To Embody a Peaceful, Stable, and Prosperous Indian Ocean through IORA Summit

JAKARTA, IORA – Director General of Asia Pasific and Africa of Ministry of Foreign Affairs Desra Percaya said that through Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) Summit, the region around Indian Ocean is expected to be peaceful, stable, and prosperous. “We want a peaceful, stable, and prosperous Indian Ocean. This region should not be a conflict arena just like what happened in South China Sea. This is the vision that we fight for and hopefully other member countries will agree with us,” says Desra in Jakarta, on Thursday (2/3). According to Desra, the IORA Summit that to be held on 5-7 March 2017 in Jakarta is part of the Government’s nawacita (nine key programs). IORA is an international organisation consisting of countries bordering the Indian Ocean. Indonesia, as the Chairman of IORA for 2015-2017 period, hopes the Summit can generate a decision so all countries bordering the Indian Ocean shall obey international law of the sea. “Learning from the uproar over the South China Sea dispute, these countries do not really pay attention to proper attitudes. Therefore, under the Chairmanship of Indonesia, we want to ensure that the rules of the engagement or the rules of the game are the 1982 international law of the sea. This issue will be brought to IORA concord,” says Desra. The Summit is also expected to produce declarations on counter terrorism and a number of priority issues, such as maritime security, culture, women empowerment, and cooperation enhancement for the next four years. Besides Leaders Summit, there will be also a Business Summit on 6 March 2017 that will be attended by around 250 business people from IORA member countries to discuss trade cooperation. “The Business Summit to be attended by around 250 business people. This Summit will produce declarations on trade sector, in particular Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs),” Desra further said. IORA consists of 21 countries, among others, South Africa, Australia, Bangladesh, Comoros, India, Indonesia, Iran, Kenya, Madagascar, Malaysia, Mauritania, Mozambique, Oman, United Arab Emirates, Seychelles, Singapore, Somalia, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, Thailand, and Yemen. IORA also has seven dialogue partners, such as the United States of America, the United Kingdom, Japan, Germany, Egypt, France, and People’s Republic of China (PRC). A number of Heads of State and Government are scheduled to attend the Summit. President Joko Widodo will attend and open the Summit. In addition, other leaders who have confirmed their attendance are the President of South Africa Jacob Zuma, the President of Sri Lanka Maithripala Sirisena and a number of foreign ministers of IORA member countries.