PH to Host the 8th ASEAN Connectivity Symposium to Discuss the Implementation of the Master Plan on ASEAN Connectivity (MPAC) 2025
13 July 2017 MANILA – The Philippines, as Chair of the ASEAN Connectivity Coordinating Committee (ACCC), will host the 8th ASEAN Connectivity Symposium on 14 July 2017 in Alabang, Metro Manila, Philippines to socialize the Master Plan on ASEAN Connectivity (MPAC) 2025, and discuss issues related to implementation, monitoring and evaluation of the MPAC 2025, with the theme “Harnessing Opportunities and Addressing Challenges in the Implementation of the Master Plan on ASEAN Connectivity (MPAC) 2025”.
The annual Symposium will bring together relevant stakeholders such as the ASEAN Connectivity Coordinating Committee (ACCC), relevant ASEAN Sectoral Bodies, National Coordinators and National Focal Points for MPAC 2025, Dialogue Partners, international organizations, multilateral development banks, private sector representatives, as well as academia and the media.
The Symposium is expected to deliberate on issues cross-sectoral coordination, national implementation of regional initiatives, mobilization of infrastructure finance, and effective monitoring and evaluation approaches. Ambassador Elizabeth P. Buensuceso, Philippine Permanent Representative to ASEAN and Chairperson of the ASEAN Connectivity Coordinating Committee (ACCC), said that “the MPAC 2025, when fully implemented, will spell a huge difference in the lives of ASEAN people, providing a big boost to physical connectivity such as infrastructure projects, people-to-people mobility and upgrading of vocational skills, improving regulatory excellence and digital innovation and seamless logistics”.
The MPAC 2025 which was adopted at the 28th ASEAN Summit in September 2016 and aims to achieve a seamlessly and comprehensively connected and integrated ASEAN that will promote competitiveness, inclusiveness, and a greater sense of Community. It focuses on six strategic areas, in particular Sustainable Infrastructure; Digital Innovation; Seamless Logistics; Regulatory Excellence; and People Mobility. It envisages six crucial dimensions for its successful implementation, namely, strong focus and targets; clear governance and ownership; clear and aligned plans; presence of core skills; incentives and finance; proactive stakeholder engagement; and robust performance management.
The event will be organized by the Philippines, with the support of the Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA) and the ASEAN–Australia Development Cooperation Program Phase II (AADCP II), and the ASEAN Secretariat.
For more information, visit www.jakartapm.dfa.gov.ph. END