Dhaka, 18 November 2021 (TDI): Iranian Foreign Minister, Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, stated his gratitude at the Council of Ministers of the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA).
Member States vary considerably in terms of their areas, populations, and levels of economic development. Therefore, they may also be divided into a number of sub-regions. These regions include Australasia, Southeast Asia, South Asia, West Asia, and Eastern & Southern Africa. Each with its own regional groupings (such as ASEAN, SAARC, GCC, and SADC, to name a few). Despite such diversity and differences, these countries are bound together by the Indian Ocean.
Amir-Abdollahian expressed the evolution of IORA’s work in more than two decades. The organization increased active work and cooperation within its framework. Furthermore, it revealed its huge capacities for economic cooperation among the Member States. Therefore, he added:
“The prospect for cooperation in IORA is as wide and promising as the Indian Ocean’s huge blessings and endowment for the coastal states, the Islamic Republic of Iran is aware of this enormous potential for regional cooperation and is determined to expand and deepen relations with this Association”.
Iran’s Role in the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA)
The Iranian official highlighted that Iran has reinforced the national coordination mechanism with the entity. The country participates in eight IORA priorities and clusters for cooperation. Moreover, Iran’s Vice-President For Women and Family Affairs has volunteered to be the coordinator of the area of “Women’s Economic Empowerment”. As well, Iran hosts the Regional Centre for Science and Technology Transfer of the organization.
The representative told the attendees about the Covid-19 challenges and their devastating consequences. Iran has been struggling with the Coronavirus at a time with financial sanctions. Amir-Abdollahian also stated that “The lifting of sanctions and restoration of Iran’s rights will not only render positive economic and humanitarian impacts but will undoubtedly lead to a stronger and more effective presence of the Islamic Republic of Iran in regional arrangements, including IORA”.
Arantza Renteria is a Peruvian third-year student of International Relations with a specialization in cooperation and development.
Her work experience mostly covers Middle Eastern affairs. Her area of expertise is the Levant. Among these countries, Lebanon, Iraq, and Palestine.
She has worked in intercultural governmental and non-governmental work environments, including the Embassy of Palestine in Lima.
Currently, she leads the Middle East and Gulf Research Desk at The Diplomatic Insight.
