Indian Ocean now key strategic hub: Foreign Adviser

Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain on Wednesday said the Indian Ocean is not only a ‘crucial conduit’ for international trade but also a space of increasing strategic importance.

Speaking at the 24th meeting of the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) Council of Ministers (COM) virtually, he emphasised the importance of rethinking the intra-IORA trade and investment dynamics and adopt an approach that would help open up the untapped potential.

The Adviser said a strategic review of trade facilitation mechanisms, connectivity projects and investment frameworks is imperative.

The theme of the meeting was ‘Sustainable Indian Ocean for Future Generations’.

The Foreign Adviser of Bangladesh delivered his remarks as the past chair of IORA.

He mentioned that under Bangladesh’s Chairship (2021-2023), the organisation witnessed several accomplishments, including expanding institutional cooperation, increasing in the Dialogue Partners’ number, laying out of IORA’s Indo-Pacific Strategy and strengthening institutional capacity of the IORA Secretariat.

Touhid Hossain reiterated that Bangladesh, as part of the IORA TROIKA, will remain vigilant in promoting IORA’s strategic vision for a peaceful, prosperous and resilient Indian Ocean region.

The Foreign Adviser called upon the delegates to initiate appropriate actions to combat the challenges such as maritime piracy, armed robbery, human trafficking, illegal arms trafficking, Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) fishing etc.

It is only proper that IORA assumes a central role in combating those challenges, in a manner which is participatory, inclusive and open in nature, Touhid Hossain added.

The Foreign Adviser urged the Council to prioritize conservation and the sustainable and responsible use of ocean and coastal resources to ensure a healthy planet and prosperous future for generations to come.

Bangladesh, with the support from the IORA Secretariat has led a consultative process involving Member States and IORA’s partners to develop the ‘draft IORA’s Climate Change Strategic Agenda’.

The Foreign Adviser urged the IORA Council of Ministers to adopt the draft ‘IORA’s Climate Change Strategic Agenda’, to enable the Member States to take coordinated action to enhance climate resilience, reduce vulnerability and mobilise sustainable finance and technology.

The Indian Ocean Rim Association is an inter-governmental organisation which aims to promote sustainable growth and balanced development of the Member States.

The 24th Council of Ministers adopted The Colombo Communiqué, IORA Principle Guidelines on Combating Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU), and IORA’s Climate Change Strategic Agenda, which was initiated and finalized under the proactive leadership of Bangladesh, reports UNB.