68th APO Governing Body Meeting Hosted, Strengthens Regional Commitment to Productivity and Innovation

The event marked one of the most significant regional productivity forums hosted by India in recent years and highlighted the country’s growing leadership role in shaping productivity and innovation strategies in Asia.

India successfully hosted the 68th Session of the Governing Body Meeting (GBM) of the Asian Productivity Organization (APO) in New Delhi, bringing together policymakers, productivity experts, government officials, and representatives from member economies for three days of extensive deliberations on productivity-led growth, digital transformation, sustainability, and regional cooperation across the Asia-Pacific region.

The high-level meeting was held from May 20 to 22, 2026, at Bharat Mandapam and was organised by the National Productivity Council (NPC) under the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India. The event marked one of the most significant regional productivity forums hosted by India in recent years and highlighted the country's growing leadership role in shaping productivity and innovation strategies in Asia.

Delegates from multiple APO member economies, including Heads of National Productivity Organizations (NPOs), senior government representatives, economists, policy planners, and institutional leaders, participated in the meeting to discuss strategic priorities and future frameworks aimed at enhancing productivity and sustainable development across the region.

The three-day programme began on May 20 with preparatory and closed-door consultations, followed by networking sessions and cultural engagements designed to strengthen institutional partnerships and regional collaboration among member countries. The discussions later moved into formal plenary sessions held on May 21 and 22, where member economies reviewed the organisation's governance, strategic direction, financial planning, and long-term productivity agenda.

Key deliberations during the plenary sessions included the adoption of the APO Secretary-General's Annual Report, approval of the Financial Report for 2025, appointment of auditors for 2026, governance reform proposals, and recommendations from the APO Vision 2030 Steering Committee. Delegates also discussed the preliminary APO budget for the 2027–28 biennium, institutional compliance measures, regional productivity initiatives, and strategies to strengthen operational efficiency across member economies.

A major focus of the discussions was the implementation of APO Vision 2030, the organisation's long-term roadmap aimed at enhancing productivity through digital transformation, innovation, sustainability, skill development, and inclusive growth. Member economies reaffirmed their collective commitment to advancing productivity-led economic development and strengthening cooperation in emerging sectors critical to the future global economy.

The inaugural session held on May 21 was attended by Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Shri Piyush Goyal as the Guest of Honour. In his address, Shri Goyal highlighted India's transformation into a productivity-driven economy through reforms in manufacturing, logistics, digital public infrastructure, MSME empowerment, and sustainability-focused development initiatives.

He emphasised that India's rapid digitalisation, infrastructure expansion, startup ecosystem, and policy reforms have significantly improved productivity and competitiveness across sectors. The minister also underlined the importance of regional collaboration among Asian economies to address shared economic challenges and leverage opportunities arising from technological advancements and supply chain diversification.

During the meeting, significant leadership transitions also took place within the APO. APO Director for Indonesia, Prof. Anwar Sanusi, formally assumed charge as APO Chair for 2026–27, succeeding India's APO Director and DPIIT Secretary Shri Amardeep Singh Bhatia. Meanwhile, the Acting APO Directors from Iran and Japan assumed the positions of First and Second Vice Chairs respectively, reflecting the collaborative governance structure of the organisation.

One of the major highlights of the event was the presentation of APO Awards for Productivity Advocates, Technical Experts, and National Productivity Council Special Recognition Awards. These honours were conferred upon individuals and institutions for their outstanding contributions toward productivity enhancement, organisational excellence, innovation, and institutional capacity building.

The meeting also highlighted the growing importance of certification and accreditation frameworks in strengthening productivity standards across member economies. The APO Accreditation Body (APO-AB), which evaluates and accredits Certification Bodies for Productivity Specialists, presented an accreditation certificate to Cambodia's National Productivity Organization Certification Body during the event. So far, 13 APO member economies, including India, have received such certification under the accreditation framework.

Another important discussion during the "Any Other Business" session focused on the APO's GAIA initiative — Genuine AI Action — introduced under the broader Vision 2030 framework. The initiative seeks to harness Artificial Intelligence for productivity enhancement, institutional modernisation, training innovation, and capacity development across member economies. Delegates discussed the growing role of AI-driven systems in improving industrial productivity, governance efficiency, skill development, and organisational performance.

The meeting concluded with the formal adoption of the Summary Record of Proceedings by the Second Vice Chair, Japan, followed by closing remarks from the APO Chair and observations by India's Alternate Director, Smt. Neerja Sekhar. During the closing session, it was announced that the 69th Governing Body Meeting would be hosted by Lao PDR in 2027, while Sri Lanka would host the 67th Workshop Summit Meeting of Heads of APO Economies in the same year.

Apart from official engagements, delegates also participated in curated cultural visits showcasing India's civilisational and spiritual heritage. Participants visited major heritage landmarks in Delhi including the National Museum, Humayun's Tomb, and the India Gate–Central Vista ceremonial avenue. Delegates also attended "The Light and the Lotus: Relics of the Awakened One," an exposition featuring sacred relics of Lord Buddha alongside sculptures, manuscripts, and historical artefacts representing India's Buddhist legacy. Hosted at the Rai Pithora Cultural Complex in New Delhi, the exhibition received widespread appreciation from international delegates for offering insights into India's rich cultural and spiritual traditions.

The successful hosting of the 68th APO Governing Body Meeting reinforced India's growing influence in regional economic cooperation and demonstrated its commitment to advancing productivity, innovation, sustainable development, and institutional collaboration across the Asia-Pacific region. The event also strengthened India's position as a leading voice in shaping future productivity and development strategies in an increasingly technology-driven global economy.