On 11 October 2023, His Excellency Mr. Sihasak Phuangketkeow, Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Thailand, attended the 23rd Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) Meeting of the Council of Ministers (COM) chaired by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Sri Lanka, as the Chair of IORA for the year 2023 - 2025, in Colombo, Sri Lanka.

Vice Minister stressed the importance of mitigating the impacts of climate change, ensuring the maritime safety and security of the Indian Ocean by leveraging advanced technologies and transition towards green economy. Furthermore, Thailand urged IORA members to forge closer interdependence that is open, free, inclusive and rule-based.

The Meeting adopted the Colombo Communiqué which acknowledged the progress made under the functional bodies of the IORA such as the collaboration with the regional organisations and the United Nations and the progress of the agreement made with the International Organisations and other regional cooperation, including the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC), during which Thailand is a founding member and has leading role. The Meeting also endorsed the “IORA Vision 2030 and Beyond” as a vision to realize a peaceful, stable, and prosperous Indian Ocean Region by enhancing cooperation and strengthening Indian Ocean region’s resilience to future challenges.

IORA was established in 1995 to enhance economic cooperation, trade and investment facilitation and sustainable development of the Indian Ocean region. Currently, IORA has 23 member states and 11 dialogue partners.