IORA Should Foster More Robust Collaboration For Prosperity
Malaysia’s Foreign Minister, Dato Saifuddin Abdullah, called on all Member States of the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) to foster more robust cooperation for tangible outcomes.
He said that doing this will enable the grouping to unleash the region’s potential in creating a shared destiny and path to prosperity. He was speaking at the 21ST Indian Ocean Rim Association council of ministers meeting on Nov 17 hosted by Bangladesh in a virtual event.
The Meeting was preceded by the 23rd IORA Council of Senior Officials Meeting held on 15-17 November 2021.
In the statement, Saifuddin spoke about health diplomacy, cultural diplomacy, maritime security, and other post-COVID-19 cooperation.
MARITIME SAFETY
On Maritime Safety and Security, Malaysia offered the expertise and technical knowledge of its Maritime Institute of Malaysia (MIMA).
With the theme “Harnessing the Opportunities of Indian Ocean Sustainably for Inclusive Development”, the 21st IORA COM discussed issues of mutual concern to create a safe and prosperous Indian Ocean region while ensuring inclusive development through existing cooperation between the IORA Member States and Dialogue Partners.
The 21st IORA Council of Ministers’ Meeting adopted the Dhaka Communiqué which highlighted, among others, IORA’s pivotal role in promoting inclusive development and emphasising the importance of safeguarding maritime security in the Indian Ocean region amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.
Malaysia has been an active member of IORA since 1997. IORA currently has 23 Member States that stretches from Asia to Africa and ten Dialogue Partners, which include, China, Egypt, Germany, Italy, Japan, South Korea, Russia, Turkey, the United Kingdom and the United States.