"The support and active participation of ministries/agencies are important in improving the visibility of IORA," the Director General for Asia Pacific and Africa at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Desra Percaya, stated in a press statement received by ANTARA here on Wednesday.
The statement was delivered at the opening session of the Stakeholder Consultation Meeting and Stocktaking Strategic Programs for IORA Action Plan in preparation for 16th IORA Ministerial Meeting.
The meeting discussed several important issues such as the development of Indonesias commitment in IORA, the development of IORA discussion on Concord, as well as the identification of a strategic program for the IORAs Action Plans.
IORA Concord is a document proposed by Indonesia to be adopted by IORA member countries as a code of ethics and good governance to face new challenges in the Indian Ocean region.
"This meeting is also a process of outreach considering IORA is an important regional forum of cooperation for Indonesia," Desra said .
Presidents Special Envoy for the Determination of the Maritime Borders between Indonesia and Malaysia and the Chairman of the Ad hoc Committee Meeting to IORA Concord, Ambassador Eddy Pratomo, hoped IORA Concord would be a legacy of Indonesias leadership as the Chairman of IORA.
Meanwhile, Co-Director of Intra-Asia Pacific and Africa at the Foreign Affairs Ministry, Benjamin Carnadi said programs proposed by ministries/agencies to IORA Action Plan can be a work program that has been planned in advance and should be helpful to the interests of the people in Indonesia and the Indian Ocean region.
For that, he said, the Ministry continues to engage relevant ministries/agencies to contribute to improving the visibility of IORA and success of the Indonesias chairmanship.
IORA is a cooperation forum in the Indian Ocean Rim that focuses on increasing economic cooperation and maritime.
IORA consists of South Africa, Australia, Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, Iran, Kenya, Madagascar, Malaysia, Mauritius, Mozambique, Oman, the United Arab Emirates, Seychelles, Singapore, Somalia, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, Thailand, United Arab Comoros and Yemen.(*)
Editor: Heru Purwanto
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