Theme: Women in Value Chains and Agri-Food Systems Transformation. Topic: A review of the Social Protection Landscape in South-East Asia in the context of poverty alleviation strategies. The Centre on Integrated Rural Development for Asia and the Pacific (CIRDAP), in collaboration with its esteemed partner institution, the African Asian Rural Development Organization (AARDO), is pleased to announce the 76th webinar of the CIRDAP Knowledge Series. This webinar will review the poverty reduction trajectories in Southeast Asia, which experienced a faster poverty decline than other developing regions. The review focuses on Thailand, Indonesia, Viet Nam, and Malaysia and draws comparisons of policy approach especially in the period following the financial crisis of 1997. The study employs a multi-stage literature review of 259 peer-reviewed studies, synthesising the key publications, with the analysis centred on policies on rural development, poverty, social protection, micro-credit, and agriculture in the four countries. 🎙️ ESTEEMED SPEAKER Dr. Ruchira Bhattacharya Professor, Centre for CSR, PPP & PA and Head National Institute of Rural Development and Panchayati Raj (NIRDPR), Delhi Branch New Delhi, India 📅 DATE & TIME Monday, 19 October 2026 🕚 11:00 AM Bangladesh Time (BST) 🕥 10:30 AM India Time (IST) 💻 JOIN THE WEBINAR Platform: Zoom 🔗 Join Zoom Meeting: https://zoom.us/j/93392450631?pwd=DF8ux2joCr9fpW8bNRmOadM4ULuNkL.1 Meeting ID: 933 9245 0631 Passcode: 626270 📌 Click here for Zoom meeting instructions 🌱 Be Part of the Conversation! Join us to exchange knowledge, explore effective social protection strategies, and discuss pathways towards poverty alleviation and inclusive rural development across South-East Asia. Learn from experience. Discover what works. Strengthen rural development. We look forward to your participation! Also, please circulate to your peers, colleagues and other stakeholders for wider participation.

We must move beyond viewing rural communities merely as beneficiaries of development programmes, we must recognize them as partners, innovators and drivers of development. – Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya The Asia-Pacific Conference on Innovations in Rural Development, held from October 7 to 9, is jointly organised by the Centre on Integrated Rural Development for Asia and the Pacific (CIRDAP) and the Hector Kobbekaduwa Agrarian Research and Training Institute (HARTI). The conference provides a platform for sharing practical ideas and innovations aimed at building more resilient, inclusive and sustainable rural communities. Addressing the occasion, Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya stated that the technological advancements have had, and continue to have, a significant impact on rural communities, transforming the digital landscape and bringing significant changes to areas such as transportation and connectivity stressing the importance of ensuring that communities that have been left behind also benefit from these transformations through innovative approaches. The Prime Minister further emphasised that the responsibility of governments and institutions is to create the conditions in which these ideas can flourish. She stated that this requires investment in rural innovation, skills and digital literacy; improved access to finance, technology and markets; stronger value chains connecting research, finance, producers and consumers; and governance that listens to rural communities and recognises their knowledge and agency. Highlighting the importance of moving beyond viewing rural communities primarily as beneficiaries of development programmes, she emphasized the need for recognising them as partners, innovators and drivers of development. Moreover, the climate change, food and nutrition security, rural youth employment, agricultural productivity, market access, disaster resilience and the sustainable management of natural resources cannot be addressed by countries working in isolation. She further stated that this conference provides an important opportunity to bring together rural communities, farmers, researchers, young people, women entrepreneurs, universities, development organisations, the private sector and government institutions to exchange knowledge, experiences and innovative solutions. “Regional cooperation allows us to learn not only from experiences similar to our own, but also from approaches that challenge us to think differently,” the Prime Minister stated . Noting that Sri Lanka has contributed to CIRDAP’s institutional processes through its participation in the Governing Council, Executive Committee and Technical Committee, as well as through the engagement of Sri Lankan officials and experts in training programmes, workshops, conferences and policy dialogues, she stated that ” the value of this cooperation goes beyond individual programmes. It lies in building relationships between institutions, researchers, policymakers and practitioners, comparing experiences, learning from both successes and failures, and adapting regional knowledge to our own national realities. The occasion was attended by Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation K. D. Lal Kantha; Minister of Rural Development, Social Security and Community Empowerment Upali Pannilage; Director General of CIRDAP Dr. P. Chandra Shekara; Director of HARTI Prof. Dr. A. L. Sandika; and participants from countries across the CIRDAP region.

