With the theme of “Peace, Prosperity and Partnership for a Resilient Future", the ‘6th Indian Ocean Conference (IOC) 2023’ began in the capital Dhaka. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina inaugurated the conference at a city hotel on Friday evening.
Home to the most promising economies, the most populous lands, and the most vulnerable islands, the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) is a testimony to the multifaceted challenges impacting governance in the 21st century. With a vast reserve of natural resources and supply chain trade routes, the IOR has become an integral part of global strategic thinking.
Official delegations led by heads of states or governments, deputy heads; cabinet ministers, deputy ministers and senior officials from 27 countries and multilateral organisations are taking part in the conference that will end today (Saturday). We extend our heartiest congratulations to them who are joining the auspicious event.
It is expected that the conference would bring together a luminary gathering of key stakeholders to chart the roadmap for strengthening the IOR. According to the concept note of the conference, Bangladesh and India are committed to ensuring the rise of a “free, open, inclusive and rules based” IOR.
Rise of a peaceful IOR on the principles
of a rules-based order will chart a new
agenda for prosperity and greater
partnership in the region and beyond
The global order is rapidly evolving, power axis is shifting, and the complacency of the past is making way for greater confidence in future, the document reads. The IOR has emerged as a microcosm of partnerships, collaborations, bilateral and multilateral dependence.
Bangladesh and India are playing major in order to make the IOR more effective and strengthened. Many opportunities are now opening up for countries to collaborate in multiple formats on carbon planning and green financing, navigating technological hegemony, the development of the blue economy, the rise of alternate forms of financing, and collaboration on public healthcare and education.
The IOC was started in 2016 and in the last six years it has emerged as the “flagship consultative forum” for countries in the region on regional affairs. With a vision towards mutual growth, prosperity and strengthening of the international community, this conference will bring together stakeholder nations to discuss and deliberate on the theme of “Peace, Prosperity, and Partnership” for a resilient future.
Rise of a peaceful IOR on the principles of a rules-based order will chart a new agenda for prosperity and greater partnership in the region and beyond. We express the hope that all the member countries of IOR could immensely exploit their untapped potential to promote their speedy economic growth.
We have many difficulties in our path but we will surely overcome those through our collaborative efforts. We are also wishing the IOC a grand success.
