NEW DELHI: Anchoring a significant multilateral summit on regional economic efficiency, the 68th Session of the Governing Body Meeting (GBM) of the Asian Productivity Organization (APO) successfully concluded at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi.
The high-level event, spanning May 20–22, 2026, was hosted by India’s National Productivity Council (NPC) under the aegis of the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Ministry of Commerce & Industry. The summit brought together heads of national productivity organizations, policymakers, and economic experts from across the Asia-Pacific region.
Key Takeaways
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Strategic Roadmap Evaluated: The plenary sessions reviewed the institutional implementations under the APO Vision 2030 Steering Committee. Delegates adopted the Secretary-General’s Annual Report, the 2025 Financial Report, and formulated the preliminary budget blueprints for the upcoming 2027–28 biennium.
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Unveiling Project GAIA: Under the “Any Other Business” segment, the APO apprised member states of a major technical breakthrough initiative under Vision 2030 termed GAIA (Genuine AI Action). The project focuses on deploying Artificial Intelligence (AI)-driven solutions to enhance industrial productivity and modernize regional vocational training architectures.
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Top-Tier Leadership Transition: The summit marked a key change of guard at the apex layer. Prof. Anwar Sanusi (APO Director for Indonesia) assumed the office of APO Chair for 2026–27, succeeding Shri Amardeep Singh Bhatia (APO Director for India and Secretary, DPIIT). The acting directors of Iran and Japan stepped into the roles of First and Second Vice Chairs, respectively.
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Accreditation and Awards: The APO Accreditation Body formally presented its compliance certificate to the National Productivity Organization Certification Body of Cambodia, making them part of an elite grouping of 13 certified member economies (which includes India). Outstanding contributors were also conferred with the APO Awards for Productivity Advocates and Technical Experts.
Inaugural Mandate: India’s Digital & Industrial Blueprint
Union Minister of Commerce & Industry, Shri Piyush Goyal, graced the inaugural session on May 21 as the Guest of Honour. In his address, Goyal pitched India’s scalable structural models as a reference point for developing economies, highlighting:
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The socio-economic multiplier effect of India’s Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI).
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Fast-tracked structural enhancements across domestic manufacturing and logistics frameworks.
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Formal fiscal empowerment of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) alongside green energy transitions.
Future Outlook and Cultural Diplomacy
The closing session, moderated by India’s Alternate Director, Smt. Neerja Sekhar, locked in the international itinerary for the coming year. It was finalized that Lao PDR will play host to the 69th GBM in 2027, while Sri Lanka will anchor the 67th Workshop Summit Meeting (SM) of Heads of APO Economies.
Following the institutional deliberations, international delegates went on a curated tour of Delhi’s prominent heritage sites, including Humayun’s Tomb and the Central Vista. They also visited a high-profile spiritual exposition at the Rai Pithora Cultural Complex titled The Light and the Lotus: Relics of the Awakened One, which showcased sacred relics, ancient manuscripts, and artifacts tracing India’s Buddhist civilizational footprint.
