Chapter Vision, Objectives and Initiatives for ASEAN Connectivity 2025 1. 4 The vision for ASEAN Connectivity 2025 is to achieve a seamlessly and comprehensively connected and integrated ASEAN that will promote competitiveness, inclusiveness, and a greater sense of Community (Exhibit 6). Greater connectivity is the foundational supportive and facilitative means to achieving the political-security, economic, and socio-cultural pillars of an integrated ASEAN Community. Exhibit 6 Vision and strategic objectives Vision ASEAN Connectivity 2025 Physical connectivity To achieve a seamlessly and comprehensively connected and integrated ASEAN that will promote competitiveness, inclusiveness, and a greater sense of Community People-to-people Institutional connectivity connectivity Strategic objectives ▪ Increase public and private infrastructure investment in each ASEAN Member State, Sustainable infrastructure Strategies Digital innovation Seamless logistics Regulatory excellence People mobility 2. as needed ▪ Significantly enhance the evaluation and sharing of best practices on infrastructure ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ productivity in ASEAN Increase the deployment of smart urbanisation models across ASEAN Support the adoption of technology by micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) Support financial access through digital technologies Improve open data use in ASEAN Member States Support enhanced data management in ASEAN Member States ▪ Lower supply chain costs in each ASEAN Member State ▪ Improve speed and reliability of supply chains in each ASEAN Member State ▪ Harmonise or mutually recognise standards, conformance, and technical regulations for products in key sectors ▪ Reduce number of trade-distorting non-tariff measures across ASEAN Member States ▪ Support ease of travel throughout ASEAN ▪ Reduce the gaps between vocational skills demand and supply across ASEAN ▪ Increase the number of intra-ASEAN international students The following criteria were used to prioritise strategies to support the articulated vision statement: i. Significance. The strategic areas must have the potential to have material impact on the connectivity agenda in ASEAN. In other words, it must be critical to achieving the vision and goals outlined for ASEAN Connectivity. MASTER PLAN ON ASEAN CONNECTIVITY 2025 39