With reference to ‘Indian Ocean Rim Association for Regional Cooperation (IORARC)’, consider the following statements:
- It was established very recently in response to incidents of piracy and accidents of oil spills.
- It is an alliance meant for maritime security only.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- 1 only
- 2 only
- Both 1 and 2
- Neither 1 nor 2
Explanation
Both statements are incorrect
- The Indian Ocean Rim Association was established in 1997 as an intergovernmental organisation of States on the rim of the Indian Ocean.
- Its apex body is the Council of Foreign Ministers, which meets annually.
- The secretariat is in Ebène Mauritius and is overseen by a secretary-general appointed for three years.
- A committee of Senior Officials (CSO) meets twice a year to progress IORA’s agenda and consider recommendations by Working Groups and forums of officials, business and academics to implement policies and projects to improve people’s lives within the Indian Ocean Member States.
- Troika: TROIKA is an institutional mechanism consisting of the current Chair, Vice-Chair, which is the future chair, and past Chair of the IORA.
- The Association’s membership has expanded to 23 member states and 11 dialogue partners.
- The IORA has six critical areas of focus:
- Maritime security
- Trade and investment facilitation
- Fisheries management
- Disaster risk reduction
- Academic and scientific cooperation
- Tourism promotion and cultural exchanges
- IORA has identified Blue Economy and Women’s Economic Empowerment as two areas of interest.
- The member countries are from various regions:
- Asia: India, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Iran, Malaysia, Maldives, Oman, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Thailand, United Arab Emirates and Yemen
- Africa: Kenya, Madagascar, Mozambique, Somalia, South Africa, Tanzania, Comoros, Mauritius, Seychelles
- Oceania: Australia
- Europe: France
