Centre on Integrated Rural Development for Asia and the Pacific (CIRDAP) is a regional, inter-governmental and autonomous institution. It was established in 1979 at the initiative of the countries of the Asia-Pacific region and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations with support from other UN organizations and donor countries/agencies. The member countries of CIRDAP are Afghanistan, Bangladesh (host state), Fiji, India, Indonesia, Iran, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Vietnam. The main objectives of the Centre are to (i) assist national action, (ii) promote regional cooperation, and (iii) act as a servicing institution for its member countries for promotion of integrated rural development through research, action research, and training and information dissemination. CIRDAP promotes technical cooperation among the nations of the region operating through designated Contact Ministries and Link Institutions in member countries. It plays a supplementary and reinforcing role in supporting and furthering the effectiveness of integrated rural development programmes in the Asia-Pacific region.