Indian Ocean Rim Association For Regional Co-Operation (IOR-ARC)

The Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) (also known as the Indian Ocean Rim Association for Regional Co-operation) is an international organization of countries  that has coast line with the Indian Ocean. At present IOR-ARC has 20 member states and 6 countries are recognized as the dialogue partner. It was first established as Indian Ocean Rim Initiative in Mauritius on March 1995.

The objectives of IOR-ARC are as follows:

• To promote sustainable growth and balanced development of the region and Member States
• To focus on those areas of economic cooperation which provide maximum opportunities for development, shared interest and mutual benefits
• To promote liberalization, remove impediments and lower barriers towards a freer and enhanced flow of goods, services, investment, and technology within the Indian Ocean rim.

In 2011, six priority areas of cooperation were identified. These are:

1.  Maritime Safety and Security
2. Trade and Investment Facilitation
3.  Fisheries Management
4. Disaster Risk Management
5. Academic and Science & Technology Cooperation
6. Tourism and Cultural Exchanges.

The member states of IOR-ARC are:

1. Australia
2. Bangladesh
3. Comoros
4. India
5. Indonesia
6. Iran
7. Kenya
8. Madagascar
9. Malaysia
10. Mauritius
11. Mozambique
12. Oman
13. Seychelles
14. Singapore
15. South Africa
16. Sri Lanka
17. Tanzania
18. Thailand
19. United Arab Emirates
20. Yemen