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Milestones

2020
  • IORA’s Experts’ Meeting to Enhance Intra-Regional Trade and Investment: 30 - 31 January 2020


  • Training on International Arbitration for Legal Practitioners and Business Operators: 10 - 14 February 2020

     


  • IORA Indian Ocean Blue Carbon Hub Inaugural Think Tank: Blue Carbon Finance: 25 - 26 February 2020

     


  • Virtual Meeting of the Committee of Senior Officials (CSO) and Dialogue Partner Engagement on COVID-19: Responses, Cooperation, and Partnerships: 21 May 2020

     


  • The 1st Virtual Meeting of the IORA Cluster Group on Fisheries Management (CGFM): 23 June 2020

     


  • Tenth Bi-annual Meeting of the Committee of Senior Officials (CSO): 29 June - 01 July 2020

     


  • IORA Second Expert Group Meeting on Academic, Science and Technology Cooperation: 28 August 2020

     


  • Welcoming the Republic of #India as the 14th Signatory of the #IORA Memorandum of Understanding for the Coordination and Cooperation of Search and Rescue (SAR) Services in the Indian Ocean Region: 24 September 2020


  • The UAE has signed #IORA’s MOU for the Promotion of Small and Medium Enterprises! With HE Ahmad Falasi’s signature, as Minister of State for Entrepreneurship and #SMEs. #UAE becomes the 14th Member State to sign the MOU, recognising SMEs role within the Indian Ocean region. 


  • Virtual Workshop to review the progress of the IORA Action Plan (2017-2021) and to guide the way forward along with Member States to chart a new Action Plan (2022-2026): 21 October 2020


  • Italy-IORA Webinar on Sustainable Cruise Tourism brings together Tourism Experts in the region to discuss the impact of #COVID19 on the global cruise industry-  #IORA exploring new collaborations and different avenues to restart tourism in the region: 21 October 2020

2019
  • Meeting of IORA Cluster Group on Disaster Risk Management held in New Delhi India from 5 – 6 February


  • Second IORA Familiarization Visit for Media Practitioners and Journalists from IORA Member States held in South Africa from 7 – 12 April


  • 1st IORA Strategic Planning Workshop and the 2nd Workshop on the Institutional Strengthening of the IORA Secretariat held in Mauritius from 9 – 12 April


  • IORA Training on Sustainable Development for Ports and Shipping in the Indian Ocean for Maritime Connectivity held in Malaysia from 22 – 26 April


  • Modernising Trade in the Indian Ocean Rim Conference held in Durban, South Africa from 17 – 18 June


  • Ninth Bi-annual Meeting of the Committee of Senior Officials (CSO) held in Durban, South Africa from 19 – 20 June


  • Troika Visit to the IORA Secretariat in Mauritius from 5 – 6 August


  • First Meeting of the IORA Maritime Safety and Security Working Group held in Colombo, Sri Lanka from 8 – 9 August


  • The 3rd IORA Blue Economy Ministerial Conference (BEC-III) on “Promoting Sustainable Blue Economy- making the best use of opportunities from the Indian Ocean” held in Dhaka, Bangladesh from 4 – 5 September


  • The 3rd IORA Blue Economy Ministerial Conference (BEC-III) on “Promoting Sustainable Blue Economy- making the best use of opportunities from the Indian Ocean” held in Dhaka, Bangladesh from 4 – 5 September


  • Launch of the online Journal of Indian Ocean Rim Studies (JIORS) October 2019 Vol. 2, Issue 1.


  • Harmonization of Fisheries and Aquaculture Information System in the IORA Member States held in Muscat, Oman from 29 -30 October


  • 19th IORA Council of Ministers Meeting held on 7 November 2019 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.


  • The Republic of South Africa handing over to the United Arab Emirates as the new Chair of IORA from 2019 – 2021.


  • The United Arab Emirates Chairship Theme and Logo ‘’Shared Destiny and Path to Prosperity’’.


  • IORA Workshop on Biomedical-engineering and other Innovative Technologies with relevance to Post-Disaster Situations held in Aachen, Germany from 18 – 21 November


  • First Meeting of the IORA Working Group on the Blue Economy held in Mauritius from 5 – 6 December.


  • Signing of the Memorandum of Understanding between Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusummenarbeit (GIZ) and IORA.


