# Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA)

> The Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) is an intergovernmental organisation of Indian Ocean rim states, established in 1997, that promotes regional cooperation, sustainable development and balanced growth across the Indian Ocean region. Its Secretariat is based in Mauritius. This website covers IORA's structure, member states and partners, priority areas of cooperation, official documents and outcomes, and its events and news.

IORA works through six priority areas (Maritime Safety and Security; Trade and Investment Facilitation; Fisheries Management; Disaster Risk Management; Academic, Science and Technology Cooperation; Tourism and Cultural Exchanges) and two cross-cutting issues (the Blue Economy and Women's Economic Empowerment). Its main decision-making bodies are the Council of Ministers (COM) and the Committee of Senior Officials (CSO). IORA Day is marked each year on 7 March.

## About IORA

- [Home](https://iora.int/): Overview of IORA, latest news and upcoming events
- [About IORA](https://iora.int/indian-ocean-rim-association): Background, mission and objectives of the Indian Ocean Rim Association
- [Milestones and Achievements](https://iora.int/iora-milestones-and-achievements): Key moments in IORA's history since its founding
- [Institutional Mechanisms](https://iora.int/institutional-mechanisms): How IORA is governed, including the Council of Ministers, Committee of Senior Officials, working groups and academic and business forums
- [Organisational Chart](https://iora.int/iora-organizational-chart): Structure of the IORA Secretariat
- [IORA Charter (PDF)](https://iora.int/sites/default/files/2025-12/IORA%20Charter.pdf): The founding charter setting out IORA's principles, objectives and membership rules
- [IORA Vision 2030 and Beyond (PDF)](https://iora.int/sites/default/files/2024-10/IORA%20Vision%202030%20and%20Beyond.pdf): IORA's long-term strategic vision
- [Rules of Procedure (PDF)](https://iora.int/sites/default/files/2024-03/rules-of-procedure-iora.pdf): Procedural rules governing IORA meetings and decision-making
- [IORA at a Glance (PDF)](https://iora.int/sites/default/files/2024-03/iora-at-a-glance.pdf): Short introductory overview of the association

## Membership and Partnerships

- [Member States](https://iora.int/member-states): The countries that make up IORA's membership
- [Dialogue Partners](https://iora.int/dialogue-partners): Countries and blocs that engage with IORA as dialogue partners
- [Indian Ocean Dialogue (IOD)](https://iora.int/indian-ocean-dialogue-iod): IORA's Track 1.5 dialogue on strategic issues facing the Indian Ocean region
- [Specialised Agencies](https://iora.int/iora-specialised-agencies): Agencies working under the IORA framework
- [Observer Organisations](https://iora.int/iora-observer-organization-0): Organisations holding observer status with IORA
- [Observer International Organisations](https://iora.int/iora-observer-international-organizations): International bodies with observer status
- [Centres of Excellence](https://iora.int/iora-centre-excellence): Institutions designated as IORA centres of excellence
- [Memoranda of Understanding](https://iora.int/memorandum-understanding): Cooperation agreements signed between IORA and partner organisations

## Secretariat

- [Secretary-General](https://iora.int/secretary-general): Profile of the IORA Secretary-General
- [Directors](https://iora.int/iora-directors): Directors of the IORA Secretariat
- [Directorates](https://iora.int/directorates): Directorates and their areas of responsibility
- [Experts](https://iora.int/iora-experts-0): Experts working with the Secretariat
- [Secretarial Staff](https://iora.int/iora-secretarial-staff): Secretariat staff
- [Employment Opportunities](https://iora.int/employment-opportunities): Current vacancies at the IORA Secretariat
- [Nelson Mandela Internship Programme](https://iora.int/nelson-mandela-internship-programme): IORA's internship programme for young professionals from member states
- [IORA Special Fund](https://iora.int/iora-special-fund): How IORA funds projects and how member states can apply

