emirates7 - The United Arab Emirates took part in the 24th Council of Ministers Meeting and the 27th Committee of Senior Officials Meeting of the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA), both held virtually from May 20th to 21st.

The UAE delegation was led by Saeed Mubarak Al Hajeri, Assistant Minister for Economic and Trade Affairs at the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Chaired by Sri Lanka and themed "A Sustainable Indian Ocean for Future Generations," the meetings saw the UAE emphasize its dedication to achieving sustainability goals and tackling global challenges such as climate change.

Al Hajeri stressed the UAE’s commitment to active engagement in multilateral organizations and its support for IORA’s initiatives to sustainably utilize the Indian Ocean’s resources for the comprehensive development of present and future generations.

The UAE became a member of IORA in 1999 and served as its chair from 2019 to 2021. Founded in 1997, IORA aims to foster regional cooperation, prosperity, and growth in the Indian Ocean region through collaborative efforts in areas including maritime security, trade and investment, fisheries management, disaster risk reduction, tourism and cultural exchange, scientific and technological cooperation, women’s economic empowerment, and the blue economy.