The Meeting of Experts on Maritime Safety and Security was held on 13-14 October 2015 in New Delhi, India. Organized by the Government of India as an IORA event, this expert-level meeting focused on two pressing non-traditional security challenges in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR): Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated (IUU) Fishing and the security of natural hydrocarbon resources.

The meeting convened maritime security experts, policymakers, and technical specialists from IORA Member States. Discussions centered on the economic and security impacts of IUU fishing, including its links to transnational organized crime, and the vulnerabilities of offshore energy infrastructure. Participants shared national experiences, assessed existing legal and monitoring frameworks, and explored the need for enhanced surveillance, information sharing, and coordinated patrols to address these complex issues.

The key outcome was a comprehensive Meeting Report that detailed the expert deliberations and provided actionable recommendations. This meeting played a crucial role in deepening the regional understanding of specific maritime crimes and their interconnections. It directly contributed to IORA's MSS priority by identifying clear areas for targeted action and cooperation, laying the conceptual foundation for future collaborative initiatives to protect the region's vital living and non-living marine resources.