## Priority Areas and Cross-Cutting Issues

- [Priority Areas and Cross-Cutting Issues](https://iora.int/priority-areascross-cutting-issues): Overview of IORA's six priority areas and two cross-cutting issues
- [Maritime Safety and Security (PDF)](https://iora.int/sites/default/files/2026-04/Maritime%20Safety%20and%20Security%20text.pdf): Priority area summary
- [Trade and Investment Facilitation (PDF)](https://iora.int/sites/default/files/2026-04/Trade%20%26%20Investment%20Facilitation.pdf): Priority area summary
- [Fisheries Management (PDF)](https://iora.int/sites/default/files/2026-04/Fisheries%20Management.pdf): Priority area summary
- [Disaster Risk Management (PDF)](https://iora.int/sites/default/files/2026-04/Disaster%20Risk%20Management%20%28DRM%29.pdf): Priority area summary
- [Academic, Science and Technology Cooperation (PDF)](https://iora.int/sites/default/files/2026-04/Academic%2C%20Science%20%26%20Technology%20Cooperation%20%28ASTC%29.pdf): Priority area summary
- [Tourism and Cultural Exchanges (PDF)](https://iora.int/sites/default/files/2026-04/Tourism%20%26%20Cultural%20Exchanges%20%28TCE%29.pdf): Priority area summary
- [Blue Economy (PDF)](https://iora.int/sites/default/files/2026-04/Blue%20Economy.pdf): Cross-cutting issue summary
- [Women's Economic Empowerment (PDF)](https://iora.int/sites/default/files/2026-04/Women%27s%20Economic%20Empowerment.pdf): Cross-cutting issue summary
- [Guidelines for Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (PDF)](https://iora.int/sites/default/files/2026-03/Guidelines%20for%20Humanitarian%20Assistance%20and%20Disaster%20Relief%20%28HADR%29.pdf): IORA guidelines on HADR cooperation
- [Principle Guidelines on Combating IUU Fishing (PDF)](https://iora.int/sites/default/files/2026-03/IORA%20Principle%20Guidelines%20on%20Combating%20IUU%20Fishing.pdf): IORA guidelines on illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing
- [Strategic Framework on Marine Debris (PDF)](https://iora.int/sites/default/files/2024-12/IORA%20Strategic%20Framework%20on%20Marine%20Debris.pdf): Regional framework for action on marine debris

## Official Documents and Outcomes

- [IORA Documents](https://iora.int/iora-documents): Library of IORA declarations, communiqués, reports and publications
- [IORA Annual Report 2025 (PDF)](https://iora.int/sites/default/files/2026-05/IORA%20Annual%20Report%202025.pdf): Activities and achievements in 2025
- [IORA Annual Report 2024 (PDF)](https://iora.int/sites/default/files/2026-03/IORA%20Annual%20Report%202024.pdf): Activities and achievements in 2024
- [Delhi Consensus 2026 (PDF)](https://iora.int/sites/default/files/2026-09/Delhi%20Consensus%202026.pdf): Outcome document of the 2026 Indian Ocean Dialogue
- [List of IORA Chairs (PDF)](https://iora.int/sites/default/files/2026-08/List%20of%20IORA%20Chair%20002.pdf): Member states that have chaired IORA
- [Colombo Communiqué 2023 (PDF)](https://iora.int/sites/default/files/2024-08/Colombo%20Communique%202023.pdf): Outcome of the 2023 Council of Ministers meeting
- [Indo-Pacific Outlook (PDF)](https://iora.int/sites/default/files/2024-03/indo-pacific-outlook.pdf): IORA's outlook on the Indo-Pacific

