The United Arab Emirates (UAE), as the current IORA Chair, will host the 20th IORA Council of Ministers’ (COM) Meeting and its related Meetings from 15 – 17 December 2020, virtually. The COM will be preceded by the 22nd IORA Committee of Senior Officials (CSO) on 15-16 December 2020. The CSO meets twice a year to review progress made by the Association and to make recommendations for endorsement and approval by the COM. The forthcoming CSO Meeting will receive updates on some of the major projects being implemented under the IORA Action Plan (2017-2021).
The UAE assumed the position of the IORA Chair in November 2019 during the 19th COM, and adopted the theme of “Promoting a Shared Destiny and Path to Prosperity in the Indian Ocean” for its Chairship from 2019 – 2021.
The UAE, as a maritime nation, recognises the enduring importance of the ancient trade routes connecting the Middle East to South and Southeast Asia, and coastal East Africa which heralded the dawn of globalisation in the Indian Ocean region. The Indian Ocean continues to bind IORA Member States through not only trade exchanges, but also shared ideas and a vision for prosperity.
This year, despite significant challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic and travel restrictions, the IORA Chair will be welcoming Foreign Ministers, Senior Officials and Delegates virtually. The upcoming meetings will provide IORA Member States, Dialogue Partners and the Specialised Agencies with an excellent opportunity to discuss ways to coordinate effort in which they can move forward together in achieving their vision for a peaceful, stable and prosperous Indian Ocean region as outlined in the Jakarta Concord and IORA Action Plan.
The meetings' schedule is as follows:
For more information about the #IORA COM and CSO, click here.
Follow the conversation #IORA @IORAofficial