The fourth Indian Ocean Dialogue, IOD, of the Indian Ocean Rim Association, IORA, concluded yesterday in Abu Dhabi.

The forum was organised by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, in coordination with the Emirates Centre for Strategic Studies and Research in Abu Dhabi, and was attended by delegations from IORA’s member countries and its strategic partners, as well as several experts and specialists.

The forum discussed the main challenges and opportunities for IORA's member countries and ways to promote cooperation among them in the areas of maritime security and safety, cybersecurity, climate change and sustainable development.

Delivering the inaugural speech, Dr. Anwar bin Mohammed Gargash, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, thanked the General Secretariat for its efforts and commitment to make this event a success. He also thanked the Emirates Centre for Strategic Studies and Research for hosting the forum.

He highlighted the challenges faced by IORA's member countries, including climate change, and stressed that the current weather phenomena, the corrosion of coral reefs and the rise in sea levels required redoubled efforts and procedures that would help face the implications and impacts of climate change.

Dr. Gargash spoke about the leading role of the UAE in this regard, as it has taken several precautions to face this phenomenon and its impact, referring to the national climate change plan that was launched last June.

He also emphasised the importance of renewable energy as a fundamental element in the UAE's efforts, and pointed to the establishment of renewable energy company Masdar, the hosting of the headquarters of the International Renewable Energy Agency, IRENA, and its solar energy initiatives, including Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park, the largest strategic project to generate renewable energy in the world.

He underlined the importance of regional integration in the area of maritime security and safety in the Indian Ocean, capacity building, exchange of information and institutional cooperation in science and technology.

He affirmed the UAE's belief that IORA have a principal role in the region’s future and hoped that the fourth dialogue would contribute in shaping and promoting initiatives through collective action and achieve the association's goals and aspirations.

Ambassador K V Bhagirath, Secretary-General of IORA, thanked the UAE for hosting this event and appreciated its efforts in promoting regional cooperation within IORA's framework. He also hailed the UAE's commitment as a fundamental player in achieving security and stability in the region.

The UAE will be IORA's Vice-President in the 2017-2019 session during the ministerial meeting to be held in October 2017, and it will be the president of the Association from 2019 to 2021.