The meeting marked the commencement of the two year period of South Africa’s leadership of IORA as its Chair for the period 2017- 2019. The United Arab Emirates (UAE) also assumed its position as the Vice Chair which will enable it to become the next Chair of IORA in 2019.
The Meeting was attended by Ministers and representatives from the 21 IORA member states and seven Dialogue Partners; China, Egypt, Japan, France, Germany, the UK and the USA.
Government in March 2017 in Indonesia at the 20th Anniversary Leaders’ Summit focused on implementing the Action Plan endorsed by the leaders. The meeting also focused on increasing the engagement with the Dialogue Partners for a meaningful cooperation in advancing the objectives of the IORA.
Addressing the Meeting, Foreign Minister Marapana highlighted the vitality of the Indian Ocean for the progress of the region and the need to strengthen cooperation among the IORA member countries. He pointed out the importance of freedom of navigation as a historic norm that needs to be upheld by all littoral states, if the opportunities provided by the Indian Ocean are to be harnessed for the mutual benefit of all. Elaborating further, Minister Marapana stressed on the requirement for developing an Indian Ocean Order that would provide a set of rules and conditions for the peaceful engagement and interactions between IORA member countries, based on the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea. He added that it will be an arrangement for mutual convenience to strengthen the IORA unity, togetherness and cooperation, in order to ensure the freedom of navigation and unimpeded lawful maritime commerce and over-flight in the Indian Ocean.
The Minister also proposed to the meeting of the Ministers to establish an Indian Ocean Development Fund by IORA, to craft the necessary financial armory for the future of the Indian Ocean rim nations.
Minister Marapana conveyed Sri Lanka’s support to the proposed Working Group on Maritime Safety and Security, one of the six priority areas of IORA. The Meeting approved Sri Lanka as the lead coordinating country for Maritime Safety and Security Working Group with a task to ensure progress is made under this important priority area of IORA.
The Minister also presented Sri Lanka’s proposal to be the Chair of IORA, for the period 2021 – 2023 and thereby to become the Vice-Chair from 2019-2021. The Council welcomed the proposals which will be submitted to the member countries for consideration.
As an outcome document the Meeting of Council of Ministers, the IORA Ministers adopted the Durban Communique which provided further impetus to the ongoing projects and work plans in IORA. The Ministerial Meeting was preceded by Senior Officials Meeting and other meetings related to investment and trade and the academic group.
