IORA’s Observer Status

  1. United Nations General Assembly (UNGA)
    IORA is a proud observer at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) following the unanimous approval of the Resolution A/RES/70/123 on 14 December 2015 by the UNGA members.

     

  2. African Union (AU)

    IORA formalized its status of observer at the African Union on 9 November 2015, when the former IORA Secretary General, Ambassador K. V. Bhagirath, presented his Letter of Credentials to the former African Union Commission Chairperson, H.E. Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma.
    Moreover, a proposal for a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between IORA and the AU was proposed and is currently being processed.  

     

  3. United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD)
    IORA became an observer of UNCTAD when the former’s application was approved by the Trade and Development Board at the 61st session of the UNCTAD, held on 26 September 2014. The application of IORA was made in line with rule 76 of the rules of procedure of the Board. 
    Accordingly, the status of observer allows IORA to be represented and to participate in the Trade and Development Board meetings, as well as in the public intergovernmental meetings organised by UNCTAD.
     
Organisations with which IORA signed an MOU.
No.
Regional and International Partners
MOUs
Date/Venue
01
Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)
Memorandum of Understanding between IORA and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)

4 September 2023, Jakarta, Indonesia

02
Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (IOC-UNESCO)
Memorandum of Understanding between IORA and the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (IOC-UNESCO)

14 March 2023, virtually

03
Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI)
Memorandum of Understanding between IORA and the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI)

28 April 2022, virtually

04
International Seabed Authority (ISA)
Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the International Seabed Authority (ISA) and IORA

17 March 2022, virtually

05
Indian Ocean Commission (IOC)
Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Indian Ocean Commission (IOC) and IORA*

23 February 2022, Paris, France 

*signed at the 36th Ordinary Council of Ministers of the Indian Ocean Commission

06
Global Trade Review (GTR)
Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between IORA and the Global Trade Review (GTR)

January 2022, virtually

07
French Development Agency (Agence Française de Développement) (AFD)
MoU between IORA and France through the French Development Agency (Agence Française de Développement) (AFD) for Strengthening the Capacities of IORA in promoting the Blue Economy and Fisheries Management

9 March 2020, IORA Secretariat, Mauritius

08
Centre for Science & Technology of the Non-aligned and other Developing Countries (NAM S&T Centre)
MoU between IORA and the Centre for Science & Technology of the Non-aligned and other Developing Countries (NAM S&T Centre) on Application of Science, Technology & Innovation for Sustainable Development*

7 November 2019, Abu Dhabi, UAE

* MoU was renewed in New Delhi on 29 September 2022.

09
Germany through the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ)
MoU between IORA and Germany through the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH for Strengthening the capacities of IORA*

7 November 2019, Abu Dhabi, UAE

*21 December 2020 - signature of the updated MOU that extends and expands the programme of cooperation between IORA and GIZ from 1 July 2020 to 30 June 2022. 

August 2022- signature of the extension of the existing MOU until March 2023.

10
International Solar Alliance for Sustainable Development and Deployment of Solar Energy (ISA)*
MoU between IORA and International Solar Alliance for Sustainable Development and Deployment of Solar Energy (ISA)*

3 October 2018, New Delhi, India

* MoU was extended and signed remotely on August 2021.

11
United Nations Institute for Training Research and IORA
MoU between the United Nations Institute for Training Research and IORA

December 2018, Remotely

12
Research and Information System for Developing Countries (RIS)
MoU between IORA and Research and Information System for Developing Countries (RIS)

16 January 2018, New Delhi, India

13
Non-Aligned Movement for South-South Technical Co-operation (NAM CSSTC)
MoU on a Collaborative Framework between IORA and the Non-Aligned Movement for South-South Technical Co-operation (NAM CSSTC)

28 November 2017, Jakarta, Indonesia

14
Governments of the Member States of the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) for Promotion of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs)
MoU between the Governments of the Member States of the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) for Promotion of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs)

To date, nineteen (19) Member States have signed, namely Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, Iran, Kenya, Madagascar, Malaysia, Maldives, Mauritius, Mozambique, Seychelles, Singapore, Somalia, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, Thailand, UAE, and Yemen

15
Governments of the Member States of the IORA for the Coordination and Cooperation of Search and Rescue Services in the Indian Ocean Region
MoU between the Governments of the Member States of the IORA for the Coordination and Co-operation of Search and Rescue Services in the Indian Ocean Region

To date, eighteen (18) Member States have signed the MOU on Search and Rescue namely; Australia, Bangladesh, Union of Comoros, India, Indonesia, Iran, Kenya, Madagascar, Maldives, Mauritius, Mozambique, Seychelles, Singapore, Somalia, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, and Thailand

16
Fisheries Support Unit (FSU)
MoU for the Establishment of the IORA Fisheries Support Unit (FSU) in Oman

15 November 2011 at the 11th COM, Bengaluru, India

17
Regional Centre for Science and Technology (RCSTT) in Iran
MoU for the Establishment of the IORA Regional Centre for Science and Technology (RCSTT) in Iran

23 June 2008 at the IORA Secretariat, Mauritius