The First (Virtual) Meeting of the IORA Working Group on Science, Technology and Innovation (WGSTI) was held on 30 September 2021. It marked the formal commencement of the Group’s work following its establishment under the IORA Charter in December 2020. The meeting was convened to review progress under the WGSTI Work Plan (2020–2021), clarify coordination mechanisms with other IORA bodies, and identify priority actions to strengthen regional cooperation in science, technology and innovation (STI). Key focus areas included institutional coordination, capacity building in marine science and technology, and alignment with the 2nd IORA Action Plan (2022– 2027).
The meeting was organised and hosted by the IORA Secretariat and chaired by the Republic of India, in its capacity as WGSTI Chair. The IORA Regional Centre for Science and Technology Transfer (RCSTT) and the Western Indian Ocean Marine Science Association (WIOMSA) participated as key regional partners. Representatives from IORA Member States, namely France (Réunion), India, Indonesia, Kenya, Madagascar, Malaysia, Mauritius, Mozambique, Oman, South Africa, Sri Lanka, and Tanzania, attended the meeting, alongside the IORA Secretariat. Participants comprised senior officials and technical experts responsible for STI cooperation at national and regional levels.
The meeting adopted its agenda and reviewed progress in implementing the WGSTI Work Plan (2020–2021), noting delays resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. Discussions clarified the distinct yet complementary roles of the WGSTI as a functional, decision-making body and the Indian Ocean Rim Academic Group (IORAG) as an advisory academic entity.
Member States agreed on follow-up actions, including updating national focal point and expert lists, reporting on thematic achievements, and sharing existing and planned capacity-building programmes in marine science and technology. The meeting also welcomed RCSTT as a strategic partner and requested proposed STI project ideas for implementation under the WGSTI framework.
Looking ahead, the meeting considered preparations for the 2nd IORA Action Plan and agreed to establish an ad hoc Sub-Committee, led by India and South Africa, to draft a new WGSTI Work Plan aligned with the Action Plan. The role of Dialogue Partners and regional scientific organisations in supporting implementation was also acknowledged.
