The African-Asian Rural Development Organization (AARDO), in its 21^st General Session of the General Conference, held in New Delhi from 21^st-24^th February, 2025 unanimously elected India as President for the Triennium 2025-27.

 The AARDO, in its 21^st Session, unanimously elected India as Presidents and Malaysia from the Asian Continent and Ghana from the African Continent as the two Vice-Presidents. After being elected as President, on behalf of Union Minister for Rural Development and Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Minister of State for Rural Development & Communications Dr. Chandra Sekhar Pemmasani in his acceptance speech thanked all the member countries for believing in the leadership of India and giving opportunity to India to lead the organization and assured that every efforts shall be made to achieve the objectives of AARDO with the unified strength from all member countries. He also assured full support to AARDO from India in its endeavours.

 After taking over the Presidency from Ghana, Dr. Pemmasani presided over the 08 business sessions comprising 17 agenda for over three days on 21st, 22^nd and 24^th February, 2024. During these business sessions, the Conference approved, among others,  the Work Programme for the Triennium 2025-27, budget estimates for the Triennium 2025-27, enrolment of new members in AARDO, amendment to the Constitution and Rules of Procedure of AARDO as well as 25 new MoUs that AARDO signed with other organizations. Of these, the amendment to the Constitution and Rules of Procedure was pending since the year 2012.

The AARDO Conference, consisting of all members of the Organization, is the supreme decision making authority on all matters relating to AARDO. It determines the policies and programmes, approves the budget estimates and technical work programmes for the next triennium and exercises full control over the finances of the Organization. The Conferences elects the President, two Vice-Presidents, one each from Africa and Asia and members of the Executive Committee. The General Session of the AARDO Conference is held every three years.

          The Conference also constituted the Executive Committee, comprising of the President, two Vice-Presidents and 10 members (5-each from both the Continents) and which enjoys all the powers of the Conference during the interval of two (2) consecutive General Sessions of the AARDO. The Conference also decided that the 22^nd Session of the General Conference shall be hosted by the India in the year 2027-28.

          The 21^st General Session concluded on 24^th February, 2025 with the approval and adoption of the summary report of the 21^st General Conference.

AARDO, formed in the year 1962 is an inter-governmental, international organization, which is devoted to developing understanding among members for better appreciation of each other's problems and to explore, collectively, opportunities for coordination of efforts for promoting welfare amongst hundreds of millions of rural people.  It has, at present, thirty-five members from Africa and Asia.  India was one of the founder members of the AARDO and has played a significant and crucial role in formation and development of AARDO since its inception in 1962.

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MG/RN/KSR

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