Chief Director of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, chairs the 77th Edition of AARDO’s Executive Committee meeting

The African Asian Rural Development Organisation (AARDO) convened its 77^th Executive Committee (EC) meeting on the 19^th and 20^th of February 2025 in New Delhi, India. The meeting was presided over by Alhaji Amin Abdul-Rahaman, Chief Director of the Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy, and Religious Affairs of the Republic of Ghana, who also served as the President of the 20^th Executive Committee of AARDO.

The event saw participation from the 13 member countries who forms the 20^th Executive Committee, including Ghana, as the President, Malaysia, serving as Vice President for the Asian region, and Egypt, as Vice President for the African region and five other member countries each from Africa and Asia. Delegates engaged in the exchange of experiences and collaborated on strategies to enhance the benefits for member countries and outline the organisation's future direction.

Following the 77^th EC session, AARDO held its 21^st Conference, which was attended by all 35 member countries, including the newly admitted Kingdom of Eswatini. During this session, the Hon. Minister for Rural Development and Communication of the Republic of India was elected as the new President of AARDO for the triennium 2025-2027.

In accordance with AARDO's Constitution and Rules of Procedures, the outgoing President, Alhaji Amin Abdul-Rahaman, was appointed as the next Vice President for the African region and will serve on the 21^st Executive Committee. Additionally, the Minister for Rural and Regional Development of Malaysia was re-elected as Vice President for the Asian region. The other 10 members of the 21^st Executive Committee that were elected include Arab Republic of Egypt, Republic of Kenya, Republic of Mauritius, Republic of Namibia and Republic of Zambia from Africa, and People’s Republic of Bangladesh, Republic of China (Taiwan), Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, State of Palestine and Syrian Arab Republic from Asia. The newly elected 21^st Executive Committee held its first session on February 24, 2025, marking the 78^th Session of AARDO's Executive Committee.

AARDO continues to strengthen diplomatic relations among its members through its regular executive meetings.