Dontsov Anatolii

Russia’s Cybersecurity Initiatives in the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF): From Declarations to Practical Cooperation, 2010–2024

ЮГО-ВОСТОЧНАЯ АЗИЯ: АКТУАЛЬНЫЕ ПРОБЛЕМЫ РАЗВИТИЯ, 2025, №2(67), 106-119

 
Annotation: The paper explores Russia’s approach to fostering cooperation in the field of cybersecurity within the framework of the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) from 2010 to 2024. The aim of the study is to trace the evolution of Russian initiatives, assess their reception by Southeast Asian countries, and identify key institutional and political obstacles to practical implementation. The author examines Russia’s regulatory framework, institutional initiatives, and specific practical actions undertaken within the ARF. The analysis draws on official ARF documents, expert publications, and analytical reports. The study identifies both achievements — such as joint seminars and discussions, and the proposal of early response initiatives — and limitations, including insufficient institutionalization, limited representation in key ASEAN platforms, and political disagreements. The article concludes that Russian diplomacy has achieved partial success in promoting information security in the region, while also outlining prospects for deepening cooperation, provided that regional specifics are taken into account and coordination with core ASEAN mechanisms is strengthened.

Keywords: ASEAN, ARF, cybersecurity, digital sovereignty, ICT security, information space, Russia–ASEAN relations, information security, cyberspace, cyber diplomacy