Maldives to join IORA

President has decided on the Maldivian participation in the Indian Ocean Rim Association for Regional Cooperation (IORA).

The decision was made following a Cabinet meeting yesterday on a paper presented by the Ministry of Foreign Affiars.

The Cooperation is based on the principles of sovereign equality, territorial integrity, political independence, non-interference in internal affairs, peaceful coexistence and mutual benefit among members. The main areas of cooperation include economics, science and technology, fisheries, tourism, and human resource development.

At the meeting, members noted that membership of IORA would facilitate resolving issues of piracy, terrorism, and other security concerns in the Indian ocean.