President Jokowi: IORA Summit Proceed Smoothly, Productively, Constructively

President Jokowi in a press conference at JCC Jakarta, Tuesday (7/3). (Photo: Public Relations Division/Rahmat)

President Joko ‘Jokowi’ Widodo considered that the First Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) Summit, which concluded on Tuesday (7/3), proceeded ‘smoothly, productively, and constructively’.

“World leaders welcome the first IORA Summit,” the President said in a joint press conference with South African President Jacob Zuma and Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull at the Jakarta Convention Center (JCC) on Tuesday (7/3).

According to the President, the Summit is not only to commemorate the 20^th anniversary of IORA, but also serves as a strategic and progressive step from leaders of IORA member countries to take a swift action in facing the current situation and future challenges.

This Summit, the President said, also serves as a milestone to renew commitment of IORA member countries to intensify cooperation among its member countries.

“All the world leaders realize the challenges faced today. All the world leaders realize the potentials that IORA member countries have. All leaders of IORA member countries also realize the importance to safeguard the Indian Ocean that unites IORA member countries,” the President said.

President Jokowi added that the Summit produced the Jakarta Concord, which reinforces the commitment to promote maritime security and safety, cooperation in trade and investment, development and management of sustainable and responsible fisheries, strengthening the management of disaster risks, promoting academic and science cooperation,  as well as promoting cooperation in the tourism and culture fields.

Besides those 6 cooperation, the President further said, leaders of IORA member countries have also agreed to promote cooperation in other fields namely blue economy, women empowerment, democracy, good governance, eradication of corruption, and human rights.

“One of the most important things that become the wish of leaders of IORA member countries is to create the Indian Ocean as a secure and peaceful region,” the President said, adding that, the leaders also have a high commitment to respect international laws, including UNCLOS 1982 as a law that manages the oceans.

President Jokowi affirmed that the secure and peaceful Indian Ocean is the key to embark on cooperation in other fields.

Another thing welcomed by leaders of IORA member countries, the President said, was the IORA Business Summit through which networks and cooperation among businessmen in those countries could be strengthened in the future. (FID/RAH/ES)  (EP/YM/Naster)