14 Jul 2017
14-Jul-2017
Source: ASEAN Secretariat News
ASEAN stakeholders gather to advance connectivity
MANILA, 14 July 2017 – The 8th ASEAN Connectivity Symposium was held today in Alabang, Metro Manila, Philippines, to deliberate and debate on the implementation of Master Plan on ASEAN Connectivity (MPAC) 2025.
With the theme “Harnessing Opportunities and Addressing Challenges in the Implementation of the MPAC 2025,” the symposium highlighted that achieving a well-connected region requires regular engagements and continuous discussions with relevant stakeholders towards engendering ownership and support for the implementation of MPAC 2025. The issue of coordination between regional, national and sub-national stakeholders was also brought up. It is crucial to leverage on the support and expertise from Dialogue Partners and international organisations in developing projects, and focusing on the delivery of results and outcomes rather than projects and activities. The symposium underscored the importance of strengthening statistical systems towards better measurement, monitoring and evaluation of the implementation of MPAC 2025.
“There remain great potential and opportunities for the continued growth of regional connectivity,” said Foreign Affairs Undersecretary of the Philippines Enrique A. Manalo. “We need the collaborative action of all stakeholders to turn this potential into reality. An enabling operating environment as well as coordination among the different stakeholders, and the full utilisation of our respective expertise and resources will be necessary in translating the plans, goals and strategies outlined within MPAC 2025 into viable projects and initiatives,”Ambassador of Australia to ASEAN Jane Duke said, “I applaud ASEAN’s commitment to improving connectivity, fundamental for the realisation of its ambitious regional integration goals. Mechanisms such as today’s Symposium are essential for gauging progress and feeding in latest thinking from experts and practitioners.”
The symposium brought together approximately 200 participants from ASEAN Connectivity Coordinating Committee (ACCC), relevant ASEAN Sectoral Bodies, National Coordinators and National Focal Points for MPAC 2025, Dialogue Partners, international organisations, multilateral development banks, private sector representatives, academia and the media.
This year, ASEAN Connectivity Symposium is organised by the Department of Foreign Affairs of the Philippines as Chair of the ACCC, with the assistance of the ASEAN Secretariat and the support of the ERIA and the ASEAN-Australia Development Cooperation Program Phase II.
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