The APO Secretariat hosted a face-to-face inaugural Workshop Meeting of Heads of APO Certification Bodies, 9–12 July in Tokyo, to introduce the latest initiatives of the APO-AB, share experiences and challenges faced, and discuss enhancing mutual cooperation among CBs.

In the opening remarks, APO Secretary-General Dr. Indra Pradana Singawinata highlighted that with an increase in the number of APO-AB accredited CBs, the role of the APO-AB has become more significant to ensure that they remain abreast of the latest CB standards compatible with international practices. He emphasized that the workshop was timely when CBs were trying to gain wider recognition and produce more productivity specialists who will contribute to the socioeconomic development of the Asia-Pacific region.

Eleven participants from seven accredited and two developing CBs attended the workshop. Resource persons from Indonesia, Malaysia, and Singapore introduced the latest initiatives of the APO-AB and facilitated sessions for sharing experiences and challenges faced by CBs, designing effective business plans for CB sustainability, and discussing ways to enhance mutual cooperation among CBs. The workshop suggested opportunities for improving the APO-AB and CB operating systems to meet future challenges.