Muscat: The 8th Indian Ocean Conference (IOC) is set to commence in Muscat this Sunday. This two-day event is being organized by the Sultanate of Oman, represented by the Foreign Ministry, under the theme “Voyage to New Horizons of Maritime Partnership.”
During a press conference at the Foreign Ministry today, Sheikh Khalifa bin Ali Al Harthy, Undersecretary for Political Affairs, announced that Sayyid Badr bin Hamad Al Busaidi, the Foreign Minister, will inaugurate the conference. The event will see participation from ministers and officials representing 60 countries and international organizations from Indian Ocean nations and those with ties to Oman.
Sheikh Al Harthy emphasized that Oman’s role as the host of this conference highlights its historical and maritime connections within the Indian Ocean. He remarked, "The Omanis have a long-standing tradition of seafaring, having navigated to regions such as China, India, and East Africa for centuries."
He noted that hosting this conference is not an isolated initiative; Oman is one of the founding members of the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA), established in 1997, and has previously hosted numerous conferences focused on maritime issues and the blue economy.
Al Harthy further explained that the conference aims to strengthen cooperation in various economic and security dimensions among Indian Ocean nations, as well as those with vested interests in the region. It underscores Oman’s commitment to enhancing maritime security in the Indian Ocean, supporting sustainable trade, fostering collaborative mechanisms among nations, promoting economic interests, preserving ocean resources, and improving transportation and maritime security capabilities.
The conference is designed to provide participants with insights into the various capabilities of the Sultanate of Oman, particularly in areas such as infrastructure and port facilities, which position Oman as a compelling destination for investment.
Additionally, it was mentioned that the Foreign Minister will engage in bilateral meetings with his counterparts during the conference.
Dr. Ram Madhav, President of the India Foundation, highlighted that this 8th edition of the Indian Ocean Conference is the largest to date, with participation extending beyond just the countries bordering the Indian Ocean, as several Arab and Asian nations will also be involved.
He noted that foreign ministers from 27 countries are scheduled to deliver speeches, sharing their nations' perspectives on shared security challenges and strategies for enhancing maritime collaboration. The primary objective of the conference is to foster partnerships and strengthen cooperation among the diverse participating countries and organizations.
He emphasized the significance of the event, given that the Indian Ocean is bordered by 36 countries with a combined population of 3 billion, and that 70 percent of global maritime trade transits through this region. The conference will tackle pressing issues such as climate change, maritime security, piracy, human trafficking, and disaster response.
This annual international platform seeks to bolster regional cooperation and address the challenges faced by the Indian Ocean region.
The 8th edition of the conference will focus on enhancing maritime partnerships, improving trade connections, supporting sustainable development, addressing maritime security concerns, ensuring freedom of navigation, and leveraging modern technology to improve port security and governance.
