ASEAN Smart Cities Network

At the 32nd ASEAN Summit on 28 April 2018 in Singapore, the ASEAN Leaders established the ASEAN Smart Cities Network (ASCN). The ASCN is a collaborative platform where cities from the ten ASEAN Member States (AMS) work towards the common goal of smart and sustainable urban development. At the 33rd ASEAN Summit on 13 November 2018 in Singapore, the ASEAN Leaders adopted the ASEAN Smart Cities Framework which can be downloaded here. The Framework serves as a guide to facilitate smart city development in each ASCN city and articulates the key features of ASEAN’s smart cities by i) identifying strategic outcomes; and ii) outlining key urban systems, six focus areas, and enablers as well as seeks to complement existing national development plans or help to build new ones.

In light of the opportunities and challenges posed by rapid urbanisation and digitalisation, the primary goal of the ASCN is to improve the lives of ASEAN citizens, using technology as an enabler. By focusing on our peoples, it adopts an inclusive approach to smart city development that is respectful of human rights and fundamental freedoms as inscribed in the ASEAN Charter. The networking of smart cities across ASEAN also contributes to enhancing mutual understanding across cultures. The ASCN aims to facilitate cooperation on smart cities development, catalyse bankable projects with the private sector, and mobilise funding and support from ASEAN’s external partners. 33 partnerships were established in 2018 and have since grown to provide a range of support, including capacity building, knowledge sharing, and technical assistance.

The ASCN started with 26 pilot cities, namely Bandar Seri Begawan, Battambang, Phnom Penh, Siem Reap, Makassar, Banyuwangi, DKI Jakarta, Luang Prabang, Vientiane, Johor Bahru, Kuala Lumpur, Kota Kinabalu, Kuching, Nay Pyi Taw, Mandalay, Yangon, Cebu City, Davao City, Manila, Singapore, Bangkok, Chonburi, Phuket, Da Nang, Hanoi, and Ho Chi Minh City. At the Inaugural Meeting of the ASCN in 2018, the ASCN endorsed the Smart Cities Action Plans (SCAPs) for the 26 pilot cities. The SCAPs outlines each pilot city’s vision, priority focus areas, and strategic targets, as well as smart city projects. Since then, the ASCN city projects have expanded both in numbers and scope. Updates on the ASCN city project can be found in the ASCN Monitoring & Evaluation Reports.

Chiang Mai, Khon Kaen, and Rayong from Thailand joined the ASCN in 2023, followed by Sumedang (Indonesia) and Sihanoukville City (Cambodia) in 2024. In 2025, Ipoh, Putrajaya, and Seberang Perai from Malaysia, as well as Cauayan City from the Philippines,  joined the ASCN, bringing the total ASCN membership to 35 cities. The updated contact list of ASCN members can be accessed here.

The ASCN convenes an annual meeting and other events, which provide a platform for members to share progress on their smart city projects as well as explore partnership opportunities with external partners, including the private sector. The ASCN will continue to develop more partnerships to improve initiatives for smart cities development in the region.