The ASEAN Digital Economy Framework Agreement (DEFA), as the pioneering binding regional treaty in the realm of the digital economy, serves as a blueprint delineating extensive cooperative obligations among its members over short, medium, and long-term horizons. Yet, understanding the origins, essence, and legal architecture of the ASEAN DEFA remains paramount. In this introductory installment of a two-part series, Dr. Tan Hsien-Li, Chan Sze-Wei, and Yvette Foo, share their insights.

• Part 1 explains DEFA’s significance.
• Part 2 elucidates how DEFA may be enforced within ASEAN’s rules-based order.