First-ever IORA leaders’ summit formally kicked off

MNA Editorial Desk: The first-ever Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) Leaders’ Summit formally kicked off here Tuesday morning under the theme ‘Strengthening Maritime Cooperation for a Peaceful, Stable, and Prosperous Indian Ocean’.

Indonesian President Joko Widodo, who is also the current chairman of IORA, formally opened the summit at Jakarta Convention Center in the presence of heads of state and government of 21 coastal states bordering the Indian Ocean.

Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina joined the opening ceremony of the summit. On Monday, Hasina arrived at the Indonesian capital on a three-day visit.

Representatives of seven dialogue partners of IORA as well as a good number of invited guests attended the inaugural function.  Local artistes performed the traditional dance beating Gendang Papua, a small traditional drum of Indonesia.

IORA member states are Australia, Bangladesh, Comoros, India, Indonesia, Iran, Kenya, Madagascar, Malaysia, Mauritius, Mozambique, Oman, Seychelles, Singapore, Somalia, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, Thailand, the UAE and Yemen.

Dialogue partners are China, Egypt, France, Germany, Japan, UK and US.