Update: 1:30PM THE Centre on Intergrated Rural Development for Asia and the Pacific (CIRDAP’s) 7th Regional Policy Dialogue Meeting officially opens in Nadi today.

While welcoming  the 15-member
states from the Asia Pacific region, Minister for Rural Development Inia
Seruiratu said climate change had a major impact on rural development.

“The Asia Pacific is
the most vulnerable and we are the most affected by climate change especially
in the Pacific where we experienced damaging cyclones and floods in recent
years,” he said.

CIRDAP director general Dr
Cecep Effendi said the meeting would focus on strengthening poverty
alleviation programs by CIRDAP-member countries to provide a better chance for
the needy.

Countries represented in
the meeting include Afghanistan, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Phillipines,
Indonesia, Bangladesh, Nepal, Iran, Malaysia, Vietnam, Myanmar, Lao PDR, India
and Fiji.