The Fishery and Marine Science Institute (Institut Halieutique et des Sciences Marines - IH.SM) of the Republic of Madagascar, in collaboration with the IORA Secretariat, hosted the Training workshop on “Research for sustainable management of Blue Carbon Ecosystems in the Indian Ocean” from 27 November - 2 December 2022 in Toliara, Madagascar.

The IORA Secretariat with the technical assistance of COFREPECHE hosted a training workshop in Zanzibar, United Republic of Tanzania, to demonstrate the seeding of sea cucumber and seaweed tubular farming method and transfer this knowledge and techniques to the participants. The training workshop addressed issues such as hatchery and grow-out, biosecurity and fish health best management practices for successful and sustainable aquaculture. The training was part of an AFD (French Development Agency) technical assistance to the IORA Secretariat. 

To facilitate regional, interdisciplinary discussions across various Blue Economy sectors and identify concrete deliverables and partnerships to meet innovative development pathways, the Ministry of Blue Economy and Fisheries of Zanzibar, Tanzania, in collaboration with the IORA Secretariat, hosted the 9th Indian Ocean Dialogue on 22-23 May 2023 in Zanzibar.

The 3rd Meeting of IORA Core Group on Fisheries Management (CGFM) was hosted by Indonesia, in Jakarta, on 12 September 2023. The Meeting aimed at identifying and discussing the implementation of the CGFM Work Plan, as well as, to update on the progress of fisheries management related activities/programs under WGBE and FSU Workplan. 

Participants from 15 IORA Member States attended the 1st Workshop on the Development of the IORA Guideline to Prevent, Deter and Eliminate IUU Fishing, which is part of a series of workshops conducted in collaboration between Indonesia and France. The workshop series aim at developing the Guideline, which will contribute to the sustainable management of marine fisheries resources in the Indian Ocean Region. 

Waste Segregation and Plastic Recycling is an important component of the IORA Strategic Framework of Action to Combat Marine Debris in the Indian Ocean. To address this issue, Singapore will host the Capacity building programme on Waste Segregation and Plastic Recycling for IORA Member States” on 18-22 March 2024 in Singapore.

The programme aims to cover the following topics: 

The IORA Blue Carbon Hub in collaboration with the Indonesian Ministry of Maritime and Investment Affairs hosted the IORA Blue Carbon Hub Think Tank Meeting on Nature-based Solutions for Coastal Adaptation, on 12-14 September 2023, in Bali, Indonesia. The meeting was attended by 17 Member States and focused on the current challenges and impediments with harnessing coastal ecosystems (with particular focus on blue carbon ecosystems) as nature-based solutions for adaptation options. 

The Republic of South Africa, Chair of the Working Group on the Blue Economy (WGBE) hosted the Third Meeting of the IORA WGBE, Online, on 21 August 2023. During the Third WGBE Meeting, Member States provided updates on the status of their commitments for the implementation of the activities of the WGBE Work Plan. The meeting also enabled the Member States to discuss on the new WGBE Work Plan 2024-2026 and explore the way forward to encourage Member States, Dialogue Partners and relevant stakeholders to take the lead for the implementation of activities of the Work Plan. 

The IORA Fisheries Support Unit, the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries Wealth & Water Resources of the Sultanate of Oman, in collaboration with IORA Secretariat hosted the Regional Workshop on Aquatic Animal Health in IORA region, in Muscat, Oman, on 22-26 October 2023.