On 26 August 2021, representatives of the ASEAN-China Centre (ACC), attended upon invitation the 12th ASEAN Connectivity Symposium hosted by Brunei as the rotating presidency of ASEAN this year and co-organised by the ASEAN Secretariat and the Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA). Dato Lim Jock Hoi, Secretary-General of ASEAN, delivered a speech emphasizing the importance of exploring digital innovation, digital transformation, sustainability and inclusiveness. Ambassador Pengiran Hairani Pengiran Tajuddin, Permanent Representative of Brunei to ASEAN, and Professor Hidetoshi Nishimura, President of ERIA delivered remarks. More than 150 representatives from the ASEAN Connectivity Coordinating Committee, ASEAN Member States (AMS), ASEAN dialogue partners, international organisations, business associations, think-tanks and enterprises attended the symposium. 

With the theme of "We Care, We Prepare, We Prosper", the symposium focused on three topics, namely"Supporting Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in ASEAN during COVID-19 and Post Pandemic Recovery""Preparing ASEAN Connectivity Post-Pandemic and Beyond 2025" and "Advancing Connectivity Partnership for Prosperity". Guests from the ASEAN MSME Advisory Board, Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP), World Bank, Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), Asian Development Bank (ADB) and other institutions shared their views and opinions on “integrating existing measures and mechanisms within ASEAN through strategic and holistic initiatives”, “adopting a more coordinated approach to the future”, “the continued key role of connectivity in the future”, and “the effective development of digitisation, sustainable infrastructure and human resources”.