The Tenth IORA Bi-Annual Meeting of the Committee of Senior Officials successfully concluded today
The Tenth IORA Bi-Annual Meeting of the Committee of Senior Officials successfully concluded today. The meeting convened under the Chairmanship of the United Arab Emirates and held under the theme “Promoting a Shared Destiny and Path to Prosperity in the Indian Ocean”, agreed on a number of positive recommendations which will be presented to IORA’s Council of Ministers for approval.
Day One of the meeting started with a half day meeting of the Sub-Committee on Finance (SCF), which discussed the financial situation of IORA. The coordinating countries of IORA’s various Working Groups also delivered updates on their respective action plans and activities. In this regard, the Maldives announced that it would be joining IORA’s Core Group on Tourism as a Cluster Country. The Maldives looks forward to working within IORA to harness the full potential of tourism in the Indian Ocean Region.
The Committee of Senior Officials congratulated the Maldives on signing the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Governments of the Member States of the Indian Ocean Rim Association for the Promotion of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs). The MoU was signed by H.E. Ms. Neeza Imad, Minister of State for Economic Development, on 15 March 2020. The MoU would promote greater cooperation amongst SMEs within IORA and facilitate more opportunities for trade and investment. Maldives also announced that it is in the process of signing the Memorandum of Understanding between the Governments of the Member States of the Indian Ocean Rim Association for the Coordination and Cooperation of Search and Rescue Services in the Indian Ocean Region.
In addition, the Meeting also discussed the utilisation of IORA’s Special Fund to support Member State projects related to the COVID-19 pandemic and other disaster events. The Maldives proposal for more favourable access for Small Island Developing States (SIDS) in accessing the Special Fund was accepted by the Committee of Senior Officials, which will be put forward for endorsement by the Council of Foreign Ministers. As COVID-19 has exacerbated the vulnerabilities of SIDS during the pandemic, the amendment will facilitate for greater inclusivity and will assist SIDS in the recovery phase of the pandemic.
The Maldives delegation was led by H.E. Dr. Asim Ahmed, Ambassador-at-large in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Ambassador Asim was accompanied by Ms. Fathimath Najwa, Joint Secretary, and Mr. Ahmed Salman Zaki, Assistant Director.
IORA is a leading organisation in the Indian Ocean Region, providing a forum for Member States and Dialogue Partners to enhance socio-economic cooperation and development within the region. IORA has 22 Member States and 10 Dialogue Partners. The Maldives formally joined IORA on 8 November 2019.
ENDS