The Asian Productivity Organization (APO) and Graduate School of Public Policy, The University of Tokyo (GraSPP) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to conduct joint research for driving policy interventions and capacity development on productivity and innovation. The initiative is aimed at supporting Asian economies in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

(L–R) APO Secretary-General Dr. Santhi Kanoktanaporn and GraSPP Dean Akio Takahara exchanging the MOU document on cooperation to achieve the SDGs.

The MOU was signed by APO Secretary-General Dr. Santhi Kanoktanaporn and GraSPP Dean Akio Takahara in Tokyo, 12 March 2019. It will enable the two organizations to conduct joint research to help Asian economies achieve decent work and economic growth (SDG #8), as well as in the areas of industry, innovation, and infrastructure (SDG #9). It will also contribute to initiatives to promote sustainable cities and communities (SDG #11) and responsible consumption and production (SDG #12) across APO member countries.

Sharing details of the agreement, Secretary-General Dr. Santhi said that the engagement would allow the APO and GraSPP to exchange experience and information in areas of mutual interest. “The unpredictable nature of the technology-driven economy makes it necessary for all economies to align their efforts to drive socioeconomic development. To achieve this, economies now need to shift from an extensive-growth strategy to a productivity-driven one. The APO is committed to helping member countries in their journey of transformation and the MOU with GraSPP is another step toward this.”

Commenting on the MOU, Dean Takahara said, “We are thrilled to have this MOU signed with the APO. I hope that we will be able to cooperate in various ways, including students’ engagement in the APO’s operations as interns. We are looking forward to developing a strong, long-lasting relationship with the APO.”

Under the MOU, the two organizations will participate jointly in conferences, workshops, training programs, and seminars. A key component of the MOU is the APO internship program to provide students from GraSPP with policy-oriented learning opportunities to gain experience through projects and research assignments.