Sri Lanka assumes Chair of Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) at 23rd Council of Ministers in Colombo.

Sri Lanka assumed the chairmanship of the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) at the 23rd IORA Council of Ministers which concluded in Colombo on 11 October 2023. Foreign Minister Ali Sabry chaired the meeting. Sri Lanka is a founding member of IORA which was established in 1997, and previously served as its Chair from 2003 to 2004. The 23rd IORA Council of Ministers was inaugurated with a colourful opening ceremony that brought the Indian Ocean into the conference room via virtual reality.

The Council of Ministers is the highest decision-making body of IORA and the Ministers are guided by the Senior Officials who meet as a Committee of Senior Officials, prior to the Council of Ministers. Accordingly, the 23rd IORA Council of Ministers was preceded by the 25th Committee of Senior Officials held on 09-10 October 2023, chaired by Foreign Secretary Aruni Wijewardane, who reported on the deliberations and work carried out by the Senior Officials during their two day meeting to the Council of Ministers.

It is significant that the two IORA meetings in Colombo saw the participation of all 23 Member States and the 11 Dialogue Partners. This included the Foreign Ministers of Bangladesh, India, Mauritius, Malaysia and South Africa and the Minister for Blue Economy of Tanzania as well as Ministerial and senior level participation from Australia, Comoros, France, Indonesia, Iran, Kenya, Madagascar, Maldives, Mozambique, Oman, Seychelles, Singapore, Somalia, Thailand, United Arab Emirates and Yemen (member countries) and from China, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Germany, Italy, Japan, Republic of Korea, Russian Federation, Trkiye, United Kingdom and United States of America (dialogue partners).

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia which is the newest Dialogue Partner of the IORA attended the IORA meetings for the first time at the IORA meetings in Colombo.

Welcoming the Ministers and representatives of the Member States and Dialogue Partners who have gathered in Colombo, Foreign Minister Ali Sabry said their presence was testament to the spirit of collaboration and cooperation that defines the region, and that Sri Lanka appreciated their commitment to strengthen the ties that bind the Indian Ocean community. He said that in the great tradition of hospitality, Sri Lanka opens its doors and its heart to all of its guests.

Minister Sabry added that the progress and recovery Sri Lanka has made would not have been possible without the unwavering support and cooperation of its...