The Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) is a regional organisation of countries that border the Indian Ocean. It promotes economic cooperation and sustainable development in the region. Here is how it works.
History
The idea of an Indian Ocean grouping was promoted in the mid 1990s, including by South Africa and India. IORA was formally launched in March 1997 in Mauritius. It was earlier called the Indian Ocean Rim Association for Regional Cooperation and was renamed IORA in 2013.
Its secretariat is located in Ebene, Mauritius.
Members
IORA has 23 member states from Asia, Africa, the Middle East and Australia, including:
- India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Maldives
- Australia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand
- South Africa, Kenya, Tanzania, Mozambique, Madagascar, Mauritius, Seychelles, Somalia and Comoros
- Iran, Oman, UAE and Yemen
- France, through its Reunion territory
It also has dialogue partners, including major economies such as the United States, China, Japan, the United Kingdom, Germany and Russia.
Priority areas
- Maritime safety and security
- Trade and investment facilitation
- Fisheries management
- Disaster risk management
- Tourism and cultural exchanges
- Academic, science and technology cooperation
- Women’s economic empowerment
- Blue economy, which means sustainable use of ocean resources for growth and jobs
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How it works
- **Council of Ministers:** the highest decision making body, made up of foreign ministers, which meets every year or two
- **Committee of Senior Officials:** reviews and plans activities
- **Chair:** the chair rotates among member states, usually for two years, with a vice chair who later takes over
IORA works by consensus. In 2017, its first leaders’ summit was held in Jakarta, where members adopted the Jakarta Concord.
India and IORA
India is a founding member and chaired IORA from 2011 to 2013. India’s vision for the region is reflected in its SAGAR policy, Security and Growth for All in the Region, announced in 2015 and later expanded as MAHASAGAR. India supports IORA’s work on maritime safety, disaster management and the blue economy.
Why it matters
The Indian Ocean carries a large share of global trade, including oil shipments. Cooperation among rim countries helps keep sea lanes safe, manage fisheries and respond to disasters like cyclones and tsunamis.
Bottom line
IORA is the main regional forum for countries along the Indian Ocean. India sees it as a key platform for maritime cooperation and the blue economy.
Source / स्रोत: Indian Ocean Rim Association, Ministry of External Affairs
