India has been unanimously elected as the President of the African-Asian Rural Development Organization (AARDO) for the Triennium 2025-27 at the 21st General Session of the General Conference held in New Delhi from 21st-24th February 2025.
Key Elections at the 21st AARDO General Conference
- President: India
- Two Vice-Presidents: Malaysia (Asian Continent) and Ghana (African Continent)
About AARDO
- Established: 1962
- Type: Inter-governmental, international organization
Objective:
- Strengthening cooperation and understanding among member nations.
- Exploring opportunities for coordinated efforts in rural development.
- Promoting welfare among millions of rural people across Africa and Asia.
- Membership: 35 countries from Africa and Asia (including India).
India’s Role:
- Founder member of AARDO.
- Key contributor to its formation and development since 1962.
- AARDO General Conference: It serves as the supreme decision-making body of the organization. It
- Determines policies and programs for rural development.
- Approves the budget estimates and technical work programs for the next triennium.
- Exercises full control over AARDO’s finances.
- Elects the President, two Vice-Presidents (one each from Africa and Asia), and members of the Executive Committee.
- The 22nd Session of the General Conference will be hosted by India in 2027-28.
Significance of India’s Presidency
- Enhances India’s leadership in global rural development.
- Strengthens Indo-African and Indo-Asian collaboration in agriculture and rural welfare.
- Facilitates knowledge-sharing and policy coordination for sustainable rural development.