In 2010, during Vietnam's chairmanship of ASEAN meetings, the leaders adopted the MPAC. The MPAC aims to provide a framework for regional cooperation on connectivity and a foundation for further connectivity with other regions, such as East Asia and South Asia. The core initiatives of the Master Plan are to improve the economic resilience of the region through improved production and distribution networks and to optimize benefits from the free trade agreements of ASEAN. With the implementation of the MPAC, it is expected to provide economies of scale and generate higher interaction among countries, boost multilateral growth and reduce development gaps. Therefore, enhancing connectivity through the MPAC is seen as a way of promoting ASEAN's economic growth as a whole.

Current State/ Gaps in Connectivity across ASEAN

Transportation

Road and Rail Infrastructure: The two flagship projects — the ASEAN Highway Network (AHN) and the Singapore–Kunming Rail Link (SKRL) — suffer from several missing links and substandard work quality. AHN is targeted for completion in 2015, while the completion of SKRL is likely to be extended to 2020. Once these links are built, it will connect both the mainland ASEAN and ASEAN with China and India.

Maritime Network: Although ASEAN has forty-seven designated ports, there are a number of challenges in providing an efficient shipping network service in the region. According to the UNCTAD Liner Shipping Connectivity Index, except for Singapore and Malaysia, ASEAN countries rank poorly relative to China and Hong Kong. Most of the gateway ports of the ASEAN member states are “fairly full”, implying investment needs for capacity expansion.

Air Transport: The connectivity through air is the most developed in the region. The airports of ASEAN capital cities are sufficient in terms of runway lengths to accommodate the existing operation of aircraft. However, some of these airports still face problems in providing airport facilities, particularly warehouses.