Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) Secretariat took part in the ASEAN-Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) and ASEAN-IORA Dialogue, themed “Implementing Collective Commitment to Establish Cooperation.” Held at the ASEAN Secretariat in Jakarta, the event focused on strengthening cooperation through a Framework of Cooperation (FoC) between ASEAN, IORA, and PIF.

The IORA delegation, comprising Ms. Amanda Aspden, Mr. Sajid M. Mallam Hassam and Ms. Vijaya L. Rumon actively participated in the event. Ms. Amanda Aspden (Director at the IORA Secretariat) delivered remarks during the Joint Session, emphasising the importance of the Dialogue in enhancing collaboration between ASEAN, IORA, and PIF. She highlighted how this engagement helps align the ASEAN and IORA outlooks on the Indo-Pacific.

Discussions during the event focused on the implementation of priority areas under the MoU, particularly aligning the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP) and the IORA Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (IOIP). The panel discussion featured distinguished speakers from ASEAN and IORA, with Mr. Sajid M. Mallam Hassam, Principal Programme Officer, presenting on crucial topics such as maritime cooperation, the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 2030, the blue economy, people-to-people exchanges, and the digital and green economies. Secretariat-to-Secretariat collaboration was also highlighted, with future cooperation opportunities explored.

This Dialogue reinforced cooperation between regional organisations and laid the groundwork for future collaboration. The significance of the relationship between the IORA and the ASEAN lies in their joint efforts to promote peace, prosperity, and the well-being of their respective peoples by strengthening cooperation between them.