Excellencies,
Distinguished Participants,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Assalamualaikum and good morning everyone.
First and foremost, it gives me great pleasure to welcome all of you to the Regional Workshop on ACSP Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) Operational Guide.I wish to commend and extend my deepest appreciation to the Australian Government and ASEAN Secretariat for the efforts in convening this meaningful Regional Workshop through Aus4ASEAN Futures Initiatives. This Workshop is timely as ASEAN leaders had recently in May adopted the “ASEAN 2045: Our Shared Future” which included the ASEAN Connectivity Strategic Plan (ACSP). The vision, among others envisions a developed ASEAN as the epicenter of growth in the Indo-Pacific region, and a seamlessly integrated community with enhanced linkages amongst ASEAN Member States.
Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,
For nearly a decade, the Master Plan on ASEAN Connectivity (MPAC) 2025 has guided our collective journey. The landmark document has been instrumental in strengthening our physical, institutional, and people-to-people linkages. MPAC has made robust progress in advancing the connectivity agenda namely in establishing an ASEAN digital data governance framework, improving supply chain efficiency, supporting higher education exchange across AMS, and developing sustainable urbanisation strategies in ASEAN.The implementation of past plans has taught us valuable lessons, particularly the importance of monitoring and evaluation. Monitoring and evaluation are pertinent to ensure that the plan is implemented successfully and its strategic goals and objectives achieved.
Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,
Today, with the adoption of ACSP, monitoring and evaluation remains as one of the critical elements of the plan. A well-designed monitoring and evaluation strategy that is holistic and practical will provide, among others, a mechanism that periodically assesses progress and timeliness of project implementation. It will also enable adaptive planning and timely response to any implementation challenges.
Bearing this in mind, in order for the monitoring and evaluation of the ACSP to be meaningfully undertaken, there is a need for an effective Operational Guide. The guide would act as a compass to provide practical steps, guidance and enhance accountability across implementing stakeholders. Over the course of this Workshop, I trust we will engage in critical discussions and explore new approaches in the development of M&E Operational Guide.
As I conclude, I am confident the outcomes of this Workshop will help us shape a guide that is not only visionary but also practical, effective, and truly transformative on the ground. I wish everyone an enriching discussion to yield constructive and productive outcomes.
Thank you very much.