South Africa to Participate in IORA Council of Ministers Meeting in Sri Lanka

Colombo, Sri Lanka – South Africa’s Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Dr. Naledi Pandor, will participate in the 23rd Council of Ministers (COM) Meeting of the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) on October 11, 2023.

The meeting, which will be held under the theme “Strengthening Regional Architecture: Reinforcing Indian Ocean Identity,” will take stock of IORA’s progress since the last meeting in Bangladesh and discuss future initiatives.

Sri Lanka will assume the role of IORA Chair for the next two years, taking over from Bangladesh. India will become the Vice-Chair.

IORA is an intergovernmental organization with 23 member states and nine dialogue partners. It seeks to promote cooperation and understanding among its members on a wide range of issues, including trade, investment, maritime security, and environmental protection.

South Africa views IORA as an important platform for advancing its foreign policy goals, which include upholding multilateralism and global collaboration in addressing global challenges.

Minister Naledi Pandor, will take part in the 23rd Council of Ministers (COM) Meeting of the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA), in Colombo, Sri Lanka, on 11 October 2023 themed: “Strengthening Regional Architecture: Reinforcing Indian Ocean Identity”.https://t.co/CafPycTg0f pic.twitter.com/CqErorAuZR

— DIRCO South Africa (@DIRCO_ZA) October 9, 2023