On 9 October 2014, H.E. Mr. Don Pramudwinai, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Thailand attended the 14^th Meeting of the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) Council of Ministers in Perth, Australia.  

The Meeting, chaired by Ms. Julie Bishop, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Australia, placed great emphasis on how to best exploit resources and opportunities found within the Indian Ocean region. Trade, investment, fisheries, mineral exploration, renewable energy and tourism were identified as the key drivers of IORA’s growing blue economy.

Minister Pramudwinai made a comment that IORA’s priority should be directed towards food security, energy security and freer flows of trade and investment.  Projects that could advance these goals included training and knowledge sharing on fisheries management and aquaculture, an IORA Energy Action Plan and studies on the impact of trade measures on imports and exports of fisheries products.

Minister Pramudwinai also suggested that IORA promote maritime connectivity, including through the development and improvement of domestic and port-to-port infrastructure.  Projects that were highlighted included Ranong Port, Pakbara Port and Songkhla Port in Thailand, as well as the Dawei Deep Sea Port in Myanmar. 

The Minister also made a suggestion that IORA improve its work on people-to-people connectivity.  On the business sector, the Minister supported the establishment of an IORA business travel card.  He also proposed that a network of IORA experts and researchers be set up for better knowledge sharing and joint research activities.  

Youth programmes should also be promoted.  It is important that our youth understand and are made aware of the impact that IORA could have on their future so that, when it is their turn, they could carry on the ideas and continue to implement IORA’s actions and ideals.

During the Meeting, the Minister also attended the signing ceremony of the new IORA Charter and witnessed the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding for the Coordination and Cooperation of Search and Rescue Services in the Indian Ocean Region.

The Minister also held bilateral meetings with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Seychelles, and Deputy Ministers of Foreign Affairs of Iran and Malaysia.