India has officially assumed the Chairmanship of the Asian Productivity Organization (APO) for the term 2025–2026. This significant event occurred during the 67th Session of the Governing Body Meeting (GBM) of the APO, held in Jakarta, Indonesia, from May 20-22, 2025. The Indian delegation at the meeting was headed by Amardeep Singh Bhatia, an IAS officer, Secretary of the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), and the APO Director for India.
As the Chair of the APO, India has reiterated its strong commitment to furthering the APO Vision 2030 and expanding the Green Productivity 2.0 framework. This framework is designed to integrate productivity enhancement with environmental sustainability, a crucial aspect of modern economic development. India's focus will be on driving regional collaboration to foster digital transformation, innovation, sustainability, and entrepreneurship across the Asia-Pacific region. The aim is to implement inclusive, responsive, and results-driven APO programs that can effectively address the evolving productivity and developmental challenges in the region.
The APO, established in 1961, is an intergovernmental body based in Tokyo that promotes productivity enhancement through mutual cooperation and capacity building. It currently comprises 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. As one of the founding members, India has consistently played a vital role in shaping the organization's vision and supporting its various initiatives.
Each year, over 100 professionals from India participate in APO-led capacity-building initiatives through the National Productivity Council (NPC), which operates under DPIIT. These programs are instrumental in driving productivity improvements in India's industrial, service, and agricultural sectors. Furthermore, several demonstration projects focused on Green Productivity and Industry 4.0 applications for Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) have been successfully implemented across the country.
The Governing Body Meeting (GBM) serves as the highest decision-making authority within the APO. It convenes annually to define the organization's strategic direction, review performance, and approve significant proposals. The 67th GBM, hosted by the Government of Indonesia, highlights the collaborative spirit and shared commitment to productivity enhancement in the Asia-Pacific region.
India's assumption of the APO Chairmanship underscores its dedication to fostering growth and sustainable development within the region. By focusing on key areas such as digital transformation and green productivity, India aims to drive meaningful change and support the APO's mission of enhancing productivity and competitiveness across its member economies.