The Centre on Integrated Rural Development for Asia and the Pacific (CIRDAP), in collaboration with DAKSHIN Global South Centre of Excellence, RIS, India, is organising a 3 day International Online Training Programme to strengthen the capacity of health professionals in adopting telemedicine and digital health solutions for rural and underserved communities. 📅 1 to 3 December 2026💻 Online🎟️ Participation is FREE The programme will focus on:🔹 Telemedicine and digital health trends in the Asia Pacific region🔹 Rural digital health infrastructure and last-mile access🔹 Regional good practices and country case studies🔹 Clinical service delivery models for rural telemedicine🔹 Policy, regulation and institutional capacity🔹 Regional cooperation, financing and sustainable scaling The training will feature expert presentations, practical case studies, interactive question and answer sessions, and experience sharing among participants.Government officials, university faculty, public health professionals, hospital managers, researchers, NGO representatives, ICT specialists and rural development practitioners from CIRDAP Member Countries and other interested countries are encouraged to participate. 📝 Last date for registration: 20 November 2026🔗 Register online for FREE: https://forms.gle/ZPdYigWbZuir8wX77📖 Please find the full brochure here: Click here Join this regional learning platform to explore innovative and sustainable approaches to expanding digital health services and improving healthcare access and equity in rural communities.

Theme: Women in Value Chains and Agri-Food Systems Transformation. On the occasion of the International Year of the Woman Farmer (IYWF) 2026, the Asia-Pacific Association of Agricultural Research Institutions (APAARI) and the Centre on Integrated Rural Development for Asia and the Pacific (CIRDAP), in collaboration with ARINEENA, CACAARI, AFRAS, and FARA, are jointly organizing a webinar series to highlight and advance the vital contributions of women farmers to sustainable and resilient agri-food systems. As part of this initiative, CIRDAP Knowledge Series – 64 will feature a webinar: Women in Value Chains and Agri-Food Systems Transformation 📅 Date: 29 September 2026 🕒 Time: 3:00 PM (Bangkok Time) | 2:00 PM (Dhaka Time) 💻 Platform: Zoom The United Nations has designated 2026 as the International Year of the Woman Farmer, providing a global platform to recognize the indispensable contributions of women across agri-food systems—from production and processing to marketing, trade, and entrepreneurship. Despite their significant contributions to food security, nutrition, rural livelihoods, and economic resilience, women farmers continue to face persistent barriers, including limited access to land and tenure rights, finance, technology, markets, agricultural services, education, and decision-making opportunities. IYWF 2026 seeks to turn recognition into action by raising global awareness, promoting inclusive policies, and advancing practical solutions to close gender gaps and strengthen the livelihoods, leadership, and resilience of women farmers. This webinar will provide an opportunity for experts, practitioners, policymakers, researchers, and development stakeholders to exchange experiences, explore emerging opportunities, and discuss pathways for strengthening women’s participation and leadership across agricultural value chains and transforming agri-food systems. Join us in recognizing, empowering, and investing in the women who help feed the world. 🔗 Registration Link: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/CisU-ZeARJWW70qXc_TjEA#/registration Note: After registration, participants will receive a confirmation email containing the meeting link to join the webinar.   We look forward to your active participation and support in making this global conversation a meaningful step towards more inclusive, equitable, and transformative agri-food systems.

CIRDAP–PRDIS, India Collaborative Webinar 🌾 From Policies to People: What Really Makes Rural Development Work? Rural development is not simply about economic growth, it is about building resilient communities, strengthening livelihoods, ensuring food and nutrition security, protecting ecosystems, and leaving no one behind. Drawing on diverse field experiences, grassroots interventions, and rural development programmes, this webinar will explore the critical factors that turn development initiatives into lasting results with – 🎙️ ESTEEMED SPEAKER Prof. S. V. ReddyAgricultural Extension & Rural Development Specialist President & Executive DirectorParticipatory Rural Development Initiatives Society (PRDIS), Hyderabad, India Former Professor of Agricultural ExtensionANGRAU Advisor, Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Husbandry and FisheriesGovernment of Uganda Consultant: World Bank | FAO 📅 DATE & TIME Tuesday, 17 September 2026🕚 11:00 AM Bangladesh Time10:30 AM India Time 💻 JOIN THE WEBINAR Zoom Meeting Meeting ID: 971 5572 7697Passcode: 352764 Join Zoom Meeting Key Insights the Webinar Will Explore 🔹 Community Ownership & Participation – Putting rural communities at the heart of development 🔹 Strong Institutions & Local Leadership – Building institutions that can deliver and sustain results 🔹 Context-Specific Approaches – Adapting programmes to local needs, realities, and capacities 🔹 Inclusion of Vulnerable Communities – Ensuring marginalized groups benefit meaningfully from development 🔹 Good Governance & Accountability – Strengthening transparency, responsiveness, and trust 🔹 Sustainable Financial Inclusion – Expanding access to appropriate financial opportunities and services 🔹 Convergence & Strategic Partnerships – Bringing together government, civil society, communities, development partners, and other stakeholders Why Join? Gain practical perspectives on what works, what sustains, and what makes rural development programmes successful—and discover lessons that can inform the design and implementation of more inclusive, effective, and sustainable rural development initiatives. Be Part of the Conversation! Learn from experience. Discover what works. Strengthen rural development. CIRDAP – Centre on Integrated Rural Development for Asia and the Pacificin collaboration with Participatory Rural Development Initiatives Society (PRDIS), India

