Assuming Chairmanship of the Council of Ministers of the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA), Sri Lanka pledged to lead with dedication and a strong commitment to IORA’s principles and objectives, at the 23rd Meeting of the IORA Council of Ministers in Colombo yesterday.
Foreign Minister Ali Sabry PC, as the new chair of the Council said, “As the incoming Chair of IORA, Sri Lanka is resolute in its commitment to IORA’s priorities, working collaboratively with our fellow member states to ensure a more prosperous, secure, and interconnected future for the Indian Ocean Rim. Through these collective efforts, we aim to reinforce the identity of the Indian Ocean region and strengthen our position as a beacon of cooperation and sustainability.”
“We have before us a quintessentially unique opportunity to create a prosperous and a safe Indian Ocean that leaves no one behind,” Sri Lanka’s Foreign Minister said.
Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) as well as other senior Ministers of IORA Member States and Dialogue Partners are attending the 23rd IORA Council of Ministers Meeting in Colombo.
The Meeting was attended by 16 Ministers including the Foreign Ministers of Bangladesh, India, Iran, Mauritius, Malaysia and South Africa as well as Ministerial and senior level participation from Australia, Comoros, France, Indonesia, Kenya, Madagascar, Maldives, Mozambique, Oman, Seychelles, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Somalia, Tanzania, Thailand, United Arab Emirates and Yemen (member countries) and from China, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Germany, Italy, Japan, Republic of Korea, Russian Federation, Türkiye, United Kingdom and United States of America (dialogue partners).
The Council of Ministers is the highest decision making body of IORA.
The 25th meeting of the Committee of IORA Senior Officials (October 9 and 10) was chaired by Foreign Secretary Aruni Wijewardane.
The Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA), established in 1997, is an intergovernmental organization of States on the rim of the Indian Ocean. Its membership spans Africa, West Asia, South Asia, South East Asia and the Oceania. Today, IORA’s membership has expanded to 23 Member States and 11 Dialogue Partners.
Sri Lanka will head the IORA for the period 2023 to 2025 from the 23rd Council of Ministers’ Meeting.
The Ministers deliberated on ways to cooperate on the six priority areas identified by the Association, including Trade and Investment, Maritime Safety and Security, Fisheries Management, Disaster Risk Management and Blue Economy, among others. They will be guided by recommendations to be made by the 25th Committee of IORA Senior Officials.
Following is the full text of Minister Sabry’s opening address at 23rd Meeting of the IORA Council of Ministers:
“Ministers, State Ministers, Heads of Delegations, Secretary General of IORA, distinguished invitees, friends, ladies and gentlemen
“It is my distinct pleasure and honour to welcome you all to the opening session of the 23rd Meeting of the IORA Council of Ministers here in Colombo, overlooking the majestic Indian Ocean, the lifeblood that binds our organization together and the one which has washed the shores by which our distinctive identities have been defined.
“The return of several high-level delegations to Sri Lanka after a few turbulent years is an encouraging sight. The modest progress and recovery we have made over the past 12 to 18 months would not have been possible without the unwavering support and cooperation of our friends in the region and beyond, as well as the resilience of our people.
“It is in this spirit and with this enthusiasm that Sri Lanka hosts this Session.
“I would like to express our deepest appreciation and commendation for the exceptional leadership and remarkable work done by Bangladesh during their tenure as the Chair of IORA. Bangladesh held this position during one of the most challenging periods amidst the COVID-19 pandemic and ensuing restrictions.
“Historically, Sri Lanka has played an important role in international affairs. We were a part of the Bandung Conference which paved the way for the establishment of the Non-Aligned movement, which we went on to lead in 1976. Thus, our foreign policy has centered on peace, stability, diversity, and inclusivity both in the region, and beyond.
“In 1971, Sri Lanka made an indelible mark on the world stage by being instrumental in the passage of a historic resolution at the United Nations to declare the Indian Ocean region and its airspace as a Zone of Peace. This resolution sought to transform the vast expanse of the Indian Ocean into a symbol of cooperation, understanding, and tranquility, transcending political boundaries and ideologies. Today, we look back on this noble endeavour with immense pride, as it reflects our nation’s enduring commitment to promoting peace, unity and stability. We have an unwavering faith in multilateralism and diplomacy as a means for the international community to work towards resolving a variety of recurrent challenges.
“It is in this historic context that Sri Lanka took pride in joining our organization, the Indian Ocean Rim Association, as a founding member in 1997 with a view to promote regional cooperation and sustainable development by bringing together coastal nations bordering the Indian Ocean.
“Since then, our organization has developed from strength to strength, and we now have 23 member states and 11 dialogue partners with diverse interests and characteristics.
“As stated in our association’s charter, IORA’s primary objectives are to promote peace, stability, and sustainable development in the Indian Ocean region. We have a unique opportunity through IORA to address diversified challenges and opportunities in the spectacular Indian Ocean that we overlook.
“In light of this, as the host nation we relish the opportunity to lead our organization to facilitate discussions and deliberations on pressing regional and global issues.
“As we convene today, it is crucial that we recognize the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead. Our region confronts a variety of complex issues. These challenges require our collective efforts and a strong commitment to discovering innovative and inclusive solutions that are specific to our region, the Indian Ocean, and our heritage. Under the theme of ‘Strengthening Regional Architecture: Reinforcing Indian Ocean Identity’, our organisation will discuss these challenges in an open and transparent manner during our deliberations.
“We believe that by working together, we can enhance cooperation in the areas of investment promotion, maritime safety and security, trade and investment facilitation, fisheries management, disaster risk management, tourism and cultural exchanges, academic, science and technology cooperation, blue economy and women’s economic empowerment thereby assuring the sustainable development and well-being of the people in our region and those beyond. In all our endeavours, we must not undervalue the importance of inclusiveness and of engaging with a diverse group of stakeholders, including the private sector, civil society, academic institutions, youth, and students. Their expertise, creativity, and resources are invaluable assets that can significantly contribute towards our collective success.
“As outlined in IORA’s Outlook on the Indo-Pacific, since its inception our organization has sought to build and expand understanding and mutually beneficial cooperation through a consensus-based, evolutionary and non-intrusive approach. If we work with commitment in furtherance of these values, our organization could be a conduit to enhance maritime safety and security in the Indo-Pacific region and in the exercise of freedom of navigation and over-flight, in accordance with international law, including the Charter of the United Nations and the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, thereby positively contributing to the maintenance of peace and stability and greater prosperity for all.
“As Sri Lanka assumes the Chairmanship of our organization, we pledge to lead with dedication and a strong commitment to IORA’s principles and objectives. As the incoming Chair of IORA, Sri Lanka is resolute in its commitment to these priorities, working collaboratively with our fellow member states to ensure a more prosperous, secure, and interconnected future for the Indian Ocean Rim. Through these collective efforts, we aim to reinforce the identity of the Indian Ocean region and strengthen our position as a beacon of cooperation and sustainability.
“In conclusion, our success and the success of our future generations rest upon the decisions we make today. If we make the right choices, future generations will remember us as the generation that fought for their rights. We have before us a quintessentially unique opportunity to create a prosperous and a safe Indian Ocean that leaves no one behind.”
