About Asian Productivity Organisation (APO):
- It is a regional intergovernmental organization established in 1961 to increase productivity in the Asia-Pacific region through mutual cooperation.
- The APO contributes to the sustainable socioeconomic development of the region through policy advisory services, acting as a think tank, and undertaking smart initiatives in the industry, agriculture, service, and public sectors.
- The APO is shaping the future of the region by assisting member economies in formulating national strategies for enhanced productivity and through a range of institutional capacity-building efforts, including research and centers of excellence in members.
- It is nonpolitical, nonprofit and nondiscriminatory.
- APO membership is open to countries in Asia and the Pacific that are members of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UN ESCAP).
- The current membership is 21 economies, comprising Bangladesh, Cambodia, Republic of China, Fiji, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Islamic Republic of Iran, Japan, Republic of Korea, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Mongolia, Nepal, Pakistan, Philippines, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Türkiye, and Vietnam. India is a founding member of APO.
- These countries/economies support each other in their productivity drives in a spirit of mutual cooperation by sharing knowledge, information, and experience and coordinate with the APO through the designated national productivity organizations (NPOs).
- Headquarters: Tokyo, Japan
- Organisational Structure:
- APO is composed of the governing body, the NPOs, and the secretariat, which is headed by a secretary-general.
- The Governing Body is the APO's highest decision-making authority and meets annually to set the organisation's strategic direction, approve major proposals, and review Secretariat performance.
