JAKARTA, 9 September 2022 – The ASEAN Connectivity Coordinating Committee (ACCC) organised a workshop on Strengthening Coordination and Engaging ASEAN’s External Partners in the Implementation of the Master Plan on ASEAN Connectivity (MPAC) 2025 yesterday via videoconference.

The workshop brought together more than 120 participants consisting of representatives from ACCC, national coordinators (NCs), national focal points (NFPs) of MPAC 2025, its lead implementing bodies, and relevant ASEAN sectoral bodies.

At the workshop, participants shared good practices, challenges, and lessons learnt in undertaking coordination on MPAC 2025 and other connectivity related cooperation as well as the alignment of MPAC 2025 initiatives.

The participants also discussed ways to strengthen cooperation with the ASEAN Dialogue Partners and other external partners for the implementation of the MPAC 2025 and promoting synergies across various connectivity initiatives within and beyond the region.

The Mid-Term Review of MPAC 2025 carried out in 2020 called for ASEAN to strengthen in-country implementation of MPAC 2025, noting that there have been some alignment and coordination gaps among national and other related stakeholders. Strengthening in-country coordination will address capacity issues by increasing incentives to drive implementation.

“The workshop is a platform to exchange views and explore ways and means to bolster our coordination, as well as further engage our external partners towards delivering the MPAC 2025,” said Yeap Samnang, Ambassador and ACCC Representative of Cambodia.  “By enhancing engagement with all relevant stakeholders, we will be able to realise the goal of ASEAN Connectivity. We will continue to conduct regular interactions in addressing alignment at the regional and national levels,” he added.

MPAC 2025, which is an integral part of the ASEAN 2025: Forging Ahead Together, aims to tackle cross-cutting connectivity issues towards achieving a seamlessly and comprehensively connected and integrated ASEAN that will promote competitiveness, inclusiveness, and a greater sense of community.

As set out in the Vientiane Declaration on the Adoption of the MPAC 2025, ACCC, NCs, and NFPs have been tasked by the leaders of ASEAN to coordinate closely with relevant stakeholders and to mobilise resources for the implementation of MPAC 2025.

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