Tanzania marks IORA’s 29th anniversary,affirms sustainable use of ocean resources

DODOMA: TANZANIA has joined other member states in commemorating the 29th anniversary of the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA), reaffirming its commitment to strengthening cooperation in the sustainable utilisation of Indian Ocean resources.

The regional bloc was established on March 7, 1997, to promote economic cooperation among countries bordering the Indian Ocean.

The 23 member states are Australia, Bangladesh, Comoros, France, India, Indonesia, Iran, Kenya, Madagascar, Malaysia, Maldives, Mauritius, Mozambique, Oman, Seychelles, Singapore, Somalia, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, Thailand, the United Arab Emirates and Yemen.

IORA also works with 12 dialogue partners, namely China, Egypt, the European Union, Germany, Italy, Japan, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Türkiye, the Republic of Korea, the United Kingdom and the United States of America.

India is the current chair of the organisation for the 2025–2027 period, having taken over from Sri Lanka on November 12, 2025. Australia previously chaired the organisation between 2013 and 2015.

Currently, the organisation brings together 23 member states and 12 dialogue partners, providing an important platform for cooperation in areas such as maritime safety and security, blue economy development, trade and investment, fisheries management, tourism, disaster management, women’s economic empowerment, as well as science and technology.

To commemorate the anniversary, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation organised activities in Dodoma on Saturday including a jogging event and tree planting exercise aimed at promoting environmental conservation and community wellbeing.

The activities were held under this year’s theme, “IORA Improves Lives.”

Speaking at  the event, Deputy Permanent Secretary in the Vice-President’s Office (Union and Environment), Ambassador Baraka Luvanda, said Deputy Permanent Secretary in the Vice-President’s Office (Union and Environment), Ambassador Baraka Luvanda, said for more than two decades the organisation has played an important role in promoting development among member states through sustainable use of ocean resources.

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He noted that Tanzania, as one of the 15 founding member states, recognises the Indian Ocean as a key driver of economic and social development.

Ambassador Luvanda said the government continues to strengthen the blue economy by improving enabling infrastructure such as ports, promoting research and innovation and enhancing collaboration with regional and international partners.

“These efforts aim to ensure that Indian Ocean resources are protected and utilised sustainably for the benefit of present and future generations,” he said

He added that regional cooperation under IORA has contributed to progress in trade, marine resource management, maritime transport safety and blue economy development, while also strengthening joint efforts to address challenges such as climate change and environmental degradation.

Ambassador Luvanda said the activities organised to mark the anniversary were designed to directly contribute to improving people’s lives in line with the theme.

He explained that jogging encourages communities to develop a culture of regular physical exercise to improve health and wellbeing.

“Good health is the foundation of community and national development,” he said.

He added that tree planting plays a crucial role in environmental conservation, including addressing the impacts of climate change, protecting water sources, improving air quality and conserving biodiversity.

According to him, the initiative also supports implementation of Pillar Three of the National Development Vision 2050, which focuses on environmental conservation and climate change resilience, as well as the national tree-planting campaign known as “Green 27.”.

Ambassador Luvanda said the exercise also aligns with the Foreign Policy of 2001 (2024 Edition), particularly in addressing cross-cutting issues such as environmental protection and climate change.

He noted that the initiative supports the vision of President Samia Suluhu Hassan, who has emphasised tree planting as an important measure in addressing climate change and safeguarding the wellbeing of citizens and the nation.

Ambassador Luvanda urged Tanzanians to support environmental conservation initiatives and regional cooperation to ensure natural resources remain a source of prosperity, peace and sustainable development.