UAE hosts Indian Ocean Rim Association’s 22nd meeting

The organisation is a group of 22 countries that border the Indian Ocean

Abdul Nasser Al Shaali, assistant minister for economic and trade affairs at the UAE’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, presided the meeting. Courtesy: IORA

The UAE hosted the 22nd meeting of the Committee of Senior Officials of the Indian Ocean Rim Association member states.

The IORA is an international organisation of 22 states that border the Indian Ocean.

Wednesday's virtual meeting was presided over by Abdul Nasser Al Shaali, assistant minister for economic and trade affairs at the UAE’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation.

The committee's meeting preceded the 20th IORA Council of Ministers' meeting, held virtually on Thursday.

The COM meeting addressed important topics within the UAE's plan during its time chairing the association.

The UAE took up the role in November 2019. It adopted the theme of "Promoting a Shared Destiny and Path to Prosperity in the Indian Ocean" for its chairship from 2019-21.

IORA was established in 1997 to promote regional co-operation, prosperity, and growth in the Indian Ocean region through joint action such as maritime security and safety, the facilitation of trade and investment, fisheries management, disaster risk management and tourism and cultural exchange, among other areas.