Australia believes that “injecting dynamism” in the Indian Ocean Rim Association, of which Bangladesh is also a member, is essential for “peaceful use” of the resources of the ocean for stability, peace and security in the region.
Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop MP, who took over as the chairperson of the association on Friday, said this at the 13th Meeting of the Council of Ministers of the regional body in Perth.
The meeting adopted a communiqué with provisions, including changing the name of the organisation to Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) from Indian Ocean Rim Association for Regional Cooperation. Delegations of the 20 member states and six dialogue partners attended the meeting.
Injecting dynamism in the IORA was essential, said Julie Bishop, adding that the association had delivered only relatively modest outcomes although it had huge potentials.
“Our future lies, individually and collectively, in the Indian Ocean that unites us,” she said.
“Peaceful, productive and sustainable use of the magnificent Indian Ocean resources is essential” for protecting interests of the two billion people and stability and security in the region, she added.
Outgoing chairman of the association Indian External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid stressed the need to focus on economic synergies among the member states.
Foreign Secretary Md Shahidul Haque, who led the three-member Bangladesh delegation, said effective, efficient, functional and non-discriminatory way forward was crucial, instead of keeping IORA activities limited to changing name.
He proposed expediting the process of preferential trade arrangement, investment and knowledge-based sharing of resources among member states.
Haque also proposed “carefully selecting” the “result-oriented” projects in IORA activities.
The heads of the delegations, according to the 26-point communiqué, stressed the need to work on maritime security and safety through information sharing and other activities in both civilian and non-civilian dimensions.
They agreed on trade facilitation and customs simplifications to promote economic integration in the region.
They expressed commitment for enhancing cooperation and taking “high quality projects” in six priority areas to deliver “sustained economic growth and broad-based and balanced development in this strategically vital region”.
They also agreed to strengthen security measures by member states in their ports in order to enhance safety of shipping across the Indian Ocean.
The IORA leaders agreed to draw the “best practice” models, developed in respective member states and other regions, to face disaster in the maritime domain, including tsunamis, through search, rescue and response to oil spill.
They strongly encouraged the private sector in IORA activities to enhance regional trade and investment, and commit to develop business-friendly initiatives in the region.
Bangladesh High Commissioner to Canberra Lt Gen (retd) Masud Uddin Chowdhury and foreign ministry Director General Tarik Ahsan were the other members of the Bangladesh delegation.
Australia, Bangladesh, Comoros, India, Indonesia, Seychelles, Iran, Kenya, Madagascar, Malaysia, Mauritius, Mozambique, Oman, Singapore, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, Thailand, UAE and Yemen are members of the IORA, while China, Egypt, Japan, France, UK and USA are dialogue partners.
