Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA)

• The Indian Ocean Rim Association(IORA) formerly known as the Indian Ocean Rim Initiative and the Indian Ocean Rim Association for Regional Cooperation (IOR-ARC).
• IORA is an international organisation consisting of 23 states bordering the Indian Ocean.
• The IORA is a regional forum, tripartite in nature, bringing together representatives of Government, Business and Academia, for promoting co-operation and closer interaction among them.
• It 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 Coordinating Secretariat of IORA is located at Ebene, Mauritius.

History

• The organisation was first established as Indian Ocean Rim Initiative in Mauritius on March 1995 and formally launched on 6–7 March 1997 by the conclusion of a multilateral treaty known as the Charter of the Indian Ocean Rim Association for Regional Co-operation.
• The idea is said to have taken root during a visit of former South African Foreign Minister, Pik Botha, to India in November 1993.
• It was cemented during the subsequent presidential visit of Nelson Mandela to India in January 1995.

Member States

1. Australia
2. Bangladesh
3. Comoros
4. India
5. Indonesia
6. Iran
7. Kenya
8. Madagascar
9. Malaysia
10. Maldives
11. Mauritius
12. Somalia
13. Mozambique
14. Oman
15. Seychelles
16. Singapore
17. South Africa
18. Sri Lanka
19. Tanzania
20. Thailand
21. United Arab Emirates
22. France
23. Yemen

Dialogue Partners

1. China
2. Egypt
3. France
4. Germany
5. Italy
6. Japan
7. United Kingdom
8. United States
9. Turkey
10. South Korea

The Indian Ocean Tourism Organisation and the Indian Ocean Research Group have observer status.