BIMSTEC, IORA Sign MoU to Address Security and Dev Challenges

The Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) and the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to collaborate on addressing regional security and development challenges. The agreement, formalized during the 6th BIMSTEC Summit in Bangkok on April 4, aims to strengthen cooperation between the two organizations.

BIMSTEC Secretary General Indra Mani Pandey and IORA Secretary General Sanjiv Ranjan signed the MoU on behalf of their respective organizations, marking a significant step toward deeper inter-regional cooperation. The MoU was widely welcomed by BIMSTEC leaders, who emphasized its potential to enhance collaboration in several key areas.

The MoU outlines future partnerships between BIMSTEC and IORA in sectors such as trade and investment, environmental sustainability, maritime security and connectivity, science and technology, as well as people-to-people exchanges, tourism, and fisheries management. Additionally, it covers the blue economy, ocean management, and climate change, which are critical priorities for both organizations.

BIMSTEC, comprising seven countries in the Bay of Bengal region—Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Thailand—focuses on regional cooperation across seven broad sectors, including agriculture, connectivity, climate change, security, and trade. It also covers sub-sectors like blue economy, energy, disaster management, fisheries, health, and human resource development.

IORA, established in 1997, represents 23 member states and 12 dialogue partners, with a collective population of 2.7 billion people. The association plays a key role in enhancing global trade and regional stability in the Indian Ocean region, which is vital for the movement of goods, including bulk cargo, oil shipments, and container traffic. IORA's work spans maritime safety, disaster risk management, economic empowerment, and cooperation in areas like tourism, fisheries, and the blue economy.

The signing of this MoU marks a promising new chapter in fostering collaboration for the sustainable development and security of both the Bay of Bengal and Indian Ocean regions.