"IORA expands the focus to counter terrorism to show its response to the current challenges faced by the member states and the global community," chairman of the Indonesian delegation Desra Percaya said.
Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Several leaders who are expected to attend the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) Summit will focus on efforts to counter and avert terrorism at regional and global levels.

Chairman of the Indonesian Delegation to the IORA Senior Officials Meeting, Desra Percaya, said here on Sunday, threats on terrorism and extremism become one of the challenges for the IORA member states.

According to Percaya, some ministers who will gather on Monday (Mar 6) are expected to discuss documents that particularly focus on measures to counter and avert terrorism.

Besides, all delegations of the 21 IORA member states will finalize the IORA Action Plan for four years ahead.

"IORA expands the focus to counter terrorism to show its response to the current challenges faced by the member states and the global community," Percaya said.

Percaya added terrorism is an organized transnational crime and is a common challenge to all the members.

Percaya said all the IORA members should anticipate possible terrorist acts by implementing further cooperation.

Meanwhile, the Secretary General of IORA, KV Bhagirat, said several countries could improve their economic conditions when terrorist threats can be solved.

For the first time ever, the IORA Summit will be held in Jakarta on March 7. It was preceded by a senior officials meeting on March 5, and a ministerial meeting on March 6.

The organization is based on the principles of open regionalism for strengthening economic cooperation, particularly on trade facilitation and investment, promotion, as well as social development of the region.

The IORA member states are Australia, Bangladesh, Comoros, India, Indonesia, Iran, Kenya, Madagascar, Malaysia, Mauritius, Somalia, Mozambique, Oman, Seychelles, Singapore, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, Thailand, United Arab Emirates, and Yemen.(*)

Editor: Heru Purwanto
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