You are cordially invited to join another exciting collaborative Webinar in the CIRDAP Knowledge series, 2026, titled: ‘Climate -Informed Seasonal Flood Forecasting for Strengthening Rural Livelihood Resilience in Bangladesh’.  Date: (Tuesday), August 25, 2026, at 11 am Bangladesh Time. Dr. Rashed Chowdhury, Applications Scientist, Independent Consultant || Water, Climate, & Society; Adjunct Faculty—Arizona State University || USA, will be graced as an esteemed speaker. Abstract of the talk Bangladesh’s rural communities are highly vulnerable to seasonal flooding, which threatens agriculture, food security, and livelihoods. Existing flood forecasting systems provide reliable short-term warnings but offer limited support for seasonal agricultural planning and rural development. The webinar will be focused on developing climate-informed seasonal forecasts by integrating large-scale climate drivers, including the El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO), the Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD), and the Madden–Julian Oscillation (MJO), to predict monsoon rainfall and flood risk months in advance. The resulting seasonal outlooks will support informed decisions on crop planning, resource management, and disaster preparedness, strengthening rural resilience and reducing climate-related losses in Bangladesh. Webinar Link Topic: Webinar on ‘Climate-Informed Seasonal Flood Forecasting for Strengthening Rural Livelihood Resilience in Bangladesh’ Time: Aug 25, 2026 11:00 AM Dhaka Join Zoom Meeting https://zoom.us/j/98216039450?pwd=vQ7kSj0SIiDgqF7xJwqz6rPBucsUnX.1 View meeting insights https://zoom.us/launch/edl?muid=f66efe2d-1eb5-471a-9dd3-d0ddd2261dc6 Meeting ID: 982 1603 9450 Passcode: 977412 — Join by SIP • 98216039450@zoomcrc.com Join instructions https://zoom.us/meetings/98216039450/invitations?signature=5LicuVNQQdYB7qAmeivY9ptzPuvzCiLhBxGe-oDbpOM

Artificial Intelligence is reshaping the world, and it is time to bring its power to our rural communities. The Centre on Integrated Rural Development for Asia and the Pacific (CIRDAP) and the Pacific Islands Development Forum (PIDF) invite you to a premier collaborative international online training programme. 🌟 Programme Highlights Artificial Intelligence is no longer just for tech hubs. This intensive three day programme focuses on practical, ethical, and sustainable AI deployment specifically tailored for rural ecosystems and low connectivity environments.• Dates: 18 to 20 August 2026• Mode: Online via Zoom• Schedule: 2 sessions per day (90 minutes each, total 3 hours per day)• Registration Deadline: 10 August 2026, Free (Registration required) 🔑 Key Themes Covered• Foundations of AI and global policy trends• Rural data readiness and predictive planning• AI in agriculture, climate, healthcare, and education• Deployment architectures for low connectivity environments• Responsible AI, ethical governance, and community engagement• Actionable capstone exercise for field level execution 👥 Who Should ParticipateThis programme is designed for policymakers and government officials engaged in rural development planning, development practitioners and non-governmental organizations working at grassroots level, academics and researchers focusing on rural innovation, and technology innovators and entrepreneurs developing solutions for underserved communities. Registration Link: https://forms.gle/dXyeLF5PZTKQxnoq8 View the Brochure: Click here For any queries contact Dr. Venkatamallu Thadaboina, Programme Officer Learning, CIRDAPEmail: po_learning@cirdap.org, WhatsApp: +91 9866681774

