IORA Summit Tightens Diplomacy between Nations in the Indian Ocean

JAKARTA, IORA - Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) summit aims to strengthen diplomacy between the countries in the Indian Ocean. "Indian Ocean is very strategic and IORA is the only organization which gathers countries bordering the Indian Ocean, so it becomes our priority target," said the Foreign Ministry's Director General for Asia-Pacific and African affairs, Desra Percaya in Jakarta, Thursday (3/2). Desra said IORA is a long-established organization, but in the past it has been at the ministerial level. Indonesia is the first country to host the first high level summit for IORA. He hoped that this head of state meeting can bring positive impact on conduciveness of countries bordering the Indian Ocean. The strong ties between IORA member states resulting from the summit is expected to be able to avoid the tensions which occur in the South China Sea. "We do not want the Indian Ocean becomes arena for conflict similar to what happened in South China Sea," said Desra. In terms of economy, since Indian Ocean is a region that is traversed by tanker ships, economic cooperation established with IORA member states can bring positive impacts for people’s welfare. This year’s summit will be held under the theme "Strengthening Maritime Cooperation for a Peaceful, Stable, and Prosperous Indian Ocean", and will be held from Sunday (3/5) to Wednesday (3/7), he added. The main event of IORA Summit will take place on Monday (3/6) where President Joko Widodo is scheduled to open the opening ceremony, followed by 21 other heads of state and seven dialogue partners. The event will be continued by Business Summit which will be opened by President Joko Widodo and led by the heads of each participating country. (Tri Antoro / Juliyah/ Translator: SC)