68th Session of the Governing Body Meeting of the Asian Productivity Organisation Concludes in New Delhi

📌 Summary:

• The 68th Session of the Governing Body Meeting (GBM) of the Asian Productivity Organization (APO) concluded in New Delhi after three days of deliberations (20–22 May 2026) at Bharat Mandapam

• It was hosted by the National Productivity Council (NPC) under DPIIT, Ministry of Commerce & Industry, with participation by Heads of National Productivity Organizations and delegates from APO member economies

• Plenary sessions deliberated the APO Vision 2030 roadmap, the preliminary budget for the 2027-28 biennium, governance reforms, the Secretary-General's Annual Report and institutional performance measures

• Commerce & Industry Minister Piyush Goyal delivered the inaugural address, highlighting India's productivity-led growth, digital public infrastructure, manufacturing and logistics reforms, and MSME empowerment

• Leadership transition: Indonesia's Prof. Anwar Sanusi assumed charge as APO Chair for 2026-27, succeeding India's DPIIT Secretary Amardeep Singh Bhatia; Iran and Japan took the First and Second Vice-Chair roles

• APO launched the GAIA (Genuine AI Action) initiative under Vision 2030 for AI-driven productivity enhancement; 13 APO member economies, including India, are certified under the APO Accreditation Body

• The 69th GBM will be hosted by Lao PDR and the 67th Workshop Summit Meeting by Sri Lanka, both in 2027

🎯 UPSC Relevance: GS3 (Indian Economy) and GS2 (International Relations) — India's engagement with regional economic organisations, productivity-led growth and capacity building across the Asia-Pacific.

📝 Prelims Facts:

• APO (Asian Productivity Organization) is an intergovernmental body; its 68th GBM was held at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi

• The meeting was hosted by the National Productivity Council (NPC) under DPIIT

• New APO Chair for 2026-27 is Prof. Anwar Sanusi of Indonesia; the 69th GBM will be in Lao PDR (2027)

🔑 Key Term: Asian Productivity Organization (APO) — a regional intergovernmental organisation established in 1961 to enhance productivity in the Asia-Pacific; India is a founding member.