The Deputy Permanent Secretary emphasised partnership on connectivity within ASEAN and beyond as a key for enhancing COVID-19 recovery efforts and promoting resilient and sustainable future at the Seminar "Connecting the Connectivities: Synergy through Enhanced Partnership".

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Thailand, in collaboration with the World Bank and the ASEAN Secretariat, co-organised a Seminar on “Connecting the Connectivities: Synergy through Enhanced Partnership” via videoconference on 22 January 2021. In this regard, H.E. Mr. Chutintorn Gongsakdi, Deputy Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Thailand, together with H.E. Mr. Kung Phoak, Deputy Secretary-General of ASEAN for ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community, and Mr. Ranjit Lamech, Regional Director (East Asia & Pacific), Infrastructure Department, World Bank delivered their opening remarks.

In his opening remarks, H.E. Gongsakdi reiterated the importance of enhanced partnership on connectivity between ASEAN and external partners in order to build resilience in the region and enhance COVID-19 recovery efforts. This could be done through the implementation of the Master Plan on ASEAN Connectivity 2025 or MPAC 2025 and the ASEAN Comprehensive Recovery Framework (ACRF), and based on the principles outlined in the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP).

H.E. Gongsakdi further proposed 3 areas of cooperation in line with strategic areas of MPAC 2025 as follows: First, “Ensuring resilient and sustainable regional supply chain,” in particular, by enhancing seamless logistics and seizing opportunities offered by the RCEP Agreement. Second, “Empowering Digital ASEAN,” which includes the development of ASEAN Digital Hub and Digital Park Thailand as part of Thailand’s Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) as well as enhanced digital trade connectivity through developing interoperable digital trade platform. Third, “Enhancing sustainability” by promoting sustainable infrastructure, sustainable urbanisation, green infrastructure, and ASEAN Smart Cities Network, which are in line with SDGs, as well as Thailand’s Bio-Circular-Green Economic Model or BCG Model.

The Seminar’s panelists expressed support to the “Connecting the Connectivities” approach that seeks to enhance synergies between ASEAN’s MPAC 2025 and other regional connectivity initiatives. Concrete recommendations from the Seminar included (1) a setting up of ASEAN digital trade platform to enhance paperless trade transaction (2) development of regional multi-modal transport linkages to keep regional supply chain uninterrupted (3) development of green and digital infrastructure to support expansion of digital economy and sustainable economic growth.

A set of policy recommendations will be formulated as key outcome of this virtual Seminar and will be submitted to relevant ASEAN Meetings, including ASEAN Connectivity Coordinating Committee (ACCC) Meeting, ASEAN Senior Officials’ Meeting, and ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting.