African-Asian Rural Development Organization (AARDO), formed in 1962, is an autonomous inter-governmental organization comprising 34 nations: 18 from Africa and 15 from Asia as full members, and one associate member from Asia. AARDO is devoted to developing understanding among members for better appreciation of each other's problems and to explore, collectively, opportunities for coordination of efforts for promoting welfare and eradication of thirst, hunger, illiteracy, disease and poverty amongst hundreds of millions of rural people. AARDO has its headquarters in New Delhi, India. India, one of the founding members of the AARDO, is the largest contributor in terms of membership.

Member states

History

The first Afro-Asian Conference on Rural Reconstruction was held in New Delhi in January 1961. The President of India inaugurated the conference which was attended by twenty three countries and five international organizations. At the end of the conference, the African-Asian Rural Reconstruction Organization was formed.

Secretaries general