Minister of Foreign Affairs Abdulla Shahid has signed the Instrument of Acceptance of the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) at the ongoing Council of Ministers in Abu Dhabi, UAE. Upon signing the Instrument of Acceptance, Maldives became the 22nd and newest member state of IORA.
Maldives is represented at IORA by Foreign Minister Shahid, who also participated at the Opening Ceremony of the 19th Council of Ministers of IORA. This is the first time Maldives is taking part in the IORA ministerial meeting since gaining membership in 2018.
IORA is an international organisation, first established in March 1995 and formally launched in March 1997, consisting of 22 coastal states bordering the Indian Ocean. IORA is a regional forum, tripartite in nature, bringing together representatives of government, business and academia, for promoting co-operation and closer interaction among them. It is based on the principles of Open Regionalism for strengthening Economic Cooperation particularly on Trade Facilitation and Investment, Promotion as well as Social Development of the region.