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Context:

India assumes the chairmanship of the Asian Productivity Organization (APO) during the 67th Governing Body Meeting in Jakarta, Indonesia.

About Asian Productivity Organization (APO)

The APO is an intergovernmental organization established in 1961 to improve productivity in the Asia-Pacific region.

Headquartered in Tokyo, it promotes economic growth by helping its 21 member economies—enhance their industries, agriculture, and services through mutual cooperation and capacity-building programs.

The APO organizes workshops, training sessions, and research to share best practices. For example, India’s National Productivity Council (NPC), under the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT, sends 100 professionals annually to APO-led programs, expanding productivity in sectors like agriculture and manufacturing.

India and APO

1961 => India becomes founding member of APO, establishing long-term commitment to regional productivity enhancement.

2000s => APO adapts to digital age, India contributes IT expertise to regional productivity initiatives.

2020 => Launch of Green Productivity initiatives, India's renewable energy experience becomes valuable.

2025-26 => India assumes Chairmanship, driving APO Vision 2030 and Green Productivity 2.0 expansion.

India's Strategic Agenda

APO Vision 2030 => Development and implementation of long-term strategic framework for productivity enhancement across the Asia-Pacific region.

Green Productivity 2.0 => Expansion of sustainable productivity framework integrating environmental considerations with economic growth.

Digital Transformation => Strengthening digitalization initiatives across member economies to enhance productivity and competitiveness.

Innovation & Entrepreneurship => Promoting innovation ecosystems and entrepreneurial culture throughout the Asia-Pacific region.

India's Productivity Initiatives

Strategic Significance

Soft Power Enhancement => Strengthens India's position as a regional leader.

Productivity Enhancement => Implementation of best practices across member economies leading to measurable productivity gains.

Regional Integration => Stronger economic cooperation and knowledge sharing networks among Asia-Pacific nations.

Economic Diplomacy => Promotes India's economic partnerships in Asia-Pacific.

Technology Transfer => Encourages sharing of Indian innovations regionally.

Capacity Building => Enhances India's role in regional development.

India's Chairmanship aims to position the Asia-Pacific region as a global leader in sustainable productivity, digital innovation, and collaborative economic development, with India serving as a catalyst for regional transformation and growth.