The Centre serves the needs of member states in the Near East in a broad range of issues related to agricultural and pastoral communities in rural regions. Working through a network of designated national Centres in member states, its functions and objectives are:
- To assist national action and to stimulate and promote regional cooperation relating to agrarian reform and rural development
- To improve the production, income, and living conditions of small-scale farmers, pastoral nomads, and other needy rural groups.
- To integrate rural people into the development process and to promote their involvement in the social, economic and cultural life of their communities.
- To serve member states in these fields by providing consultative services and technical support, fostering the exchange of ideas and experience, and encouraging collaborative activities for the benefit of the people of one or more member states.