IORA Leaders Summit held in Jakarta

March 9, 2017

The Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) Leaders’ Summit was recently held in Jakarta, capital of Indonesia from March 5 to 7, 2017.
The theme of the summit was ‘Strengthening Maritime Cooperation for a Peaceful, Stable and Prosperous Indian Ocean’. It was attended by leaders from 21 member states of IORA. From India, Vice President Hamid Ansari attended the two-day summit.

Key Highlights of IORA 2017

It drew attention on issues of regional interest such as maritime security, disaster relief and humanitarian assistance, fisheries management, people-to-people exchanges, trade and investment and tourism.
21 member states issued a strategic vision document known as the Jakarta Concord. It sets out a vision strengthening the regional architecture to face its challenges.
It also issued Joint Declaration of the IORA business Community to build partnership for a sustainable and equitable economic growth.
It also adopted IORA Action Plan, a document containing the implementation actions of the Jakarta Concord to strengthen the implementation of priority areas and cross-sectorial commitments.
The Declaration on Preventing and Countering Terrorism and Violent Extremism was also adopted, stating importance of countering terrorism.
The member nations stressed on the need to work together in order to eliminate the growth and spread of terrorism and violent extremism.

About Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA)

IORA is an international organisation consisting of coastal states bordering the Indian Ocean, established in 1997 to promote cooperation in the IOR.
It is a regional forum, tripartite in nature, bringing together representatives of Government, Academia and Business for promoting co-operation and closer interaction among them.
It is based on the principles of Open Regionalism for strengthening Economic Cooperation particularly on Trade Facilitation and Investment, Promotion as well as Social Development of the region.
IORA comprises 21 member states (including India) and 7 dialogue partners. Besides, Indian Ocean Research Group and the Indian Ocean Tourism Organisation have observer status.