Centre on Integrated Rural Development for Asia and the Pacific is a Bangladesh - based intergovernmental organization involved in rural development and poverty alleviation. It was established on 6 July 1979 at the initiative of the countries of the Asia - Pacific region and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations with support from several other UN bodies and donors. Initially, it had six members countries and has grown to fifteen. The agency is headquartered in Chameli House, a British Raj - era mansion in front of the Supreme Court of Bangladesh in Dhaka. Present director - general is Fiji's Tevita Boseiwaqa.