23rd Council of Ministers Meeting of IORA concludes in Colombo

COLOMBO (News 1st) - The 23rd Council of Ministers' Meeting of the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) convened in Colombo on October 11, 2023, drawing high-level diplomats from across the region.

Foreign Ministers from various countries, including India's External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, arrived in Sri Lanka on October 10 to participate in this significant gathering.

What sets this year's IORA meetings apart is the participation of all 23 Member States and 11 Dialogue Partners, making it a noteworthy diplomatic event.

Foreign Minister Ali Sabry extended a warm welcome to the Ministers and representatives of Member States and Dialogue Partners, acknowledging their commitment to strengthening the bonds within the Indian Ocean community.

During the Council of Ministers, leaders engaged in discussions spanning six priority areas outlined by IORA, which encompassed Trade and Investment, Maritime Safety and Security, Fisheries Management, Disaster Risk Management, Women's Empowerment, and Blue Economy.

The IORA Council of Ministers serves as the highest decision-making body of the Association.

In a momentous transition, Sri Lanka assumed the Chairmanship of IORA for the period 2023 to 2025, a responsibility of great significance for the country, which is a founding member of IORA and previously held the chair from 2003 to 2004.

After the Council of Ministers, the 25th Committee of Senior Officials convened on October 9-10, 2023, laying the foundation for the decisions and discussions of the Council of Ministers.

A notable addition to this year's meetings was the participation of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia as a Dialogue Partner, expanding the reach of the organization.

As a part of the ongoing dialogue, Minister of External Affairs of India S. Jaishankar stressed the importance of cooperation in various aspects of the maritime economy, resources, connectivity, and security. He emphasized the need for collaboration and the exchange of experiences to address challenges like hidden agendas, unviable projects, and unsustainable debt, ultimately working towards viable solutions.

Minister Sabry expressed the intent to work collaboratively with partner countries and outlined Sri Lanka's aspiration to host an IORA Leaders' Summit in 2024. This proposal was previously discussed at the senior official level meeting and subsequently adopted by the Council of Ministers.

Foreign Minister Ali Sabry, along with other visiting Ministers, held discussions with President Ranil Wickremesinghe and engaged in bilateral meetings during their visit to Sri Lanka.

Sri Lanka's assumption of the IORA Chairmanship marks a significant milestone, affirming the nation's dedication to promoting regional cooperation and diplomacy in the Indian Ocean region.