The 12 months from Ha Noi to Jakarta has witnessed a discernible step-up in pace, as ASEAN moves resolutely towards its goal of a common community by 2015. Under the Chairmanship of Viet Nam, ASEAN launched the Master Plan on ASEAN Connectivity, which is aimed not only at facilitating business and commerce, but a wider, holistic effort to connect the entire ASEAN. In this initiative, particular attention was paid to the people of our Member States – which are the bedrock that supports ASEAN, and foundation which influences its future direction.