CIRDAP in association with Asia-Pacific Rural and Agricultural Credit Association (APRACA) is going to organize a Webinar on ‘‘Food Security – Green Bonds’.  Dr. Prasun Kumar Das Secretary General, APRACA, Bangkok, Thailand will be graced as esteemed speaker.  The webinar is scheduled on Thursday, August 6, 2026, at 11 am Bangladesh Time (12:00 PM Bangkok time) Meeting Link Topic: Webinar with APRACA on Food Security – Green Bonds Time: Aug 6, 2026 11:00 AM Dhaka Join Zoom Meeting https://zoom.us/j/95994324748?pwd=eD1AOhXqhfQ3ae9Eg5SDQZLNq2VKE9.1 Meeting ID: 959 9432 4748 Passcode: 489025 — Join by SIP • 95994324748@zoomcrc.com Join instructions https://zoom.us/meetings/95994324748/invitations?signature=xiWOPQenN0dpoit0eSJHt09tTL3uOoN4Vmqg8VAVJ0U Abstract Global food systems are facing unprecedented challenges due to climate change, land degradation, biodiversity loss, and increasing food demand. According to the FAO, approximately 673 million people worldwide suffer from hunger, while more than 2.3 billion people experience moderate or severe food insecurity. At the same time, agriculture requires substantial investments to transition toward climate-resilient and sustainable production systems. Traditional public financing alone is insufficient to meet these investment needs. Innovative financial instruments, particularly Green Bonds, have emerged as an effective mechanism for mobilizing private capital to support environmentally sustainable and climate-smart agricultural investments. Food Security Green Bonds are thematic green bonds designed to finance projects that simultaneously enhance food security, climate resilience, and environmental sustainability. They channel investment into climate-smart agriculture, sustainable irrigation, renewable energy for agriculture, efficient water management, sustainable fisheries, agroforestry, soil restoration, and resilient rural infrastructure. These bonds provide governments, development banks, and financial institutions with an opportunity to attract institutional investors while contributing to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 2 (Zero Hunger), SDG 13 (Climate Action), and SDG 15 (Life on Land). Under the Knowledge Series, a regional webinar on “Food Security – Green Bonds” would provide a platform to explore innovative financing mechanisms for resilient rural development and promote investment opportunities across CIRDAP Member Countries.

The Centre on Integrated Rural Development for Asia and the Pacific (CIRDAP) commemorated its 47th Foundation Day alongside the 2nd Observance of World Rural Development Day (WRDD) 2026 through a grand ceremony and reception held at the CIRDAP International Conference Centre (CICC), 17 Topkhana Road, Dhaka. The event brought together ministers, senior government officials, ambassadors and high commissioners, diplomats, representatives of international organizations, development partners, academia, civil society, the private sector, and the media, reaffirming their collective commitment to advancing inclusive, resilient, and sustainable rural development across Asia and the Pacific. The programme was graced by His Excellency Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, Honorable Minister of the Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives, Government of Bangladesh, as the Chief Guest and Chairperson of the CIRDAP Governing Council. Distinguished dignitaries from the Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Local Government Division, and the Rural Development and Cooperatives Division of the Government of Bangladesh attended the programme as Special Guest and Guests of Honour. The ceremony commenced with a welcome address by Dr. P. Chandra Shekara, Director General of CIRDAP, who reaffirmed CIRDAP’s enduring commitment to promoting integrated rural development through regional cooperation, policy dialogue, capacity development, innovation, and knowledge sharing. He highlighted that since its establishment in 1979, CIRDAP has served as a unique intergovernmental platform, enabling its Member Countries to exchange experiences, share best practices, and develop practical solutions to common rural development challenges. Speaking on CIRDAP’s future vision, Dr. Shekara emphasized the organization’s long-term strategic aspiration to expand its regional outreach by welcoming 40 non-member countries across Asia and the Pacific into the CIRDAP family. He announced that CIRDAP has formally approached all forty non-member countries and expressed his sincere appreciation to the Honorable Minister for personally addressing invitation letters to these countries, seeking their support in strengthening regional cooperation for sustainable rural development. Welcoming the distinguished guests to the historic Chameli House, as the Chief Guest His Excellency, Honorable Minister of LGRD described the occasion as a landmark moment, celebrating two significant milestones—the 47th Anniversary of CIRDAP and the 2nd global observance of World Rural Development Day. He further noted that this year’s celebration marked another historic achievement. For the first time in CIRDAP’s history, Ambassadors and High Commissioners of Asia-Pacific countries with diplomatic missions in Bangladesh were invited to participate in the observance. This convergence is a powerful symbol of regional pride and presence significantly enhanced the diplomatic and regional significance of the event and demonstrated a shared commitment to strengthening cooperation for rural development throughout the Asia-Pacific region. The chief guest also highlighted that World Rural Development Day was proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly through a resolution initiated by the Government of Bangladesh, representing a proud achievement for the country and a global recognition of the importance of rural transformation in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. A major highlight of the celebration was the official unveiling of two flagship CIRDAP publications: The programme also featured the announcement of the 15 winners of the CIRDAP–REEDS International Rural Innovation Challenge 2026, selected from across the Asia-Pacific region. In addition, five outstanding rural innovations from Bangladesh, the host country of CIRDAP, received Special Mention in recognition of their exceptional contributions toward addressing rural development challenges and promoting sustainable livelihoods. The celebration concluded with a Signature Campaign, in which the distinguished guests reaffirmed their collective commitment to promoting inclusive, resilient, and sustainable rural development across the region. The dual observance underscored CIRDAP’s continued leadership in fostering regional cooperation, innovation, and knowledge exchange, while reinforcing the global significance of World Rural Development Day as a platform for accelerating rural transformation and ensuring that rural communities remain at the heart of sustainable development.