India has officially taken over the Chairmanship of the Asian Productivity Organization (APO) for the 2025-26 term during the 67th Governing Body Meeting (GBM), held in Jakarta, Indonesia from May 20 to May 22, 2025. The Indian delegation at the event was led by Amardeep Singh Bhatia, IAS, Secretary of the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), who also serves as APO Director for India.
At the meeting, India reiterated its commitment to driving APO Vision 2030, which emphasizes productivity, sustainability, and innovation for economic growth. India also reaffirmed its support for Green Productivity 2.0, a framework focused on integrating sustainable practices into business operations, agricultural development, and industrial growth across Asia.
As the new Chair of the APO, India underscored the importance of regional collaboration in addressing productivity challenges and fostering economic resilience through digital transformation, innovation, and entrepreneurship. It emphasized the need for inclusive, responsive, and results-driven APO programs that align with the evolving needs of member economies in the Asia-Pacific region.
Each year, over 100 Indian professionals participate in APO-led capacity-building programs facilitated by the National Productivity Council (NPC) under DPIIT. These initiatives contribute to enhancing productivity across India’s industrial, services, and agricultural sectors. Several demonstration projects, including those focused on Green Productivity practices and Industry 4.0 applications for small and medium enterprises, have been successfully implemented across the country.
The Governing Body Meeting serves as the highest decision-making authority of the APO and convenes annually to define strategic priorities, approve major initiatives, and assess the organization’s overall performance. This year’s meeting was hosted by the Government of Indonesia, bringing together representatives from the APO’s 21 member economies, including Bangladesh, Cambodia, Taiwan, Fiji, Hong Kong (dormant), India, Indonesia, Iran, Japan, Republic of Korea, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Mongolia, Nepal, Pakistan, the Philippines, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Turkiye, and Vietnam.
The Asian Productivity Organization, established in 1961, is a Tokyo-based intergovernmental entity focused on advancing productivity and development across the Asia-Pacific region through knowledge-sharing and mutual cooperation. India, as one of its founding members, has played a critical role in shaping the APO’s long-term vision and supporting its ongoing initiatives.
As the new Chair, India is expected to play a pivotal role in shaping the APO’s agenda for the coming year, driving regional productivity growth, advancing sustainable development, and reinforcing its leadership in digital and industrial innovation.
