On 26 August 2019, H.E. Ms. Phasporn Sangasubana, Permanent Representative of Thailand to ASEAN, chaired the 3/2019 ASEAN Connectivity Coordinating Committee (ACCC) Meeting and the ACCC Consultations with Dialogue Partners and Other External Partners on Connectivity, at Centara Grand & Bangkok Convention Centre, Bangkok. In this occasion, H.E. Dr. Suriya Chindawongse, Director-General of Department of ASEAN Affairs and Thailand’s National Coordinator, also delivered opening remarks at the 3/2019 ACCC Meeting where he emphasised the need for ASEAN to work closely together to ensure that the Master Plan on ASEAN Connectivity (MPAC) 2025 remains relevant amid connectivity becoming the key strategic concept of most major powers.

The Meetings discussed extensively the progress made on the implementation of MPAC 2025 and how to further enhance cooperation on connectivity within ASEAN and beyond. The discussion also focused on how Dialogue Partners and other External Partners of ASEAN can support MPAC 2025, particularly in the strategic areas of Sustainable Infrastructure, Seamless Logistics, and People Mobility, which are priorities this year. In addition, Thailand reaffirmed its commitment to promote synergies between MPAC 2025 and other key regional connectivity initiatives through the idea of “Connecting the Connectivities” during Thailand’s ASEAN Chairmanship this year.