Australia's Assistant Minister for Foreign Affairs Tim Watts will be in Bangladesh on an official visit on Wednesday to represent his country at the 22nd meeting of the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) Council of Ministers.
"Australia is an active member of IORA, and I am proud to be launching the Australian-funded IORA Blue Carbon Finance Report while in Bangladesh," a media release from the office of Tim Watts read.
As the only ministerial-level forum in the Indian Ocean, IORA plays a pivotal role in helping the region work together to address shared challenges.
“I also look forward to having the opportunity to deepen our engagement with the other 22 member states of IORA and represent Australia’s interests, including a secure, prosperous and inclusive Indian Ocean region that supports independent, sovereign and resilient states.
“In Dhaka, I will also meet regional counterparts, including the Foreign Minister of Bangladesh, Dr Abul Kalam Abdul Momen, to discuss Australia’s constructive engagement across the Indian Ocean,” the release added.
“I look forward to strengthening Australia’s engagement with these important partners.”
The 22nd IORA Council of Ministers meeting will be held in Dhaka on November 24. Bangladesh is the current chair of IORA.
IORA, an inter-governmental organisation, was established on March 7 in 1997 with 23 member countries, including Bangladesh, India, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Maldives, Oman, the United Arab Emirates, South Africa, Australia, French, Iran and Kenya.
