The Third Meeting of the IORA Maritime Safety and Security (MSS) Working Group was held on 20 March 2023 in Colombo, Sri Lanka. Chaired by Sri Lanka, this in-person meeting was key to refining and advancing the group's strategic work program.

Member States convened to review the implementation of the Second Work Plan (2022-2026). The central activity was a substantive revision and reorganisation of the planned activities under four clear thematic pillars: Search and Rescue, Maritime Crime, Maritime Partnership, and Information Sharing. This restructuring aimed to bring greater focus, coherence, and measurable outcomes to the Working Group's efforts.

The meeting produced a Decision Report containing the revised and more streamlined workplan. This outcome ensured that the Working Group's initiatives were strategically aligned, manageable, and directly addressed the most pressing regional needs. The meeting reinforced collaborative governance of the MSS agenda, providing a clear and actionable framework for member states to contribute to a safer and more secure Indian Ocean.