On January 22, 2021, the first ASEAN Digital Ministers’ Meeting (ADGMIN) adopted the ASEAN Digital Masterplan 2025 (ADM 2025) alongside the Putrajaya Declaration. The masterplan set out a strategic framework to guide digital cooperation among ASEAN member states through 2025, covering broadband infrastructure, cybersecurity, e-government services, digital skills, and cross-border trade facilitation.
ADM 2025 addressed emerging technologies including artificial intelligence, the Internet of Things, 5G, cloud computing, and big data. Quantum technology, however, did not appear in the plan. As later noted by analysts at the Lowy Institute and the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies (RSIS), the 140-page document made no mention of quantum across its entire text.
The omission reflected the state of quantum policy attention in the region at the time. While individual member states such as Singapore had active quantum research programs, quantum had not yet entered ASEAN-level policy discussions as a priority technology area.