BANGKOK: Malaysia has proposed the creation of the Asean Rural Development and Innovation Council (ARDIC) to strengthen regional cooperation in rural development across Southeast Asia.
Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said ARDIC would serve as a permanent platform to coordinate policies, share innovations, and collectively strengthen rural development across the region.
"ARDIC is expected to be a key driver in enhancing the exchange of technology, best practices, and expertise among all 11 Asean nations,” he told Bernama after attending the 14th Asean Ministers Meeting on Rural Development and Poverty Eradication (14th AMRDPE) here on Friday (Dec 12).
Ahmad Zahid, who is on a three-day working visit to Thailand, leads the Malaysian delegation to the 14th AMRDPE and Related Meetings.
He said Malaysia wished for the benefits of Asean's prosperity to be shared through experience sharing among member countries, particularly those yet to attain sustainable rural development.
Ahmad Zahid, who is also the Rural and Regional Development Minister, said Malaysia would celebrate Rural Development Day in July next year, in line with the United Nations declaration, to highlight the role of rural communities in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and improving their quality of life.
"The Rural and Regional Development Ministry will continue to play a constructive and authoritative role within the Asean framework, with a commitment to ensuring that rural communities remain the main beneficiaries of regional development towards Asean 2045.
"At the same time, efforts to enhance rural socioeconomics will continue to be strengthened through support for 55,400 entrepreneurs, particularly via digitalisation, to help them access wider markets across Asean,” he said.
The 14th AMRDPE also saw two Malaysian organisations, Energy Action Partners and GE Nitrate Solutions, receive the Asean Leadership Award in recognition of their contributions to rural development and poverty eradication. — Bernama
