Pretoria - International Relations and Cooperation Deputy Minister Nomaindiya Mfeketo will lead a South African delegation to the 16th Council of Ministers Meeting of the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA).
The meeting, which will convene on Thursday in Bali, Indonesia, will include Foreign Ministers from IORA Member States, including representatives from IORA Dialogue Partners.
The purpose of the meeting is to deliberate on important matters and developments within the Indian Ocean Rim Association.
“IORA is a Charter based regional multilateral organisation that is fraternal in nature and driven by consensus.
“The Association is essentially an economic co-operative community of twenty one (21) littoral and island States around the Indian Ocean, and seven Dialogue Partners,” the Department of International Relations and Cooperation said.
South Africa views the IORA as the pre-eminent regional organisation linking Africa, the Middle East and Asia via the Indian Ocean.
The department said the Association is growing in stature and prominence, with South Africa serving currently as the Association’s Vice Chair, and will assume the Chair position from October 2017 – October 2019. – SAnews.gov.za
