IORA Meetings Being Held In Bali, Oct 22-27

Nusa Dua (Antara Bali)- A series of regional meetings of the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) are being held in Nusa Dua, Bali, from Oct 22 to 27, 2016, to discuss stability in Indian Ocean region.

Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno LP Marsudi is scheduled to chair the ministerial level meeting of IORA on Oct. 27. At least 11 ministers have confirmed their participation.

Being participated in by over 250 delegates from 21 countries, the meetings comprise the the 3rd Ad-hoc Committee Meeting on the IORA Concord on Oct. 22-23, the 16th Meeting of the Working Group on Trade and Investment on Oct. 24, and the 18th Meeting of the Committee of Senior Officials on Oct. 25-26.

On the sidelines of the meetings, Minister Retno Marsudi is scheduled to hold bilateral meetings with the IORA Secretary General and counterparts from several countries.

The 16th Ministerial Meeting of IORA is expected to produce a Bali Communique reiterating the commitment of Indian Ocean Rim countries to strengthen synergy and regional consultations for regional stability.

They will also discuss an IORA Concord expected to be approved in an IORA Summit in March 2017.

Indonesia is currently IORA chairman for the 2015-2017 period under a theme of "Strengthening Maritime Cooperation for a Peaceful, Stable, and Prosperous Indian Ocean."

The meetings are also attended by representatives from seven partner countries, namely the US, the UK, Japan, Germany, Egypt, France and China.

Member countries of IORA are South Africa, Australia, Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, Iran, Kenya, Madagascar, Malaysia, Mauritius, Mozambique, Oman, the United Arab Emirates, Seychelles, Singapore, Somalia, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, Thailand, Uni Comoros, and Yemen. (WDY)