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Compiles six essays by different experts in development economics. Communicates the latest findings on narrowing the development gap that prevails between ASEAN member states and between sub-regions within ASEAN. Includes papers on monitoring progress towards narrowing the gap on the role of ASEAN connectivity in reducing the gap and on regional development cooperation. Summarizes different ASEAN sub-regional groupings including their member states, founding year, vision, key sectors, main strategies, major partners, and major projects. Illustrates graphically the structure of ASEAN under the ASEAN Charter, including its three pillars and constituent bodies and meetings. Presents the estimated years required for each member state to converge with the highest ASEAN achievement, and to converge with the average ASEAN-6 achievement, in the thematic areas of health, education, income, and human development. Illustrates some achievements in poverty reduction between 1981 and 2008. Includes graphs showing the correlations in ASEAN countries between human development index score on the one hand, and road density, mobile cellular subscriptions, and electric power consumption on the other hand. Considers how physical infrastructure can contribute to narrowing development gaps. Measures the access to infrastructure in each ASEAN country, notably to electricity, internet, mobile coverage, rail lines, paved roads, improved water sources, and improved sanitation facilities. Contains a foreword by ASEAN Secretary-General Le Luong Minh.