It is a regional Inter – Governmental and autonomous institution which came into existence in 1979 at the initiative of the countries of Asia Pacific region and the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) of the United Nations (UN) with support from several other UN bodies and donors.

• India is one of the key founder members of this Organization. 
• Its Headquarters is located at Dhaka, Bangladesh. 
• The objective of CIRDAP is to promote regional cooperation and act as a serving institution for its member countries for promotion of integrated rural development through research action, training, information dissemination etc. 

Members

1. Afghanistan
2. Bangladesh (Host State)
3. India
4. Indonesia
5. Iran
6. Lao PDR
7. Malaysia
8. Myanmar
9. Nepal
10. Pakistan
11. Philippines
12. Sri Lanka
13. Thailand
14. Vietnam
15. Fiji (Joined as 15th member on June 2010)
16. FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization ) – Member Organization.

India and CIRDAP

• Recently, Union cabinet has approved an agreement between Ministry of Rural Development and CIRDAP for establishment of CIRDAP Centre at National Institute of Rural Development and Panchayati Raj (NIRD&PR), Hyderabad.