  • Launch of the JIORS Vol. 2 Issue 2 (Oct-Dec 2019) Special Issue on Indo-Pacific


  • Report released: A Blue Economy for Women’s Economic Empowerment

2018
  • Launch of the online Journal of Indian Ocean Rim Studies (JIORS) Volume 1, Issue 2 - spearheaded by the Chair in Indian Ocean Studies.


  • 2nd IORA Renewable Energy Experts Meeting, October 2018 - Delhi NCR, India


  • 2nd IORA Renewable Energy Ministerial Meeting, October 2018 - Delhi NCR, India.


  • The combined inaugural for the 2nd IORA Renewable Energy Ministerial and Experts Meetings were also graced by the presence of the Hon’ble Prime Minister of India, Mr. Narendra Modi and the United Nations Secretary General, Mr. António Guterres, 2 October 2018 - New Delhi, India


  • Signature of the IORA and ISA Memorandum of Understanding on Renewable Energy by H.E Dr. Dr Nomvuyo Nokwe, Secretary General of IORA and H.E. Mr. Upendra Tripathy, Director General of the International Solar Alliance during the 2nd IORA Renewable Energy Ministerial Meeting and First General Assembly of ISA, October 2018 - Delhi NCR, India.


  • Initial Workshop on the establishment of the IORA Maritime Safety and Security Working Group, September 2018 - Colombo, Sri Lanka.


  • IORA Ministerial Conference on “Women’s Economic Empowerment - A Pre-requisite for Sustainable Development" - August, Mauritius.


  • Eighth Bi-Annual Committee of Senior Officials (CSO) Meeting July 2018- Durban, South Africa


  • IORA Indian Ocean Conference on Blue Carbon, March 2018 - Indian Ocean Marine Research Centre, Western Australia.


  • Welcoming H.E. Ambassador Dr Nomvuyo N. Nokwe as the successor of H.E. K.V Bhagirath, IORA Secretary General


  • Strategic Planning for Ports for IORA Member States, February 2018 - Singapore. 


  • Research Priorities for the Indian Ocean Region. Signing of the Memorandum of Understanding between IORA and Research and Information System for Developing Countries (RIS)

2017
  • Launch of the online Journal of Indian Ocean Rim Studies (JIORS) spearheaded by the Chair in Indian Ocean Studies


  • Three strategic documents were issued during the celebrations at the Leaders’ Summit:

    • The Jakarta Concord, the Indian Ocean Rim Association: Promoting Regional Cooperation for a Peaceful, Stable and Prosperous Indian Ocean
    • The IORA Action Plan for 2017-2021
    • The Declaration on Preventing and Countering Terrorism and Violent Extremism

  • Inaugural IORA Leaders' Summit was held in Jakarta, Indonesia to commemorate the 20th Anniversary of IORA.

2016
  • Visits by Head of State to the secretariat by the President of Madagascar, H.E. Mr Hery Rajaonarimampianina


  • Visit to the secretariat by the president of Mauritius, H.E. Mrs Ameenah Gurib-Fakim


  • First workshop was held with a dialogue partner in Qingdao, China on The Blue Economy


  • Symposium on “Learning from the past and charting the future” was held in Yogyakarta, Indonesia


  • Ministerial Declaration on Gender Equality and Women’s Economic Empowerment was issued in Bali, Indonesia

2015
  • First IORA Ministerial Blue Economy Conference (BEC-I) was held in Mauritius and issued the Mauritius Declaration on the Blue Economy


  • A  Ministerial Maritime Cooperation Declaration was issued by the Council of Ministers, Padang, Indonesia


  • Germany joined as a dialogue partner


  • Flagship publication of the Journal of the Indian Ocean region (or JIOR), which is affiliated with the Indian Ocean Rim Academic Group (IORAG) was published to increase scholarship around the rim


  • First IORA Blue Economy Core Group Workshop met in Durban, South Africa


  • Mahé Consensus on Gender Equality and Women’s Economic Empowerment was issued in Mahé, Seychelles to improve the lives of women


  • IORA increased its regional and multilateral engagement and was granted Observer Status at the United Nations General Assembly and also accredited to the African Union

2014
  • Sectorial meetings at ministerial level are held on:

    • Renewable energy: first meeting of the renewable energy ministerial forum in Abu Dhabi, UAE which produced the Abu Dhabi Declaration

     


  • Sectorial meetings at ministerial level are held on:

    • Tourism: First IORA Tourism Ministerial meeting in Seychelles in Beau Vallon, Seychelles resulting in the Seychelles Declaration

  • Resigned IORA charter by Member states as a symbol of renewed commitment for Indian Ocean regionalism in Perth, Australia 

