Sri Lanka is going to hold chairmanship of Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA)

Sri Lanka is going to hold chairmanship of Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA)

Subject :IR

Section: INTERNATIONAL GROUPING

Context: Sri Lanka is going to take over the chairmanship of the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) during the 23rd Council of Ministers’ Meeting

More about the news:

• The Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) Council of Ministers‘ meeting is scheduled to take place in Colombo on October 11, 2023.
• Foreign Ministers from several countries, including India, Bangladesh, Mauritius, Iran, Malaysia, and South Africa, will participate.
•  Sri Lanka, preparing to become the Chair of the regional grouping, will host the event.
• The Council of Ministers meeting will feature the participation of 16 ministers, along with ministerial and senior-level representatives from member countries and dialogue partners.
• Sri Lanka’s Foreign Minister Ali Sabry will chair the Council, succeeding Bangladesh’s Foreign Minister.
• This meeting coincides with potential Chinese research vessel visits to Sri Lanka, raising concerns from India and the US.
• Additionally, India and Sri Lanka plan to launch a long-awaited ferry service to enhance connectivity.

What is  Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA)

• The Indian Ocean Rim Association is an inter-governmental organisation aimed at strengthening regional cooperation and sustainable development within the Indian Ocean region.
• It was formed in 1997 by an initiative of India and South Africa.
• The IORA has 23 members and 11 dialogue partners.
• The members include Australia, Bangladesh, Comoros, India, Indonesia, Iran, Kenya, Madagascar, Malaysia, Mauritius, Mozambique, Oman, Seychelles, Singapore, Somalia, South-Africa, SriLanka, Tanzania, Thailand, United Arab Emirates, Maldives and Yemen.
• The eleven dialogue partners are China, Egypt, Germany, Italy, Japan, Russia, Turkey, the Republic of Korea, ,saudi Arabia ,the United Kingdom and the United States of America
• France was the last country to be accepted on the basis of its territory of Reunion Island in the Indian Ocean.
• The Coordinating Secretariat of IORA is located at Ebene, Mauritius.