The 1st IORA Online Workshop on the Development of an “IORA Declaration on Combatting Marine Debris” and a Strategic Framework of Action in the Indian Ocean was a foundational initiative aimed at elevating marine pollution to the forefront of IORA’s regional agenda. Held virtually on 07 December 2021, the workshop’s primary purpose was to initiate a collaborative process among stakeholders to draft a formal declaration and a long-term strategic framework.
Key objectives included identifying the specific needs and priorities of Member States, sharing global and regional best practices from organizations like UNEP and ASEAN, and establishing a baseline for regional action through a comprehensive questionnaire.
The event was organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia in collaboration with the IORA Secretariat, with support from the German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety and the Federal Foreign Office. Participation included high-level officials from Indonesia and Germany, technical experts from GIZ and the Resources & Waste Advisory Group (RWA), and delegates from IORA Member States. The program featured five technical presentations addressing the Grant Program against Marine Litter, regional monitoring in the Western Indian Ocean, and the evolving mandate of UNEA 5.2.
Blue Economy activities were specifically highlighted through discussions on a "whole life cycle approach", addressing waste from land-based sources to the sea, and the importance of capacity building and public awareness. Participants also engaged in a Mentimeter survey to identify core elements for the framework, such as the harmonisation of methods and knowledge sharing.
Main outcomes included the decision to recirculate a revised questionnaire to finalize a "zero-draft" of the strategic framework by early 2022. The workshop advanced the regional agenda by outlining a roadmap toward a final endorsement at the 4th Ministerial Blue Economy Conference. This initiative is centrally relevant to IORA’s Blue Economy work plan, contributing to regional cooperation by addressing the transboundary nature of marine litter and fostering a sustainable, waste-free marine environment.
