IOA-AC summit 2013

IOA-AC summit 2013
The council of Ministers of the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IOR-AC) was held in Perth (Australia) on November 1, 2013. The meeting expressed the strategic role which the countries of Indian Ocean have to undertake in the coming future. At this meeting Australia took over as chair of association from India and Indonesia became the vice chair. The old name was replaced as Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) charting out new development in cooperation.
Role of Indian Ocean at strategic level
It covers 20 percent of water and appropriately has a population of 2.6 billion. The container traffic which it carries is 50 percent of total. Again it carries the following features

1. It has 39 percent of world population

2. It handles 30 percent of world trade

3. Around 66 percentage of seaborne trade is done that way

4. 55 percentage of oil reserve

5. 40 percentage of gas reserve

6. Tuna fisheries in Indian ocean produce one third of the worlds tuna
These features correctly articulate the remarkable diversity of Indian Ocean
IORA: Significance and Impact
Consisting 20 members it reflects the diversity of Indian Ocean region. From small countries like Comoros it gets its reach to G 20 countries like Australia and India. However it expresses the common bond among these regions. Surely it will make a genuine contribution towards a peaceful and sustainable development of the region.
Priority Areas
At Banglore in 2011, the association was defined six priority areas: they are:

1. Maritime security

2. Trade and investment

3. Fisheries management

4. Disaster preparedness

5. Academic cooperation

6. Tourism exchange
Recent meeting set out broad based agendas based on these priority areas.
Common challenges
The countries share common challenges in almost same area. Keeping the shipping lines open, tackling disasters, promoting education and tourism, utilizing the increasing population are the main concern of almost all countries. Another common challenge is related with piracy
Piracy
World Bank estimates that the piracy costs the global economy around 18 billion us dollar. So the member countries realize the crucial role of taking counter piracy efforts. Natural disaster like 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami is the other major concern.
Womens Empowerment
It will do their best possible way to assure the best level of education for their women population. They defined the empowerment of girls as a high priority area.
Perth Principles
With 20 member countries there is six dialogue partners in IORA. They all support the principles for Peaceful, productive and sustainable use of the Ocean and its resources. The principles recognize the importance contribution of member countries in eradicating poverty, creating livelihood for deprived, sustain food security and maintaining economic growth.
by Shahid T Komath