1. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, together with the Korea Maritime Institute (KMI) and the Korea Institute of Ocean Science and Technology (KIOST), held the 2^nd ROK-IORA Partnership Seminar at the Paradise Hotel Busan on July 8.

2. The Seminar was held under the theme of “Partnership for Blue Economy to Attain Sustainable Development in the Post-COVID-19 Era” in a hybrid online and offline format. The Seminar brought together the IORA Secretariat and officials of IORA member states* virtually and diplomatic missions of 11 IORA member states** in the ROK in person.

* Australia, Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, Kenya, Malaysia and South Africa    

** UAE, Bangladesh, France, India, Indonesia, Iran, Kenya, Malaysia, Singapore, South Africa and Tanzania

° The Seminar consists of three sessions: (1) Conservation and Sustainable Use of Fisheries Resources, (2) Promoting Sustainable Maritime Transport Connectivity, (3) Realizing the Potential of Blue Economy, during which participants agreed that ROK-IORA cooperation has a great potential in the blue economy area and decided to continue close communication between each other.

3. Deputy Director-General for Asian and Pacific Affairs of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Kim Jang Hyun said in his opening remarks that Korea hopes to contribute to the sustainable development of the Indian Ocean region in the Blue Economy area, and expressed an expectation that the Seminar will serve as an opportunity to promote substantive cooperation between Korea and IORA.

4. In his congratulatory remarks, Ambassador of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to Korea Abdulla Saif Al Nuaimi stressed the importance of Blue Economy in terms of generating employment opportunities and improving food security, and emphasized that development of Blue Economy in the Indian Ocean region should take place under economic policies for sustainable development in the post-COVID-19 era.

5. President of KIOST Kim Woong Seo who co-hosted the seminar said that KIOST is ready to share Korea’s excellent marine science technology and know-how with IORA member states to support their efficient use of marine resources. He also voiced hope to build network with IORA member states and to seek potential Official Development Assistance projects through this seminar.

6. Amid the growing geopolitical significance of the Indian Ocean region, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will continue to build substantial cooperative partnership in the Blue Economy area with IORA, the only regional consultative body covering the Indian Ocean Rim region.