On July 24, 2025, the Observer Research Foundation America and the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies, in partnership with the Cyber Security Agency of Singapore and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands, hosted a virtual Global Cyber Policy Dialogue: Southeast Asia.

This invitation-only dialogue brought together ASEAN member state officials to analyze and socialize key takeaways from the eleventh and final substantive session of the 2021-2025 Open-ended Working Group (OEWG) on the security of and in the use of information and communications technologies at the United Nations. This event focused on what the OEWG achieved in its core pillars of focus through reaching consensus on its final report, including emerging threats, norms implementation, international law, confidence-building measures, and capacity building, as well as the establishment of new Global Mechanism on ICTs. Discussions assessed how the latest developments and outcomes impact Southeast Asian governments and will shape the future of cyber cooperation in the region. Featured speakers for this event included experts from government and civil society:

• Benjamin Ang, Head, Centre of Excellence for National Security, Future Issues in Technology, Digital Impact, S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies

• Farhanah Hussin Bagharib, Assistant Director, International Cyber Policy Office, Cyber Security Agency of Singapore

• Gatra Priyandita, Senior Analyst, Cyber, Technology and Security Program, Australian Strategic Policy Institute

• Shariffah Rashidah Syed Othman, Director, Policy and International Cooperation, National Cyber Security Agency of Malaysia; National Security Council, Prime Minister’s Department

• Moderator: Bruce W. McConnell, Distinguished Fellow, Observer Research Foundation America

These convenings were part of a larger Global Cyber Dialogue Series being organized by ORF America and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands which seeks to convene regional dialogues to address key cyber challenges, strengthen multistakeholder networks, and increase coordination of regional capacity building initiatives.