Regional cooperation, particularly in the areas of maritime security, natural resource management and trade facilitation, is essential to respond proactively, efficiently, and innovatively to the existing and unprecedented challenges affecting the world and the Indian Ocean region.
This was the gist of the message of the Attorney General, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Regional Integration and International Trade, President of the Council of Ministers of the Indian Ocean Commission (IOC), Mr. Maneesh Gobin, on Wednesday, at the 40th anniversary celebrations of the IOC at the InterContinental Resort in Balaclava.
The Secretary General of the IOC, Mr Vêlayoudom Marimoutou, representatives of the IOC member states, and other personalities were also present at the event.
In his address, Minister Gobin recalled the institutionalisation of the IOC, following the signing of the General Agreement on Cooperation, commonly known as the ‘Victoria Agreement’, in 1984. He thanked the five Member States, namely Comoros, Madagascar, Mauritius, France (for Réunion) and the Seychelles, for the synergetic implementation of the IOC’s programmes and activities and reflected on four decades of achievements.
Moreover, Mr Gobin urged IOC’s partners and observers to work together to chart the way forward for future innovative and adaptive initiatives to respond to threats such as natural disasters and human-induced risks, including piracy and illegal trafficking. Such an endeavour, he indicated, will be feasible through the continued reinforcement of surveillance mechanisms, the exchange of information, collective response, conservation, and the protection of the rich cultural heritage.
Championing the significance of fostering solidarity, open communication and mutual respect, the Minister recalled that the dialogue session held in November 2023, with representatives of the Member States, was an opportunity to promote unity and strengthen commitment to meet the IOC’s objectives. The General Agreement on Cooperation, revised and adopted by the IOC Council of Ministers in 2020, is currently in the ratification process, he pointed out.
Besides, Mr Gobin informed that the restructuration of the IOC staff organisational chart is in process. Mauritius will provide additional space for the Secretary General in Ebene so that the staff can benefit from a more conducive working environment, he added.
For his part, Mr Marimoutou reiterated the imperativeness for regional cooperation to meet for the pressing needs of Member States. He also outlined the numerous achievements of the IOC since its setting up 40 years ago, particularly in the areas of telecommunications, maritime security, drug seizure, ecosystem, and fisheries security.
