Organizing the APO Task Force on the Asian Productivity Organization Awards

Wednesday, Dec 18, 2024 | 10:52

The Asian Productivity Organization (APO) was established on May 11, 1961, as an intergovernmental organization in the Asia-Pacific region contributing to the sustainable socio-economic development of the region through productivity enhancement. Since 1990, the APO has had awards to honor individuals who have played significant roles and achieved outstanding accomplishments in the field of productivity in member countries and the region.

The awards are based on a framework of four criteria: (1) contributions to research or development of concepts and new technologies that have a national/regional productivity enhancement impact; (2) application of techniques in specific areas of activity that significantly enhance national/regional productivity; (3) contributions to building mechanisms that improve productivity; (4) contributions to promoting productivity-enhancing concepts and techniques through the publication of materials, training, or similar activities.

In 2021, to promote the productivity movement within member economies and the region, the Task Force on APO Awards was established, chaired by the APO Secretary-General and the APO Chair. Consequently, the frequency and categories of the APO awards were revised to better align with the objectives of promoting national and regional productivity, including the APO National Award, APO Regional Award, and the APO Meritorious and Distinguished Awards for exceptional leaders in Asia who have made significant contributions and outstanding achievements in policy development and strategic thinking, applying new and innovative ideas to improve productivity, contributing to the sustainable development of the productivity movement, building mechanisms and institutional cooperation to enhance productivity in the region. From Vietnam, Acting Director General of the Commission for Standards, Metrology and Quality (STAMEQ), Dr. Ha Minh Hiep, was honored to receive the APO Meritorious and Distinguished Awards in 2024, marking the first time a Vietnamese individual has received this title.

To continue improving and elevating the status of the APO Awards, on December 16-17, 2024, the Task Force on APO Awards held a meeting in Tokyo, Japan, chaired by the APO Secretary-General, Dr. Indra Pradana Singawinata. The meeting was attended by quality award experts from the UK, Malaysia, and APO Directors from member economies including Taiwan, India, Fiji, and Vietnam. The meeting aimed to assess the implementation level and sustainability potential of the APO Awards while providing recommendations to enhance the effectiveness of the award processes and procedures.

With 21 member economies, the APO is the only organization in the Asia-Pacific region conducting numerous activities in member economies to enhance productivity, contributing to the sustainable socio-economic development of the region. Currently, 8 out of 10 ASEAN countries are members of the APO, excluding Myanmar and Brunei.

With the permission of the Prime Minister, Vietnam officially became a member of the APO on January 1, 1996. STAMEQ (Ministry of Science and Technology) has been authorized as the permanent representative of Vietnam at the APO and is the focal point for organizing the implementation of APO’s programs and projects, as well as bilateral projects with national productivity organizations that are APO members.)

Anh Vu