The IORA Secretariat had the honour to welcome H.E. Ambassador Masud Bin Momen, Foreign Secretary (Senior Secretary), Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh on 14 February 2022.
The IORA Secretariat welcomed H.E. Ambassador Masud Bin Momen, Foreign Secretary (Senior Secretary), Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Chair of the IORA Committee of Senior Officials (CSO) and Rear Admiral Md. Khurshed Alam (retd.), Secretary, Maritime Affairs Unit of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to the IORA Secretariat. The IORA Chair is currently visiting the Secretariat in Mauritius, charting the way forward with the IORA Secretary-General, H.E. Ambassador Salman Al Farisi for 2022.
Bangladesh is the current IORA Chair (2021 – 2023) and adopted the theme of “Harnessing the Opportunities of the Indian Ocean Sustainably for inclusive development” for its Chairship.
During his visit, Ambassador Momen stressed the importance of the Indian Ocean as a ‘’home of opportunities’’ and IORA’s role as the key to build and strengthen peace, development, and stability with its diverse Members. He pointed out on the 25th anniversary of IORA which coincided with their chairship and the assumption of the new IORA Secretary-General, H.E. Ambassador Salman Al Farisi. He further touched upon many topics including the strategic importance of the Association within the Indian Ocean region, and Bangladesh’s role as the Chair to increase IORA’s relevance to strengthen the implementation of actionable and practical projects for the region. In addition, Ambassador Momen highlighted the IORA-Dhaka Development Initiative which is currently underway focussed on promoting regional integration, economic and sustainable development initiatives in the region.
Ambassador Momen also appreciated recent efforts towards the strengthening of the IORA Secretariat and offered further support in this endeavour.
In addition, on 15 February, two signing ceremonies were held at the IORA Secretariat, the Annual Operation Plan for 2022 between Rear Admiral (Retd.) Md. Khurshed Alam, Secretary, Maritime Affairs Unit, Ministry of Foreign Affairs & IORA CSO Chair and the IORA Secretary General, H.E. Mr Salman Al Farisi, and the second Financial Contribution Agreement by the Secretary General, H.E. Mr Salman Al Farisi, and Dr. Thomas Krimmel, Project Director for the German Development Agency (GIZ), aimed at further improving the service delivery capacity of the IORA Secretariat in Mauritius.
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