Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain -File Photo

DHAKA, May 21, 2025 (BSS) – Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain today laid emphasis on the importance to rethink the intra-IORA trade and investment dynamics and adopt an approach that would help open up the untapped potential of Indian Ocean region.   
 
He made the remarks when addressing the 24th Meeting of the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) Council of Ministers (COM) held virtually this afternoon under the theme, “Sustainable Indian Ocean for Future Generations”, a foreign ministry’s press release said here.  

The adviser said that a strategic review of trade facilitation mechanisms, connectivity projects and investment frameworks within IORA is imperative.

Hossain said that the Indian Ocean is not only a crucial conduit for international trade but also a space of increasing strategic importance.

He mentioned that under Bangladesh’s Chairship (2021-2023), the organization witnessed several accomplishments including expanding institutional cooperation, increasing in the Dialogue Partners’ number, laying out of IORA’s Indo-Pacific Strategy and strengthening institutional capacity of the IORA Secretariat. 

He reiterated that Bangladesh, as part of the IORA TROIKA, will remain vigilant in promoting IORA’s strategic vision for a peaceful, prosperous and resilient Indian Ocean region.

Foreign Adviser called upon the delegates to initiate appropriate actions to combat the challenges such as maritime piracy, armed robbery, human trafficking, illegal arms trafficking, Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) fishing etc. 

It is only proper that IORA assumes a central role in combating those challenges, in a manner which is participatory, inclusive and open in nature, he added.

The Foreign Adviser urged the Council to prioritize conservation and the sustainable responsible use of ocean and coastal resources to ensure a healthy planet and prosperous future for generations to come.

Bangladesh, with the support of the IORA Secretariat has led a consultative process involving Member States and IORA’s partners to develop the “draft IORA’s Climate Change Strategic Agenda”. 

The Foreign Adviser urged the IORA Council of Ministers to adopt the draft “IORA’s Climate Change Strategic Agenda”, to enable the Member States to take coordinated action to enhance climate resilience, reduce vulnerability and mobilize sustainable finance and technology. 

The Indian Ocean Rim Association is an inter-governmental organization which aims to promote sustainable growth and balanced development of the Member States. 

The 24th Council of Ministers adopted The Colombo Communiqué, IORA Principle Guidelines on Combating Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) fishing, and IORA’s Climate Change Strategic Agenda, which was initiated and finalized under the proactive leadership of Bangladesh.