On 6 September 2024, The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) unanimously adopted a draft resolution (A/78/L.84/Rev.2) proclaiming 6th July of every year as “World Rural Development Day” (WRDD).
- The first-ever United Nations(UN’s) World Rural Development Day will be observed on 6 July, 2025.
- The establishment of WRDD is to call for global attention and response to accelerate actions on rural development to meet the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in 2030.
Purpose:
WRDD aims to remind everyone about their role and responsibility for collaborative actions and efforts on integrated rural development as outlined in the SDGs.
About the UNGA Resolution:
i.The resolution was initiated by Bangladesh and supported by a core group of countries comprising India, Nepal, Peru, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, Thailand, etc.
ii.The resolution aims to emphasise rural development’s role in achieving the SDGs by 2030, particularly in areas like poverty alleviation, food security, and ecosystem restoration.
iii.At least 30 countries co-sponsored the resolution, which was adopted by consensus by the Member States of the UN without voting.
Why 6 July?
6 July commemorates the establishment of the Center on Integrated Rural Development for Asia and the Pacific (CIRDAP) in 1979.
- CIRDAP is a regional, intergovernmental, and autonomous organisation established at the initiative of the countries of the Asia-Pacific region and the Food and Agricultural Organisation of the UN (FAO).
Background:
i.On 15 December 2020, the date of 6 July has been proposed to the FAO and CIRDAP members for establishment by the Secretariat of CIRDAP.
ii.On 21 April 2022, the Governing Council of CIRDAP at its 23rd Session in Bangkok, Thailand, endorsed the initiative to establish WRDD on 6 July 2022.
iii.CIRDAP launched WRDD through the webinar presented by the Director General (DG) of CIRDAP at the 43rd anniversary of CIRDAP held on 25th July 2022.
iv.On 28 July 2022, CIRDAP requested Bangladesh’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs to propose the day to the UNGA.
- The proposal to establish WRDD was submitted directly to the UNGA through Bangladesh’s Permanent Mission to the UN in New York (the United States of America (USA)), as recommended by the FAO.
Note: The UNGA also adopted a resolution titled United Nations Games which calls for the convening of the UN Games annually. It is invited relevant stakeholders to make voluntary contributions to a trust fund dedicated to the Games.
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About the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA):
President– Dennis Francis
Headquarters– New York, the United States of America (USA)
Established– 1945
