Addressing a Media conference at the Auditorium of the Government Information Department Acting Minister of Development Strategies and International Trade Dr. Harsha de Silva said thatthe conference, which is scheduled to be held on 11-12 October ,2018 at Temple trees is an initiative of Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, and aims to create a platform for Indian Ocean littoral states and major maritime users to discuss issues of mutual interest and concern, and work towards an understanding that benefits all.
The work of the conference is expected to contribute towards safe and secure connectivity whilst promoting greater economic prosperity in the Indian ocean region.
The inaugural address of the conference will be delivered by President Maithripala Sirisena at the Opening plenary on the 11th , while Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe will deliver the keynote address. The UN Secretary-General’s special Envoy for the Ocean, Ambassador Peter Thomson will also address the Plenary.
The inaugural panel titled “Navigating Challenges and Prospects in the Indian ocean: Towards a Shared Understanding” will include key policy makers such as Indian Deputy National Security Advisor Pankaj Saran, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of the US State Department Alice G.Wells, and Director General of the Department of Boundary and Ocean Affairs of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China Yi Xianliang, and Deputy Director General at Department of International Relations and cooperation, south Africa, and chair of committee of senior Officials of IORA, Dr Anil Sooklal.
The speakers and participants will focus their discussions on four thematic areas, namely: The Indian Oceans Economy: The New Global Growth Pole; Life below Water: Reframing the Oceans as Development Spaces; An End to Uncertainty: Safety and Security at Sea; and Reinforcing International Law in the Indian Ocean: UNCLOS and Emerging Issues.
The conference is expected to lead to a multilateral diplomatic conference to be held early next year in Sri Lanka building on the work of this conference and move towards an understanding among littoral states and mojor maritime users that would contribute towards greater peace, security and prosperity in the Indian ocean.
The conference , which is a Track 1.5exercise , is organized by the office of the Prime Minister, Ministry of Foreign Affairs,and the Lakshman Kadirgamar Institute in collaboration with the Global Maritime Crime Programme of United Nations office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC).
Secretary to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Prasad Kariyawasam, Director General of the Government Information Attornry at Law Sudarshana Gunawardena
