IORA Cross-cutting Issues
The Blue Economy initiative within the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) has emerged as a pivotal force, driving sustainable socio-economic growth among its member nations. Introduced in 2014, it strives to foster balanced development while safeguarding marine resources.
Through collaborative efforts, member states have embarked on a journey to harness the vast potential of the blue economy. Since its introduction in IORA in 2014, Member States are committed to make this sector a driver for a balanced socio-economic growth and sustainable development.
The objectives of the working group, which serves as a platform for collaboration and networking, range from implementing action plans to fostering dialogue and information exchange.
The IORA Blue Economy team drives sustainable oceanic growth and resource management. Embracing public-private partnerships and technology transfer, it paves the way for enhanced livelihoods through capacity building. By promoting the protection and conservation of marine resources, informing policy decisions, and promoting public-private partnerships, the WGBE seeks to realise its overarching goal of promoting the development of the blue economy in a manner that is:
- Socially inclusive;
- Economically inclusive; and
- Environmentally sustainable.
- To implement the IORA Action Plan and decisions, which will be endorsed by the Committee of Senior Officials (CSO) for approval by the Council of Ministers’ Meeting (COMM)
- To develop and implement a Work Plan for the Blue Economy and to review it as and when necessary
- To create a common platform for dialogue and exchange of information, including on opportunities, challengesand best practices
- To strengthen networks of policy-makers, research institutions, academics, experts, civil society representatives and stakeholders
- To make recommendations that would inform policy and decision-making to be endorsed by CSO and COM;
- To foster cooperation amongst IORA Member States in respect of Blue Economy, in collaboration with Dialogue Partners and other key international/regional stakeholders as necessary
- To promote strengthened public-private partnerships and transfer of technology in the Blue Economy
- To develop and support appropriate mechanisms of cooperation for sustainable development in the Blue Economy
- To encourage Member States and Dialogue Partners to offer training and capacity building programmes to meet the needs and improve livelihoods of Member States, including coastal communities
- To promote the protection and conservation of the marine resources and capacity building to identify and manage risk to the marine ecosystem and associated biodiversity
- To promote strengthened legal and regulatory frameworks with regards to the sustainable development of the Blue Economy if necessary.The Working Group adopted a Work Plan that consists of projects identified by Member States to advance the blue economy agenda in the Indian Ocean region. The Work Plan can be accessed here.
