Directors and Experts

Gareth has been seconded from the South African Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) as a Director to the IORA Secretariat since 15 January 2019.  Prior to joining the Secretariat, he has held several positions in the South African Foreign Service.  He has served at DIRCO Headquarters in Pretoria dealing with South Africa’s relations with IORA (2015-2019), the European Union (2009-2011), and the United States (1992-1994 and 1999-2003).  He has also served abroad in DIRCO’s diplomatic missions in Windhoek, Namibia (2011-2015), Washington DC, USA (2003-2008), and Vienna, Austria (1994-1999).   

Gareth leads the Secretariat’s work on strengthening academic, science and technology cooperation, as well as on fostering tourism and cultural exchanges within IORA. 

Gareth has a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree in International Relations and Psychology from the University of the Witwatersrand (WITS). 

Saravanan Murugan has been seconded from the Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India as a Director to the IORA Secretariat since 15 December 2019. 

Saravanan leads the Secretariat’s work on strengthening Maritime Safety and Security, and Disaster Risk Management within IORA. 

Prior to joining the Secretariat, Saravanan has held several positions in the Government of India both at Secretariat and District level. He has served as a Director in Ministry of Commerce and Industry (2018-2019), Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions (2014-2018), Director of Primary Education (2013-2014), Director of Agriculture and Horticulture (2011-2013), District Magistrate and Collector of four districts in India (2002-2011). He has vast experience in programme delivery at district level and policy making at Secretariat level.

Saravanan has a Bachelor of Science (BSc Agriculture) degree and Master of Business Management degree.

Rajib has been seconded from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Government of Bangladesh as a Director at the IORA Secretariat in Mauritius since 07 June 2021. Rajib is the first IORA Director to be seconded by Bangladesh.

Rajib leads the Secretariat’s work on Institutional Arrangements and Broadening Engagement, along with the Public Diplomacy and Communication.  

Prior to his appointment at the IORA Secretariat, Rajib served in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Bangladesh since 2011. He worked at different Wings of the Ministry including the Public Diplomacy Wing, South East Asia Wing, West and Central Asia Wing and Maritime Affairs Unit in the capacities of Assistant Secretary and Senior Assistant Secretary.

Rajib served as First Secretary and Counsellor at the Bangladesh Embassy in Rome, Italy from April 2018 to May 2021. He looked after the issues of bilateral relations and consular affairs.

Rajib holds Bachelor of Social Sciences (Hons) and Master’s in Mass Communication and Journalism from the University of Dhaka. He also holds a Master of Public Policy in International Policy from the Australian National University, Canberra.

Amanda is seconded from the Commonwealth of Australia and has been posted as a Director at IORA Secretariat, Mauritius since 23 May 2022. Amanda is responsible for Trade and Investment and Women’s Economic Empowerment.

Amanda has a had a 15-year career in the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, undertaking postings to Jakarta (2015-19) and to Afghanistan (2010-12).  She has worked extensively in international development and humanitarian roles.  During her career Amanda has worked on diverse policy issues, multilateral negotiations, designing and implementing programs and in the field responding to humanitarian crisis.  Amanda has also worked as a financial and management accountant and in procurement policy.

Amanda has a Bachelor of Commerce and Bachelor of Economics from the Australian National University and a Graduate Certificate in Humanitarian Leadership from Deakin University.

Sagri Sharma has been seconded from the Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India as the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Advisor to the IORA Secretariat since 14 September 2020. Sagri is the first ICT Advisor to the IORA Secretariat.

Sagri leads the ICT activities at the Secretariat as part of the Corporate Services Directorate. She brings with her vast experience working in Information Technology and Management at the Centre for Development of Advanced Computing under the Ministry of Information and Technology, Government of India. At the Secretariat, she is responsible for ICT Strategy  & Policy Formulation, guidance and advice for implementation and coordination of a secure and sustainable ICT Framework.

Sagri holds a Bachelors of Engineering in Information Technology, Masters in Software Systems and Post Graduate Diploma in Business Administration in Operations Management.