Kanaev Evgeniy

Cooperation between ASEAN and Russia in the Digital Field: A Realist’s View

ЮГО-ВОСТОЧНАЯ АЗИЯ: АКТУАЛЬНЫЕ ПРОБЛЕМЫ РАЗВИТИЯ, 2026, №1(70), 22-36

 
Annotation: The article aims to specify possibilities and system constraints of cooperation between the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the Russian Federation (RF) in the digital field, as well as assess its most promising directions. The nature and specifics of ASEAN’s policy in the digital field from the perspective of implementation of its initiatives exclusively in the digital area, the equipment of non-digital formats of cooperation with digital tools, the establishment of digital institutions, supporting startups, as well as the evolution of ASEAN-led dialogue in the science, technology and innovation field, are revealed. Main results of cooperation between ASEAN and Russia are considered; the factors behind its insufficient economic and commercial ties are presented. The reasons why Russia’s solid background in developing effective digital tools, including those relating to the Artificial Intelligence, have not contributed to bringing the dialogue with ASEAN to a quantitative and qualitative new level are uncovered. In the author’s opinion, the main reason accounts for lack of developed non-digital tools as the foundation for operationalizing the digital tools and solutions at Russia’s disposal. As the year 2026 marks the 35th anniversary of relations between the parties and 30th anniversary of Russia-ASEAN full dialogue partnership, the article has obvious relevance. The necessity to conceptualize the outcomes of the dialogue and the development of its practically orientated directions, as well as to undertake their comprehensive and academically balanced assessment, that Russia and the association are encountering is behind the theoretical and the practical significance of the paper.

Keywords: ASEAN, Russia, digital transformation, digital projects and initiatives, strategic partnership, economic cooperation, digital dimension