Shein advocates stronger ties among IORA states
Agreements among the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) members can cement commitment and provide solutions to critical challenges facing the region.
Addressing the first IORA Summit in Jakarta yesterday, Zanzibar President Ali Mohamed Shein said illicit drug trafficking, extremism, marine safety and security, terrorism and climate change were the serious challenges necessitating strong partnership to keep the region safe, with strong economy.
Dr Shein affirmed Tanzania’s endorsement of Summit’s theme, ‘Strengthening Maritime Cooperation for a Peaceful, Stable and Prosperous Indian Ocean,’ reiterating the country’s support on the adoption of the signed concord.
Dr Shein who is representing President John Magufuli at the gathering, which is also commemorating the 20th anniversary of the association, said Tanzania was committed to IORA, describing the 20th anniversary celebrations as a turning point for economic transformations.
He said the signed accord provides for a better direction towards a balanced economic growth as a core objective of the IORA region.
“I perceive this Summit as the beginning of the great cooperation between IORA family, which will spearhead the region’s development and advance objectives of the association,” said Dr Shein.
IORA region is home to two billion people, with a total GDP of almost nine trillion US dollars, implying that if the region effectively uses the platform, “We will strengthen trade among ourselves, promote international trade and investment for the economic growth in the region.”
Dr Shein said the 20 years of IORA existence have given the member states the needed experience and confidence to confront the future with optimism and pride.The association is strong after a groundbreaking IORA Blue Economy Conference in 2015.
“It is about time now we work on how best we can harness the blue economy as a vehicle for social, economic transformation and development,” Dr Shein said as he commended Indonesia’s efforts in spearheading the proposed intensification of the economic and strategic cooperation among member states.
He invited all IORA members to the workshop on “Development of a Regional Strategy to Address Sustainable Management and Development of Fisheries Resources in the Indian Ocean Rim Region” scheduled for Zanzibar, next September.
IORA was established amongst other objectives to bring together countries along the Indian Ocean Rim. Members have during the period increased from 14 to 21, with seven dialogue partners.