TEHRAN – Iranian capital Tehran hosted a conference on the development of economic relations between the Islamic Republic of Iran and the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA), IRNA reported.

The one-day conference titled "IRAN and IORA: Prospects and Opportunities" was co-chaired by Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister for Economic Diplomacy Mehdi Safari and IORA Secretary General Salman Al Farisi.

The conference was also attended by ambassadors of some member states of this organization as well as economic and academic experts.

Speaking at the event, Safari expressed Iran’s willingness for expanding cooperation with IORA, saying that the Islamic Republic is interested in enhancing activities within the association’s framework.

Referring to the Indian Ocean littoral states’ important role in the global economy, Safari highlighted that IORA is expanding and can play a more prominent role as an international and regional platform.

He described the successes and cooperation in the areas of maritime transportation, risk management, technologies, tourism, and cultural exchanges as well as empowering women as a sign of the association’s efficiency.

As one of the seven largest unions in the world, IORA is on the path towards achieving its goals and needs to expand economic cooperation, Safari added.

Pointing to the importance of IORA for the Islamic Republic of Iran, the official underlined that sanctions and pressures have not hindered Iran from playing its role in this organization properly.

“Iran has expanded its cooperation since membership and was active in the field of investment, scientific exchange and also participated actively in issues related to women, economic, technical and policy making,” he said.

Established in 1997, the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) is a dynamic inter-governmental organization aiming at strengthening regional cooperation and sustainable development within the Indian Ocean region through its 23 member states and nine dialogue partners.

Home to nearly 2.7 billion people, the member states, whose shores are washed by the ocean, are Australia, Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, Kenya, Malaysia, Oman, South Africa, Thailand, and Iran.

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Photo: Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Mehdi Safari (2nd R) and IORA Secretary-General Salman Al Farisi (C)