On 19 – 20 June 2014, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Thailand hosted the 4th Bi-annual Meeting of the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) Committee of Senior Officials at the Westin Siray Bay Resort & Spa, Phuket.  Around 80 participants from 20 Member States attended the Meeting.

The Meeting discussed policy issues and ways forward for IORA to promote cooperation in six priority areas, including maritime safety and security, response to maritime piracy, trade and investment facilitation, fisheries management, disaster risk reduction, and gender empowerment.

The Meeting also recommended that the role of Dialogue Partners - namely China, Egypt, France, Japan, Great Britain and United States of America, be enhanced through more engagement in IORA's activities and meetings, as well as regular dialogues with Member States. IORA's academic–to–academic and business–to–business cooperation should also be promoted. 

The Outcome of the meeting will be submitted to the 14th IORA Council of Ministers Meeting to be held on 6 - 9 October 2014 in Perth, Australia.

At the opening ceremony of the Meeting, Mr. Chutintorn Gongsakdi, Director-General of Department of International Economic Affairs, as Thailand's IORA Senior Official, gave remarks on the political situation in Thailand reiterating that a three-step roadmap towards reconciliation and general elections is now being implemented and, therefore, asked IORA Member States to view the current situation as an opportunity to strengthen and consolidate Thailand’s democracy.

Mr. Manasvi Srisodapol, Deputy Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Thailand, met with Ambassador K.V. Bhagirath, IORA Secretary-General, to discuss the progress of IORA and offer clarification on Thailand’s current political situation.  At the welcoming dinner for IORA delegates, he also expressed appreciation to all IORA Member States for agreeing to convene the meeting in Thailand, as it is a confidence booster for Thailand during its restoration of sustainable democracy process.  He hoped that Thailand would not be abandoned by its friends, but rather be given encouragement during this challenging period.