Indian Ocean Dialogue

• EVENT REPORTS

Indian Ocean Dialogue – 2015

Perth hosted the second edition of the Indian Ocean Dialogue from September 5-7. Eighty-seven officials and representatives from think tanks and civil societies participated in the proceedings. The dialogue concluded with the release of the Perth Consensus.

Photolabs@ORF

2015

Sep

28

The second edition of the Indian Ocean Dialogue (IOD) was held from 5-7 September at Perth, Western Australia. This edition of the dialogue was built upon the outcomes of the first IOD held in Kochi, hosted by Observer Research Foundation (ORF) with support from the Ministry of External Affairs, India.

The second IOD was inaugurated by the Ms. Julie Bishop, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Australia and attended by 20 member countries, four Partners and one Observer. Eighty-seven officials and representatives from think tanks and civil societies participated in the proceedings of the dialogue which resulted in the adoption of the Perth Consensus. The Perth Consensus captures the spirit of regionalism in the Indian Ocean community highlighting the urgency to formulate a cooperative framework for the littoral. Participants at the dialogue discussed the issues facing the Indian Ocean region under six themes and two ’spotlight’ presentations over two days.

Dr. C. Raja Mohan, Distinguished Fellow, ORF, delivered the inaugural dinner address on September 5. He recalled the outcomes from the previous IOD laying the ground for the second one. As the ORF representative heading a five-member delegation from India, Dr. Mohan expanded upon the geo-political developments in the Indian Ocean region, providing an outline of the challenges ahead for the region as a whole. He emphasised on regional cooperation to realise IORA’s potential as an effective institution to combat crimes and address traditional and non-traditional security challenges.

The sessions began on September 6, with the Ms. Julie Bishop MP, Minister for Foreign Affairs, Australia, delivering the keynote address. The minister recognised that the “security challenges faced by our region are geostrategic in nature”. She particularly noted “The rise of India and China, and the shift of global economic gravity towards East Asia, underscores the importance of maintaining a secure environment for trade and investment throughout our maritime region”. The minister applauded IORA’s efforts on the Blue Economy and stressed on the need to find sustainable methods in ocean resource management. Acknowledging that opportunities come with challenges, the minister emphasised that regional cooperation and integration is the best way to manage conflicts. The minister also urged IORA members to deliberate on inclusive methods on women empowerment especially in the economic sectors within IORA. Concluding the address, the minister remarked on the need to continue to bolster IORA’s capacity and profile stating “As the only ministerial-level forum that spans the Indian Ocean, we must continue to bolster IORA’s profile and capacity to enhance regional cooperation and consultation. IORA offers us the unique capacity to address key political, security and economic issues in a constructive dialogue.”