The Centre for Integrated Rural Development for Asia and the Pacific (CIRDAP), the only inter governmental organisation with its headquaiters in Bangladesh, completed its 23rd year of existence yesterday covering multi facet areas towards its avowed objectives of rural development and poverty alleviation in the region

I In issue ol rural development and pmnn alleviation icmains high in the development agenda of

the developing and least developed countries in the Asia- pacific region and CIRDAP has contributed immensely towards accomplishing this goal," said its Director General Mya Mating marking its foundation anniversary. This regional and autonomous institution was established in July. 197^.nt the initiative of the countries of the Asia-Pacific region and Food and Agriculture organisation (FAO) of the UN and support from several other UN bodies and donors.

Beginning with less number of countries, CIRDAP membership has now swelled to 13 as more nations joined it considering the usefulness of the organisation. Its member states include Afghanistan, Bangladesh, India, Indonesia. I AO PDR, Malaysia. Myanmar. Nepal. Pakistan, the Philippines. Sri Lanka. Thailand and Vietnam. Bangladesh, which threw its weight towards the setting up of the pride institution in 1979. extended all possible cooperation to its subsequent development.