The Asian Productivity Organization (APO) offers tailored individual-country programs to meet the unique needs and challenges of each member. One such initiative is the Technical Expert Services (TES) Program, which involves the utilization of the APO’s network of professional experts to conduct intensive interventions to upgrade the competencies of NPOs and local industries.

An 8-day TES project on the Occupational Health and Safety Management System (OHSMS) ISO 45001 for Lead Implementers in Heavy Industry for Mongolia was conducted virtually by a resource person from India. Twenty MPO experts, engineers, and managers from the private sector attended the training and gained in-depth knowledge on auditing occupational safety guided by ISO 45001 and on effectively administering a team of auditors. Participants reported a positive impact on their understanding of the topics covered and interacted via various forms of communication available during the virtual sessions.

Another TES project on Design, Development, and Implementation of a Competency Framework for Regulators for the Philippines was conducted in-person by a resource person from New Zealand, 27–31 March. The formal training sessions enabled 20 DAP personnel to enhance their skills and knowledge to develop future projects and work plans based on the competency framework. Potential expansion of this topic to create a regulatory environment that promotes innovation in the public sector is being discussed.

The APO also facilitates bilateral cooperation among its members to promote collective growth and shared benefits in learning from one another’s unique experiences. A bilateral cooperation project between the NPOs of Fiji and Thailand was organized 28–31 March in Bangkok, Thailand, focusing on Strategic Foresight and Innovation Management for MSMEs in Fiji. Four delegates from Fiji were given valuable insights into practical applications of these concepts through the onsite visits and interactions with the FTPI, local institutions, and organizations. The NTPC and FTPI expressed interest in long-term collaboration to continue their bilateral exchanges.

By addressing the needs of each member economy and promoting knowledge sharing across borders, the APO continues to play an essential role in shaping a more productive, sustainable, resilient future for the region.