What is IORA?

The Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) is the premier Ministerial-level forum and peak regional organisation for addressing shared challenges in the Indian Ocean region. Formed in 1997 to foster regional economic cooperation, IORA has evolved to facilitate the broad cooperation and collaboration that underpins our shared Indian Ocean community.

As a founding member state, and proud Indian Ocean nation, Australia is a strong and active supporter of IORA. It plays a key role in reinforcing regional norms, effectively addressing shared challenges, including climate change and maritime security, and achieving Australia's visions of a peaceful, stable, and prosperous Indian Ocean region.

IORA has 23 member states: Australia, Bangladesh, Comoros, France, India, Indonesia, Iran, Kenya, Madagascar, Malaysia, Maldives, Mauritius, Mozambique, Oman, Seychelles, Singapore, Somalia, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, Thailand, the United Arab Emirates and Yemen.

IORA has 12 dialogue partners: China, Egypt, European Union, Germany, Italy, Japan, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Türkiye, the Republic of Korea, the United Kingdom and the United States of America.

Australia chaired the organisation between 2013 and 2015. India is the current Chair having taken over from Sri Lanka as Chair (2025-27) on 12 November 2025.

The Council of Ministers (COM) is IORA's peak decision-making body, bringing together ministers annually to discuss policy and set strategic direction. The Prime Minister's Special Envoy for Indian Ocean Affairs, the Hon Tim Watts MP, represented Australia at the May 2025 COM, which was held virtually.

The COM is supported by biannual meetings of the Committee of Senior Officials (CSO).

Decisions made within IORA are reached by consensus and commitments are undertaken on a voluntary basis.

IORA priorities

IORA's objectives are enshrined in the IORA Charter.

The organisation has six priority areas:

• Maritime safety and security;
• Trade and investment facilitation;
• Fisheries management;
• Disaster risk management;
• Academic, science and technology cooperation; and
• Tourism and cultural exchange.

The blue economy and women's economic empowerment are two further cross-cutting priority areas.

IORA has working groups for each of its priority areas. Comprising of experts in the priority area, working groups meet regularly to advance cooperation and share best practice.

IORA also has other bodies and specialised agencies, including the Indian Ocean Rim Business Forum (IORABF) and the Indian Ocean Rim Academic Group (IORAG), and specialised agencies which meet regularly to support IORA's objectives.

Australia's priorities in IORA

Australia's thematic priorities in IORA include maritime safety and security and the blue economy (the sustainable use of maritime resources).

Australia is currently Chair of the Maritime Safety and Security Working Group, which works to increase dialogue on maritime safety and security challenges in our region and coordinate on maritime capacity-building programs delivered through IORA.

Australia also funds the IORA Blue Carbon Hub, which is run by the CSIRO at its Indian Ocean Marine Research Centre in Perth. The Hub empowers IORA member states to protect and restore blue carbon ecosystems upon which many livelihoods in the Indian Ocean rely.

More information about IORA and key documents are available on the IORA website.