Heads of delegations and Secretary-General (front row, 6th L) at the 66th GBM.

The 66th Session of the APO Governing Body (GBM) convened in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, 28–30 May, with 50 APO Directors, Alternate Directors, and advisers from 20 member economies and an observer from the Pan-African Productivity Association (PAPA). The Government of Malaysia demonstrated exemplary hospitality throughout the event.

The inaugural session on 28 May began with Welcome Remarks by APO Director for Malaysia Datuk Kamaruzzaman Johari, highlighting the Malaysia Productivity Corporation’s (MPC’s) achievements and aspirations. He emphasized that, “Productivity is the heartbeat of economic prosperity. Today, we gather not just to discuss numbers and strategies but to envision a brighter, more productive future for Malaysia and APO member countries.”

APO Chair for 2024–25 and Director for Fiji Jone Maritino Nemani (R) at the head table with First Vice Chair and Alternate Director for India S. Gopalakrishnan, and Second Vice Chair and Acting APO Director for Indonesia Dr. Muhammad Ali (L).

The 66th GBM also witnessed the transition of leadership, as outgoing APO Chair and Director for the ROC Sheng-Hsiung Hsu passed the baton to incoming APO Chair and Director for Fiji Jone Maritino Nemani. Supported by APO Vice Chairs, Alternate Director for India S. Gopalakrishnan and Acting Director for Indonesia Prof. Anwar Sanusi, Chair Nemani gave assurances for a seamless continuation of initiatives vital to the APO’s mission. During the plenary session, APO Secretary-General Dr. Indra Pradana Singawinata presented detailed reports for deliberation and adoption. Key items included the Roadmap for Green Productivity 2.0, progress on the APO Vision 2025: Pause-and-reflect Activity, and the independent third-party evaluation, as well as proposed guidelines for Memoranda of Understanding and standardization of mutual recognition arrangements among APO-accredited Certification Bodies. Delegates’ insightful contributions and consensual decisions, including in-principle approval of the preliminary budget for the 2025–26 biennium, were essential to ensuring that the APO continues to deliver impactful services to its members.

APO Chair Nemani (L) and Secretary-General Dr. Indra (R) with recipients at the APO Award Conferral Ceremony at the 66th GBM.

One of the major highlights of the 66th GBM was the 2024 APO Award Conferral Ceremony on the second day, honoring individuals for their outstanding contributions to productivity in their nations and beyond. Newly APO-accredited Certification Bodies in Singapore and Thailand were acknowledged along with APO National Awardees and local productivity champions at the Welcome Dinner hosted by the APO Director for Malaysia. Throughout the GBM, APO Directors articulated their nations’ ambitions and reinforced commitments to collaborative productivity enhancement within the APO.

The 66th GBM marked significant milestones and celebrated productivity achievements, while also laying the groundwork for initiatives to strengthen the APO’s foundation and sustainability as well as expand its membership to other Asia-Pacific economies. Delegates noted that the upcoming 67th GBM, scheduled to be held in Indonesia next year, would serve as a platform to share progress and developments based on the actions agreed upon at the 66th GBM. Moving forward, the APO remains dedicated to fostering an environment where productivity and sustainable development are at the forefront of regional growth, ensuring that collective efforts translate into tangible benefits for all member economies.