President Shahabuddin

Photo: PID

President praises IORA for boosting development in Indian Ocean region

IORA Secretary General Dr. Salman Al Farisi met the President on the sidelines of the ASEAN Summit on Wednesday, September 6. Speaking there, the President praised IORA for promoting sustainable growth and balanced development in the Indian Ocean region.

After the meeting, Foreign Minister Dr. AK Abdul Momen said in a briefing, "The President appreciated the leadership of the IORA Secretary General in managing the association and the excellent efforts of his team in achieving the goals of IORA."

The President is now in Indonesia to attend the 43rd Summit of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the 18th 'East Asia Summit' at the Jakarta Convention Center (JCC). Foreign Minister Dr. AK Abdul Momen is accompanying the President on the visit.

Momen said that President Shahabuddin said that Bangladesh was fortunate to serve as the President of IORA for the period of November 2021 to October 2023. Bangladesh attaches great importance to the mission and activities of IORA. He also said that Bangladesh will continue efforts to enhance cooperation in IORA's six priority areas and two cross-cutting areas.

The President said that during the IORA chairmanship, Bangladesh played an important role in resolving some long-standing administrative issues and finalizing the Indo-Pacific Outlook of IORA, completing the process of making Saudi Arabia a partner in the dialogue of IORA and advancing the issue of dialogue partnership with the EU.

Meanwhile, IORA Secretary General informed the President of Bangladesh about the overall activities of IORA to strengthen sustainable growth and balanced development in the Indian Ocean region. He appreciated Bangladesh's pioneering role in securing the interests of IORA stakeholders and exploring the potential of the blue economy.

Foreign Minister Dr. AK Abdul Momen, Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Maritime Affairs Unit) Rear Admiral (retd) Md Khorshed Alam and the concerned secretaries of the President were present in the meeting.