Industry Transformation

Digitization-driven Industry 4.0 creates opportunities for increased productivity and more sustainable production but also challenges related to technology access, workforce transformation, and intensified competition in global value chains. Assisting industries to upgrade in response is crucial for sustainable socioeconomic development. The Industrial Transformation Program assists APO members in developing knowledge, resilience, and capabilities in the era of Industry 4.0.

Smart Public Sector

Advances in digital technology allow the delivery of high-quality services to citizens, and public-sector productivity is now determined by interrelated measures. Delivering efficient, reliable, secure services while maintaining affordability will continue to be major challenges. The Smart Public-sector Program helps make governments more future-ready so that they can play an active role in productivity enhancement and contribute to socioeconomic development in the Asia-Pacific region.

Smart Services

The service sector is the largest, fastest-growing sector worldwide, making significant contributions to GDP and employment. It can be broadly grouped into the public sector, private corporate sector, and households. Technology plays a vital role in the service sector by increasing productivity and competitiveness through smart applications. The Smart Services Initiative helps increase productivity and competitiveness through capability building, consultancy, and policy advice utilizing the digital technologies of Industry 4.0.

Agriculture Transformation

The incorporation of the digital revolution into agriculture will automate most facets of farming and agribusiness. This requires a transformation process dependent on available infrastructure, financial capacities, technological know-how, and good business plans. Agricultural Transformation Initiative helps APO members meet multiple goals simultaneously: poverty reduction; food security; improved nutrition; climate change mitigation; biodiversity conservation; environmental sustainability; and empowerment of women.

Food Security

According to the 2019 Global Food Security Index, many Asian developing countries ranked in the lower half of the 113 nations surveyed. Most are struggling with the lack of nutritious food availability, accessibility, and affordability. In addition to those challenges, Asia accounts for more than 50% of the world population, and its increasing trend will continue. This food security initiative supports the development of sustainable food production and supply systems as a platform for productivity enhancement. It is based on comprehensive concepts of food security including innovative food value chains, revitalizing rural communities, sustainable agriculture, and the utilization of future food.