The first-ever United Nations (UN’s) World Rural Development Day (WRDD) is observed across the globe on July 6 to raise awareness among everyone about their role and responsibility for collaborative actions and efforts on integrated rural development as outlined in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
- The day also commemorates the establishment of Dhaka (Bangladesh) based Centre on Integrated Rural Development for Asia and the Pacific (CIRDAP) on July 6, 1979.
2025 Focus:
The WRDD 2025 is focussed on “Rural Empowerment – Global Impact,” highlights the crucial role of rural communities, particularly women, Indigenous groups, and youth, in driving agricultural progress, strengthening food security, preserving ecosystems, and promoting inclusive governance.
- The priority themes of WRDD 2025 include Ending Rural Poverty & Hunger, Climate-Resilient Livelihoods, Digital & Financial Inclusion, Empowering Women & Youth, and Infrastructure & Services.
Background:
i.On 6 September 2024, the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) unanimously adopted a draft resolution (A/78/L.84/Rev.2) proclaiming July 6 of every year as WRDD.
ii.The resolution was initiated by Bangladesh and supported by a core group of countries comprising India, Nepal, Peru, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, Thailand, etc.
iii.At least 30 countries co-sponsored the resolution, which was adopted by consensus by the Member States of the United Nations (UN) without voting.
About UN Vision for Rural Development:
The UN Vision for Rural Development are as follows:
- Aligns with the 2030 Agenda and Addis Ababa Action Agenda.
- Calls for an integrated economic, social & environmental approach.
- Puts women & youth empowerment, especially land rights, front and centre.
- Promotes multi-stakeholder partnerships and knowledge exchange.
- Encourages a voluntary funding model for observance activities.
Importance of WRDD:
Rural Development includes geography, poverty, equity, food security and sustainability.
i.Poverty and Inequality: 80% of the world’s poorest people live in rural areas, earning less than USD 2.15 per day.
- As per the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) 2024 Report, more than 1 billion people face acute multidimensional poverty, among which more than half are children.
ii.Agriculture & Food Safety: As per the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the family farms produce 80% of the world’s food. Women make up 43% of the agricultural workforce, however, they face barriers to land, credit and technology.
iii.Climate and Connectivity: Rural areas are more vulnerable to droughts, floods and extreme heat. In 2024, 83% of urban residents used the internet, among which 50% were in rural areas, as per a report from the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) in 2024.
WRDD observance in India:
CIRDAP and Ramanathapuram (Tamil Nadu, TN) based Rural Economic and Educational Development Society (REEDS), in collaboration with the Department of Rural Development and Panchayati Raj, Government of Andhra Pradesh(AP), celebrated WRDD 2025 by launching the WRDD poster at the Andhra Pradesh (AP) Secretariat in Amaravathi, AP.
- The event, led by Shashi Bhushan Kumar, Indian Administrative Officer (IAS), Principal Secretary, and M Krishna Teja, IAS, Commissioner, emphasized awareness campaigns to showcase rural development milestones and welfare schemes.
About Centre on Integrated Rural Development for Asia and the Pacific (CIRDAP):
CIRDAP is a regional, intergovernmental, and autonomous organization, established at the initiative of the countries of the Asia-Pacific region and the Rome (Italy) based FAO of the UN
- Initially 6 countries joined CIRDAP, which is now expanded to member countries such as Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Fiji, India, Indonesia, Iran, Lao People’s Democratic Republic (PDR), Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Vietnam.
Director General(DG) – Dr. P. Chandra Shekara
Headquarters – Dhaka, Bangladesh
Members – 15
Established – 1979
