Indian Ocean Conference to be held in Muscat next week
The eighth Indian Ocean Conference (IOC) will begin next Sunday in Oman. The two day Conference will be hosted by the Sultanate represented by the Foreign Ministry under the theme “A Voyage Towards New Horizons of Maritime Partnership.”
In a press conference at the Foreign Ministry, Sheikh Khalifa Alharthy, Undersecretary for Political Affairs, said the Conference, to be held under the patronage of Oman's Foreign Minister, Sayyid Badr Albusaidi, will bring together ministers and officials representing 60 countries and international organisations from across the Indian Ocean region.
The Undersecretary said that hosting the Conference will not be Oman's first initiative in this domain, as the Sultanate was a founding member of the Indian Ocean Rim Association, established in 1997. Oman has also previously hosted numerous conferences related to maritime affairs and the blue economy.
Sheikh Khalifa explained that the primary goal of the Conference is to strengthen economic and security cooperation between the coastal states of the Indian Ocean, as well as with countries with strategic interests in the region.
He added that it reflects Oman's commitment to enhancing maritime security, supporting sustainable trade, developing mechanisms for cooperation, boosting economic interests, ensuring the sustainability of ocean resources, and improving transport and maritime security capabilities.
He said that the Conference will also provide participants with insights into Oman's infrastructure and ports, reinforcing the Sultanate's position as an attractive investment destination.
The Political Undersecretary added that the event reflects the distinguished strategic relationship between Oman and India and the initiatives that contribute to strengthening these ties. He explained that the Conference will feature bilateral meetings between Oman's Foreign Minister and his counterparts, focusing on enhancing maritime cooperation between Oman and participating nations.
Dr Ram Madhav, President of the India Foundation, co-organisers of the Conference, said that foreign ministers from 27 countries will present their perspectives on shared security challenges and ways to enhance maritime partnerships. He added that the primary objective of the conference is to establish partnerships and foster cooperation among participating countries and organisations, noting that the Indian Ocean region is home to approximately three billion people, with 70% of global maritime trade passing through its waters.
The Indian Ocean Conference (IOC) is a prominent international platform that was launched by the Indian Foundation in 2016. It has since become a key forum for strengthening cooperation among Indian Ocean nations and global powers with strategic interests in the region. Countries such as Oman, India, Sri Lanka, Australia, and Singapore have played pivotal roles in its development.
The eighth Conference will explore ways to enhance maritime partnerships, improve trade connectivity, support sustainable development, address maritime security challenges, ensure freedom of navigation, and leverage modern technology to strengthen port security and governance.
This is an unofficial English version of an Arabic report. To view the official Arabic text, click here.