## News, Events and Publications

- [Press Releases](https://iora.int/press-releases): Official IORA press releases
- [Upcoming Events](https://iora.int/events): Forthcoming IORA meetings, workshops and webinars
- [Past Events](https://iora.int/past-events): Archive of past IORA events
- [Gallery](https://iora.int/iora-gallery): Photos from IORA meetings and events
- [IORA e-Newsletter July to September 2026 (PDF)](https://iora.int/sites/default/files/2026-10/IORA%20e-newsletter%20July%20-%20Sept%202026.pdf): Latest quarterly newsletter
- [IORA e-Newsletter April to June 2026 (PDF)](https://iora.int/sites/default/files/2026-07/Final%20IORA%20enewsletter%20April%20-%20June%202026.pdf): Previous quarterly newsletter
- [29th CSO and 25th COM Meetings, New Delhi, November 2026](https://iora.int/29th-cso-and-25th-com-meetings-take-place-new-delhi-november-2026): Upcoming senior officials and ministerial meetings
- [IORA Sub-Committee on Finance Meeting, 30 September 2026](https://iora.int/iora-sub-committee-finance-meeting-30-september-2026): Finance sub-committee meeting
- [India Hosted the 28th Committee of Senior Officials Meeting](https://iora.int/india-hosted-28th-iora-committee-senior-officials-meeting): Report on the 28th CSO meeting
- [10th Edition of the Indian Ocean Dialogue](https://iora.int/10th-edition-indian-ocean-dialogue-iod): Report on the 10th IOD
- [6th Meeting of the Working Group on Maritime Safety and Security](https://iora.int/6th-meeting-iora-working-group-maritime-safety-and-security-hosted-australia): Working group meeting hosted by Australia
- [Fourth Meeting of the Working Group on Disaster Risk Management](https://iora.int/fourth-meeting-iora-working-group-disaster-risk-management-wgdrm): Working group meeting report
- [Secure Seas Dialogues Webinar Series](https://iora.int/secure-seas-dialogues-webinar-series-governing-and-financing-sustainable-maritime-security): Webinars on governing and financing maritime security
- [Capacity Building Programme on Digital Governance, Cybersecurity and AI](https://iora.int/singapore-hosted-capacity-building-programme-digital-governance-cybersecurity-and-ai-iora-member): Programme hosted by Singapore for member states
- [Capacity Building Programme on Port Operations and Aids to Navigation](https://iora.int/capacity-building-programme-port-operations-and-aids-navigation-aton-development-iora-member-states): Training programme for member states
- [Fifth IORA Nelson Mandela "Be the Legacy" Internship Programme](https://iora.int/fifth-iteration-iora-nelson-mandela-be-legacy-internship-programme): Latest internship cohort

## Optional

- [Privacy Policy](https://iora.int/privacy-policy): How the website handles personal data
- [Jakarta Concord 2017 (PDF)](https://iora.int/sites/default/files/2024-03/jakarta-concord-7-march-2017.pdf): Outcome of the 2017 IORA Leaders' Summit
- [Jakarta Declaration on Blue Economy (PDF)](https://iora.int/sites/default/files/2024-04/jakarta-declaration-on-blue-economy-final.pdf): Declaration on Blue Economy cooperation
- [Mauritius Declaration on Blue Economy (PDF)](https://iora.int/sites/default/files/2024-04/iora-mauritius-declaration-on-blue-economy.pdf): Declaration on Blue Economy cooperation
- [Dhaka Communiqué 2022 (PDF)](https://iora.int/sites/default/files/2025-07/2022_Dhaka%20Communique%202022_24%20Nov%20%28BD%29.pdf): Outcome of the 2022 Council of Ministers meeting
- [Emirates Communiqué 2020 (PDF)](https://iora.int/sites/default/files/2025-07/2020_Emirates%20Communique_17%20Dec%20%28UAE%29.pdf): Outcome of the 2020 Council of Ministers meeting
- [Abu Dhabi Communiqué 2019 (PDF)](https://iora.int/sites/default/files/2024-08/191106_final-abu-dhabi-communique-7-nov-2019-min-1.pdf): Outcome of the 2019 Council of Ministers meeting
- [eThekwini Communiqué 2018 (PDF)](https://iora.int/sites/default/files/2025-07/2018_eThekwini%20Communique_2%20Nov%202018%20%28South%20Africa%29.pdf): Outcome of the 2018 Council of Ministers meeting
- [IORA Silver Jubilee Magazine (PDF)](https://iora.int/sites/default/files/2024-08/IORA%20Silver%20Jubilee%20Magazine.pdf): Publication marking IORA's 25th anniversary