TAG: GS-2 INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
THE CONTEXT: The second edition of the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) seminar on Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) Fishing was conducted at Naval War College, Goa.
EXPLANATION:
About Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA):
- It is Established in 1997, is a multilateral company comprising 23 member countries from Africa, West Asia, South Asia, Southeast Asia, and Australia.
- IORA was stimulated by a speech by Nelson Mandela in 1995, in which he emphasised the need for cooperation amongst Indian Ocean states.
- Comprises 23 member countries from Africa, West Asia, South Asia, Southeast Asia, and Australia, all placed around the Indian Ocean. These consist of countries like India, Australia, Indonesia, South Africa, Malaysia, UAE, and more.
- Aim: It makes a speciality of fostering cooperation inside the Indian Ocean area on problems like maritime safety, trade facilitation, fisheries control, catastrophe risk management, and climate change.
- Dialogue Partners: The IORA has eleven talk partners, including China, U.S., Japan, Germany, Russia, and Saudi Arabia.
- Troika Leadership: The IORA’s apex frame is the Council of Foreign Ministers, which meets yearly. The Chair rotates every 2 years among members. Currently, Sri Lanka is the Chair, India is the Vice-Chair, and Bangladesh became the preceding Chair.
What is the Significance of Indian Ocean Region Association:
- The Indian Ocean is of immense strategic importance, with 80% of global oil trade and 50% of containerized cargo passing through it.
- IORA provides a platform for India to engage with regional partners, avoiding geopolitical rivalries, particularly with China. IORA’s strategic focus includes keeping the Indian Ocean free and open for trade while emphasizing respect for sovereignty.
- India, currently the Vice-Chair of IORA, uses the organization to strengthen regional ties without the contention seen in other organizations like SAARC and BIMSTEC.
Some Projects of the Indian Ocean Region Association (IORA):
- Indian Ocean Tsunami Warning and Mitigation System (IOTWMS): Works with member states to monitor and respond to natural disasters like tsunamis.
- IORA Blue Economy Initiatives: Promote sustainable use of ocean resources, focusing on industries like fisheries, maritime trade, tourism, and renewable energy.
- IORA Working Group on Maritime Safety and Security: Aims to enhance maritime cooperation, ensure safe and secure sea lanes, combat piracy, and address maritime challenges across the Indian Ocean.
- Counter Piracy and Armed Robbery against Ships (ReCAAP-ISC): A collaboration to strengthen regional capacities and share intelligence to prevent piracy and armed robberies in the Indian Ocean.
Source:
https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2059304
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