TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Leaders of Indian Ocean countries started the 2017 Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) Leader’s Summit on Sunday, March 5, 2017. Desra Percaya, director general for Asia Pacific and Africa at the Foreign Ministry opened the first agenda of the day on the adoption of the agenda and program of work.

“I’m grateful that we can celebrate our long journey and efforts to reinforce this organization,” Desra spoke before delegations of IORA country members at the Jakarta Convention Center on Sunday, March 5, 2017.

Desra explained that the 20th anniversary of the organization was a milestone for IORA, country members and dialogue partners.

“This also reflects better potentials of IORA,” Desra added.

Desra said that strong cooperation ties among country members would bring them closer. The IORA reinforcement is aimed at bridging the country members, instead of creating a wall between them.

As many as 21 country members and seven dialog partners attended the IORA summit. The 2017 IORA Summit is held at the Jakarta Convention Center starting from today to March 7. The summit is themed “Strengthening Maritime Cooperation for Peaceful, Stable, and Prosperous Indian Ocean”.

The meeting will discuss a number of important topics, including those around maritime safety and security, trade and investment, fishery management, disaster risk management and cooperation in the academic field.

In addition, the country members will be engaged in cooperation in science, tourism and culture sectors.

DIKO OKTARA