The Thirty fourth meeting of the CIRDAP Technical Committee (TC-34) was held on 27-28th June, 2019 at the National Institute of Rural Development & Panchayati Raj (NIRD&PR) in Hyderabad, India. Delegates from all CIRDAP Member Countries (CMCs) except Pakistan attended the Meeting. Observers and Representatives of CIRDAPs key development partners were also present during the inaugural and technical session.
The inaugural session was held on 26th June 2019 at 11:30 am with the distinguished presence of guests and delegates. The speech of Chief Guest H.E. Shri. Narendra Singh Tomar, Honourable Union Minister, Secretary, Ministry of Rural Development, Government of India was delivered by Dr. W. R. Reddy, Director General of NIRD&PR. In his speech, the Minister conveyed, “We, the members of CIRDAP countries, with a combined population of 2,549 million, account for 34 per cent of global population. We, with our activities, will be impacting a combined rural population of 1,539 million in CIRDAP member countries”.
The Director General of CIRDAP Mr. Tevita G. Botswana Taginavulau, thanked NIRDPR, Ministry of Rural Development and Government of India (GoI) for hosting the TC meeting mentioning that, “Government of India has shown us the way how a member country can be a good team player in promoting regional cooperation amongst CIRDAP Member Countries within its means – an expression of trust, sharing and caring, and compassion especially with regards to CMCs with smaller economy”.
Dr. W.R. Reddy, Director General of NIRDPR welcomed the delegates and reassured India’s commitment to continue support towards CIRDAP. “NIRDPR is making a constant effort to innovate and reach out to a large number of functionaries. Innovative initiatives like operationalizing ‘A-VIEW’ will go a long way in reaching the large number of functionaries across the country” he added.
Mr. Meleti Bainimarama the former Chairperson of the Technical Committee and Permanent Secretary for Ministry of Rural Development, Government of Fiji highlighted the importance of collaboration stating that “It can never be stressed enough to member countries how imperative it is that we work together collaboratively to achieve the objectives of the establishment of CIRDAP. As member countries, we must not lose sight of CIRDAP’s vision of sustainable integrated rural development in Asia Pacific Region.”
Eng. Wassfi Hassan El-Sreihin, Secretary General of African-Asian Rural Development Organization (AARDO), Mr. Ravi Shankar Aisola, former Indian Ambassador to Lao PDR, Ms. Leena Johri, Joint Secretary, Department of Rural Development, GoI, MS. Radhika Rastogi, Deputy Director General of NIRD&PR were also spoke on the occasion as guests.
After the programme, the CIRDAP National Sub-Centre was ceremoniously inaugurated at the NIRD&PR campus in Hyderabad, India and tree saplings were planted marking the occasion.
