Maldives has become a member of the Indian Ocean Rim Association for Regional Cooperation (IORA). With the granting of membership for Maldives, the membership of IORA has now been increased to 22.
Maldives membership in IORA was finalised at the 18th meeting of the council of ministers in Durban, South Africa on November 2. Maldives decided to participate in IORA in May 2017.
While Maldives' application was considered in July, countries such as Mauritius noted there had been no communication from Maldives for support to any member since applying for membership and hence, the application was denied then.
The 18th IORA Meeting of the Council of Ministers (COM) was held at the Southern Sun Elangeni and Maharani Hotel in Durban, South Africa on November 2 under the theme selected by South Africa for the period of its Chairmanship: IORA: Uniting the Peoples of Africa, Asia, Australasia and the Middle East through enhanced cooperation for Peace, Stability And Sustainable Development.
IORA is an inter-governmental organisation which was established on March 7, 1997. The vision for IORA originated during a visit by late President Nelson Mandela of South Africa to India in 1995.