonisation process will empower policymakers across ASEAN Member States with consistent, comparable statistics to monitor progress and drive regional integration. The ADIX report is expected to be endorsed at the Fifth ASEAN Digital Ministers Meeting (ADGMIN) in January 2025.

EU-ASEAN Partnership: Strengthening Statistical Systems

The EU-ASEAN partnership continues to provide vital support to ASEAN’s statistical systems. Through capacity-building workshops, policy seminars, and technical assistance, the partnership has strengthened regional statistical capacities for more than a decade.

Looking Ahead

As ASEAN Member States work toward harmonising key statistical fields, initiatives like ADIX demonstrate the value of collaboration and shared expertise. By building a unified and comparable statistical framework, ASEAN is better positioned to monitor its regional progress and achieve evidence-based decision-making that benefits its people.

For more information on the ACSS14 outcomes, please refer to the joint media statement

Learn more about ADIX:

• ASEAN and EU work together towards establishing an ASEAN Digital Index
• Measuring ASEAN’s Digital Performance

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