New Delhi: The 15th ASEAN Connectivity Symposium 2024, was held on 23 August in Luang Prabang, Laos, bringing together 70 participants from ASEAN, its partners, and other stakeholders, an ASEAN press release said. The theme of the symposium this year was “Enhancing Connectivity for Resilient, Innovative, Dynamic, and People-Centred ASEAN” and it featured panel discussions and keynote addresses from government officials, business experts, and think tank scholars.
Thongphane Savanphet, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Lao PDR, opened the event with a keynote address, emphasizing the importance of connectivity in promoting regional integration and strengthening the resilience of ASEAN societies. He stressed the need for investment in sustainable and digital infrastructure, science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education, and public-private partnerships in enhancing connectivity and resilience.
Lim Chze Cheen, Director of the ASEAN Connectivity Division of the ASEAN Secretariat, emphasized the importance of investing in sustainable and digital infrastructure, promoting innovation, and strengthening regional institutions and frameworks in building a more resilient and connected ASEAN.
The symposium’s findings and recommendations will be valuable inputs in the development of the ASEAN Connectivity Strategic Plan 2025 and the realization of the ASEAN Community Vision 2045. The event provided an opportunity for stakeholders to identify new strategies and measures to enhance connectivity within a resilient, innovative, dynamic, and people-centered ASEAN.