Ingenieur Vol 61 January-March 2015 | Page 39

However, despite the many achievements and successes of APEC in promoting connectivity in previous years, many challenges still remain. On physical connectivity, there is still a disparity in access to and quality of physical and Information and Communications Technology (ICT) infrastructure throughout the region. On institutional connectivity, there is also a significant gap in the ability of existing institutions to promote connectivity due to various regulatory constraints or lack of capacity. On people -to -people connectivity, much work needs to be done to ease existing barriers to interaction and mobility, and to develop joint endeavours that will support seamless flows of people. We have, therefore, developed this Blueprint as a strategic guide for current and future initiatives that will bring the APEC region closer together. It is a high-level framework towards which many APEC work streams should focus their efforts. The Vision of APEC Connectivity in 2025 As stated above, we commit to streng then physical, institutional, and people-to people connectivity by taking agreed actions and meeting agreed targets by 2025, with the objective of achieving a seamless and comprehensively connected and integrated Asia Pacific. In order to attain this overarching goal, APEC member economies will under take specific tangible actions at the physical, institutional, and people-to-people pillar levels. The Blueprint contains existing connectivity-related initiatives; encourages reviving those initiati ٕ́ѡ