More than 600 digital rights advocates, civil society organizations, and policy experts from across the Asia-Pacific region gathered in Manila from June 8 to 10 for the 4th Digital Rights Asia-Pacific Assembly (DRAPAC26), where participants called for stronger public participation in shaping regional digital policies.
Held as the Philippines serves as chair of Asean in 2026, the conference brought together delegates to discuss issues ranging from digital governance and online freedoms to the growing influence of technology on societies across the region.
Organized by EngageMedia and co-hosted by the Foundation for Media Alternatives (FMA) and DAKILA – Philippine Collective for Modern Heroism, the event carried the theme “Resilient Digital Futures: Co-creating Collective Resources Across Movements.”
“We chose to host in Manila because there is vibrant and long history of advocacy for human rights respecting technology adoption and governance,” said Phet Sayo, executive director of EngageMedia.
“Furthermore, we are here because the Philippines is the Asean chair and it is an opportunity to convene around sub-regional issues.”
The three-day assembly featured more than 60 sessions, exhibits, and workshops focused on digital rights, civic participation, and the development of shared resources for advocacy groups navigating changing technological and political environments.
Organizers said discussions centered on strengthening collaboration among digital rights movements and building collective responses to emerging challenges in the region.
DAKILA secretary-general Leni Velasco said digital governance issues are closely tied to questions of power and participation.
“Digital futures are shaped by decisions about power, governance, resources, and participation… by who gets to design systems, whose knowledge counts, whose voices are amplified, and whose realities are ignored,” Velasco said.
Several speakers also highlighted ongoing Asean discussions on digital policy frameworks, including the proposed Digital Economy Framework Agreement (DEFA).
“Several ministerial meetings are happening and will happen leading to the 49th Asean Summit that will define the future of Southeast Asia, and yet we, the peoples of SEA are left in the dark and excluded in the discussion and drafting of relevant documents that will determine our future, such as the Digital Economy Framework Agreement,” said Liza Garcia, executive director of the Foundation for Media Alternatives.
The assembly concluded with calls for greater transparency and public participation in regional digital policymaking, as well as continued cooperation among advocacy groups working on digital rights issues across Asia-Pacific.
