Has India Taken Over the Chairmanship of the 21-Nation Asian Productivity Organization?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- India has taken over the Chairmanship of the APO for 2025-26.
- The 67th GBM is being hosted in Jakarta, Indonesia.
- India aims to advance the APO Vision 2030.
- The country emphasizes regional collaboration for sustainability and innovation.
- Over 100 Indian professionals participate in APO initiatives annually.
Jakarta, May 21 (NationPress) India has officially taken over the Chairmanship of the 21-nation Asian Productivity Organization (APO) for the term 2025–26 during the ongoing 67th Session of the Governing Body Meeting of the APO, taking place from May 20-22 in Indonesia's capital city.
As the Chair of the APO, India reaffirmed its dedication to promoting the APO Vision 2030 and enhancing the Green Productivity 2.0 framework. India highlighted the necessity of regional cooperation to foster digital transformation, sustainability, innovation, and entrepreneurship.
It also conveyed its willingness to contribute to inclusive, responsive, and results-oriented APO programs aimed at tackling the evolving productivity and development challenges faced by the Asia-Pacific region.
The Indian delegation is led by the Secretary of the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), and APO Director for India, Amardeep Singh Bhatia.
Every year, more than 100 Indian professionals engage in APO-led capacity-building initiatives through the National Productivity Council (NPC) under DPIIT.
These programs significantly enhance productivity across India's industrial, services, and agricultural sectors. Numerous demonstration projects, including those centered on Green Productivity and Industry 4.0 applications for MSMEs, have been successfully executed throughout the nation.
The Governing Body serves as the highest decision-making authority of the APO, convening annually to define the organization's strategic direction, endorse major proposals, and assess Secretariat performance. The 67th GBM is being hosted by the Government of Indonesia.
Founded in 1961, the Asian Productivity Organization is a Tokyo-based intergovernmental entity that fosters productivity enhancement across the Asia-Pacific region through collaborative efforts and capacity building.
The APO currently consists of 21 member economies, including Bangladesh, Cambodia, Taiwan, Fiji, India, Indonesia, Iran, Japan, Malaysia, Mongolia, Nepal, Pakistan, the Philippines, Singapore, Sri Lanka, and Thailand, among others.
As one of its founding members, India has been instrumental in shaping the organization’s vision and supporting its initiatives.