The formation of African-Asian Rural Development Organization (AARDO) [earlier known as Afro-Asian Rural Development Organization] in 1962 underscored the far-sightedness of the social and political leaders of Asia and Africa in recognising the need for cooperation among the countries in the field of agriculture and rural development. AARDO which is one of the earliest examples of South-South cooperation in rural development in the Afro-Asian region, is an autonomous inter-governmental Organization comprising country governments of Africa and Asia. The Organization was set up with a view to promote coordinated efforts, exchange of experiences and cooperative action for furthering the objectives of development of the rural areas. AARDO a non-political body enjoys observer status with various UN and other international organisations like Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), International Cooperative Alliance (ICA), Centre on Integrated Rural Development for Asia and the Pacific (CIRDAP), etc. It also promotes collaboration with various international organisations for the economic and social welfare of the rural community.
Goal
Keeping in view the socio-economic scenario of the developing countries of Afro-Asian region, AARDO is mandated to address both agriculture and rural development. AARDO should make "Sustainable Agriculture and Rural Development" of its member countries as its main goal. In line with this goal, the Organization should have its own Vision and Mission that would provide proper direction to the activities of the Organization and the results it can achieve. As a result, the Vision and Mission of AARDO should be as follows:
Vision
The Vision of AARDO is "to improve the quality of life " of the rural people in the Afro-Asian member countries of AARDO.
Mission
The Mission of AARDO is to catalyse efforts of the Afro-Asian countries, to help them "restructure their rural societies and to reconstruct the economy of their rural people", by launching concerted, and wherever possible, cooperative action with determination, by the member countries of the Afro-Asian region.
Areas of Concern
As enshrined in the Constitution the Areas of Concern are :
