As part of the dynamic Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA)-Germany Partnership project, H.E. Mr Salman Al Farisi, IORA Secretary General, and Dr Thomas Krimmel, Project Director for the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ), launched the commissioning of a comprehensive academic research study on the relationship between the COVID-19 pandemic and climate change in the Indian Ocean Region, including prospects for a “Green” Recovery with a focus on the maritime and coastal space.
The core objective of the Research Project, and the partnership between IORA and Germany, is to strengthen IORA in the area of Blue Economy, in particular with a focus on the nexus between climate change and security.
To undertake the study, IORA and GIZ invite applications for such a research study from a consortium of at least three universities from IORA Member States, in cooperation with a university from a Dialogue Partner country. For conducting this research, a lumpsum amount of one hundred thirty thousand Euros (€ 130,000) is being offered through GIZ and will be awarded to the winning consortium on a competitive basis. Applications are due by 30 April 2022, with the research envisaged to take place from June to December 2022.
The announcement was made by Secretary General Al Farisi at IORA’s 25th anniversary celebrations in Mauritius where IORA is headquartered, and he “encouraged everyone to visit the Secretariat’s website and monitor our social media for the details of this exciting and historic joint initiative with Germany, one of our most active Dialogue Partners”.
Further details can be found on the Secretariat’s website here and at https://www.iora.int/en.