     


  • Member states signed the memorandum of understanding (MoU) on Search and Rescue Cooperation to Enable Cooperation in Search and Rescue Activities across the Indian Ocean in Perth, Australia


  • Blue Economy identified as a special focus area by ministers in Perth, Australia as an important driver for balanced economic and sustainable development


  • Economic Declaration adopted by ministers in Perth, Australia to identify shared principles for sustainable and inclusive economic growth


  • IORA Sustainable Development Programme (ISDP) was launched to support least developed countries actively participate and host in IORA activities


  • Somalia joined the association


  • First Indian Ocean Dialogue held in Kochi, India as a 1.5 track forum to discuss challenges and opportunities; subsequent dialogues held in Perth, Padang and Abu Dhabi

2013
  • IOR-ARC was renamed IORA, The Indian Ocean Rim Association


  • First Ministerial Meeting was held on Trade and Investment (The Economic and Business Conference or EBC-I) in Mauritius and issued a joint communique to strengthen trade relations


  • First Ministerial Declaration issued on ‘Principles For Peaceful Productive And Sustainable Use Of The Indian Ocean And Its Resources’ in Perth, Australia


  • First Ministerial Retreat held in the sidelines of The COM Meeting, Perth, Australia to explore and reflect on key issues


  • Women’s Economic Empowerment was identified as a cross-cutting area by foreign ministers

     

2012
  • Inauguration of the New IOR-ARC secretariat premises in Ebene, Mauritius by H.E Dr Arvind Boolell, Foreign Minister of Mauritius


  • India contributes USD$1 Million to The Special Fund, along with other Member States and Dialogue Partners including Australia, Iran, Indonesia, Oman, UAE, Yemen and China


  • The Union of Comoros joined as Member State and The United States Of America as a Dialogue Partner

2011
  • Revitalization of IOR-ARC by adoption of six new priority areas in The Council Of Ministers, Bengaluru, India


  • Seychelles re-joined the association

2010
  • IOR-ARC charter revised at the 10TH Meeting of The Council Of Ministers, Sana’a, Yemen to revitalise the association


  • Indian Ocean Research Group (IORG) became an Observer

2008
  • Establishment of The Regional Centre for Science and Technology (RCSTT) in Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran to support Applied Research, Development And Management

2006
  • Establishment of the IOR-ARC Special Fund as a mechanism to implement activities and studies in Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran


  • First meeting of The Working Group of Heads of Mission in Pretoria, South Africa was held to progress IORA’s agenda between Ministerial Meetings

2004
  • The First IOR-ARC Specialised Agency – The Fisheries Support Unit (FSU) – was created to enhance sustainable fisheries practices based in Muscat, Sultanate of Oman

2003
  • Council of Ministers (COM) decided to meet annually instead of bi-annually

2001
  • Constitution of The First High-Level Task Force (HLTF) examines IOR-ARC’s future directions held in Colombo, Sri Lanka


  • France joined as Dialogue Partner

2000
  • A new instrument of acceptance was adopted to enable new members to join the association


  • Signature of Headquarters Agreement between IOR-ARC and the government of Mauritius in Port Louis. Legalised the diplomatic status of IOR-ARC secretariat and its personnel


  • United Kingdom and The People’s Republic of China joined as Dialogue Partners

1999
  • Reflecting The Association’s growing ambitions, the PCM was renamed a Coordinating Secretariat


  • Meeting of legal experts held in Maputo, Mozambique finalised institutional documents


  • Bangladesh, Iran, Seychelles, Thailand and United Arab Emirates joined the association along with Dialogue Partners, Egypt and Japan

1998
  • A Pilot Coordination Mechanism (PCM) was created to coordinate regional cooperation, based in Vacoas, Mauritius. H.E. Mr Kailash Ruhee (Mauritius) appointed as The First Director

1997
  • First Ministerial Meeting and launch of IOR-ARC held in Grand Bay, Mauritius, attended by fourteen Member States. Foreign Ministers Meetings are held every two years


  • The Association consisted of 14 countries: Australia, India, Indonesia, Kenya, Madagascar, Malaysia, Mauritius, Mozambique, Oman, Singapore, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Tanzania and Yemen

1996
  • Cornerstone charter created as a basis for cooperation

1995
  • President H.E. Mr Nelson Mandela proposes Concept For Regional Cooperation


  • First International Meeting of experts held in Grand Bay, Mauritius to discuss The Indian Ocean Rim Initiative