Centre on Integrated Rural Development for Asia and the Pacific (CIRDAP) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with The Asian Productivity Organization (APO) to reinforce joint initiatives and support collaborative capacity-building and research initiatives in the Asia-Pacific region. Under this agreement, the organizations will work together to promote agriculture and rural development by undertaking joint projects in the area of common interest.

The MoU, which was signed after a bilateral meeting during the 59th Workshop Meeting of Heads of National Productivity Organizations in Yogyakarta, Indonesia, will strengthen CIRDAP to support CIRDAP member countries in capacity-building and research in collaboration with APO and NPOs. The agreement was officially signed by APO Secretary-General Dr. Santhi and CIRDAP Director General Tevita G. Boseiwaqa Taginavulau.

Mentioning the CIRDAP strategic Plan 2018-2022 that emphasize on strengthening collaboration with other organization, Director General of CIRDAP mentioned that the two organizations had been collaborating over the past three years, particularly through international training programs to help countries in the Asia-Pacific region meet their SDG 1 objective of ending poverty in all its forms everywhere and SDG 2 to eradicate hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition, and promote sustainable agriculture.

…this MOU will set the platform to explore other areas of collaboration apart from international training programs with more successes..

“We are proud to say that we have achieved common objectives through collaboration with the APO,” he said, adding that the partnership with the APO reaffirmed CIRDAP’s commitment to achieving SDG1 and SDG2. “We have certainly been governed by the spirit of SDG 17 to strengthen the areas of implementation and revitalize the global partnership for sustainable development. We anticipate, therefore, that this MOU will set the platform to explore other areas of collaboration apart from international training programs with more successes,” he added.

The Asian Productivity Organization (APO) is an intergovernmental organization committed to improving productivity in the Asia-Pacific region. Established in 1961, the APO contributes to the sustainable socioeconomic development of the region through policy advisory services, acting as a think tank, and undertaking smart initiatives in the industry, agriculture, service, and public sectors.