As the annual APO summit held every year by representatives of the national APO Directors of member economies, GBM decides many important APO policy issues, such as annuity and fiscal policies, budget for the year, etc. This meeting also welcomed new member, Turkey.

Due to the influence of the Covid-19 epidemic, the 62nd GBM was organized in an online form. Dr. Ha Minh Hiep, Standing APO Director of Vietnam, Deputy Director General of the Directorate for Standards, Metrology and Quality is the Head of the Vietnamese delegation attending the Conference.

The Meeting elected Deputy General Director Ha Minh Hiep as APO President for the term of 2020-2021. This is also the second time after 21 years Vietnam has taken on this important role.

Speaking at the Conference, Deputy General Director Ha Minh Hiep thanked the support of member economies, and emphasized the historic moment of APO when most member economies were influenced by Covid-19 pandemic.

This is the time for APO and its member economies to develop a new and clear strategy and vision to unite together to overcome the difficult period, enhance productivity activities according to the new situation to restore the post-Covid-19 economy.

According to APO Secretary General, Dr. AKP Mochtan, Covid-19 epidemic greatly affected APO's activities when 40/59 multinational projects had to be postponed and some projects had to be canceled or were considering the carried possibility during the Covid-19 epidemic, there were still unpredictable developments in some member economies. In response to the current situation, APO has rapidly implemented and strengthened digital platforms, such as online seminars, online training courses, and online consultations to timely support member economies.

Under the direction of the new APO President, Standing APO Director of Vietnam, Deputy General Director of Ha Minh Hiep, the conference approved many important decisions including: Financial Statements of APO 2019,  APO's budget for the period of 2021-2022, reform of salary structure and social welfare for APO Secretariat, activities to support member economies to deal with Covid-19 and restore the economy, National and regional awards of APO.