"This time of summit meeting also constituted a milestone of renewal of commitments of IORA member countries," Jokowi said.
Jakarta (ANTARA News) - President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) said member countries of the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) have agreed to renew commitment during the three-day IORA summit meeting ending here on Tuesday.

Jokowi made the statement in a joint press statement with South African President Jacob Zuma, and Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull at the Jakarta Convention Center (JCC) after the end of the summit meeting.

"This time of summit meeting also constituted a milestone of renewal of commitments of IORA member countries," Jokowi said.

The renewal of commitments is to intensify cooperation among the IORA member countries, he added.

The commitments include mutual awareness of challenges faced by countries in the Indian Ocean rim that cooperation in various sectors has to be intensified, he said.

"Currently all leaders of IORA member countries are aware of the potentials they have. IORA leaders also are aware of the importance of maintaining security and peace in the Indian Ocean," he said.

The summit meeting has also ended with a Jakarta Concord, which contains strengthening of commitments to promoting maritime security and safety, trade and investment cooperation, and sustainable fishery management.

The Jakarta Concord also contains program to strengthen disaster risk management , academic and scientific cooperation and promotion of tourism and cultural cooperation.

"The IORA leaders also want to strengthen cooperation in development of blue economy, women empowerment and good governance democracy, eradication of corruption , and protection of human rights," the president said.

The 21 IORA member countries are South Africa, Australia, Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, Iran, Kenya, Comoro Islands, Madagascar, Malaysia, Mauritius, Oman, Seychelles, Singapore, Somalia, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, Thailand, United Arab Emirates and Yaman.

IORA has six dialog partners including the United States, China, Britain, Japan, Egypt and France.(*)

Editor: Heru Purwanto
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