International Relations and Co-operation Deputy Minister Nomaindiya Mfeketo will lead the South African delegation to the 16th Council of Ministers Meeting of the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) beginning in Bali, Indonesia, on Thursday.

The meeting, which will be attended by Foreign Ministers from IORA Member States, as well as representatives from IORA dialogue partner countries, will deliberate on important matters and developments within the Indian Ocean Rim Association.

IORA is a Charter-based regional multilateral organization that is fraternal in nature and driven by consensus. The Association is essentially an economic co-operative community of twenty one (21) littoral and island States around the Indian Ocean, and seven Dialogue Partners, the Department of International Relations and Co-operation said in a statement here Tuesday.

South Africa views the IORA as the pre-eminent regional organization linking Africa, the Middle East and Asia via the Indian Ocean.

The department said the association is growing in stature and prominence, with South Africa serving currently as the association’s vice-chair, and will assume the Chair from October 2017 to October 2019.

Source: Nam News Network