Secretary-General Indra Pays Courtesy Call on APO Director for Japan Ishizuki

Asian Productivity Organization (APO) Secretary-General Dr. Indra Pradana Singawinata paid a courtesy call on the APO Director for Japan, Hideo Ishizuki, Director-General of the International Cooperation Bureau, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in Tokyo on 25 December 2024.

During the meeting, Director-General Ishizuki expressed his appreciation for Secretary-General Dr. Indra's initiatives to improve the governance of the APO and its Secretariat, as well as his initiatives related to the APO's post-2025 visioning exercise including Green Productivity (GP) programs. Director-General Ishizuki highlighted the importance of ensuring the visibility and relevance of international organizations, particularly given their reliance on taxpayer funds and public money.

Secretary-General Dr. Indra shared the latest developments in the APO's initiatives, underscoring the organization's ongoing commitment to advancing productivity in the region. He further emphasized the importance of the upcoming 67th Session of the APO Governing Body, to be held in May 2025 in Bali. This significant event is anticipated to draw high-level participation from government officials.

Secretary-General Dr. Indra echoed the strategic importance of GP and expressed his gratitude for the continued leadership and guidance of Professor Emeritus Ryoichi Yamamoto, Chair of the Green Productivity Advisory (GPA) Council and Chairperson of the Tokyo Metropolitan Public University Corporation, as well as Professor Yoichiro Matsumoto, Science and Technology Advisor to the Japanese Minister for Foreign Affairs and a GPA Council member.

Additionally, Secretary-General Dr. Indra shared plans being explored to leverage the World Expo 2025, which will be held in Osaka, to promote the APO's initiatives, with a particular focus on GP. Director-General Ishizuki expressed appreciation for the updates.

Following the meeting with Director-General Ishizuki, Deputy Director-General/Deputy Assistant Minister (Ambassador) Hideki Chotoku and Secretary-General Dr. Indra engaged in a constructive dialogue on the APO's recent initiatives, particularly its emphasis on GP and the integration of AI into productivity enhancement strategies. Deputy Director-General Chotoku highlighted the need to address multiple objectives simultaneously while staying aligned with the APO's core mandate of advancing productivity. Secretary-General Dr. Indra agreed, stressing the importance of leveraging appropriate and adequate technologies, practical methodologies, and case studies to ensure the effective and impactful implementation of GP initiatives across APO member economies.

Both Director-General Ishizuki and Deputy Director-General Chotoku, in their respective meetings with Secretary-General Dr. Indra, reaffirmed the Government of Japan's support for the APO.