"The meeting themed "Strengthening Maritime Cooperation for Peaceful, Stable and Prosperous Indian Ocean" marks the 20th anniversary of IORA since it was officially established in 1997," Malaysian Foreign Minister Dato Sri Anifah Aman said in a press statement released on Sunday.
Prime Minister Dato Sri Mohd Najib Tun Abdul Razak will be accompanied by his wife Datin Sri Rosmah Mansor, Foreign Minister Dato Sri Anifah Aman and senior officials of the Malaysian Prime Ministers Office and the Foreign Ministry.
"The (IORA) leaders are expected to discuss and review the progress and achievement of two decades of the partnership, and discuss regional cooperation in the next decade. Prime Minister Najib Razak is scheduled to deliver the Malaysian statement to the general debate of the conference," he said.
He said the leaders are also expected to adopt the IORA Concord as the outcome document of the IONA conference.
The IORA Concord reaffirms the member states commitment to the goals of IORA, covering promoting maritime safety and security in the region, increasing trade and investment cooperation, promoting sustainable and responsible fishery management, and developing tourism and cultural exchange.
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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