Sri Lanka pledges to lead IORA as its new Chair with "transparency, inclusivity, and ambition"

In a powerful opening address to the 24th Council of Ministers Meeting of the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA), Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment & Tourism, Vijitha Herath, called on member states to embrace collective responsibility and take urgent action to preserve the Indian Ocean's rich resources and ensure regional prosperity.

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Delivering the welcome address as the newly-appointed Chair of IORA, Minister Herath said that the Indian Ocean is far more than a geographical entity — it is a shared heritage and a critical artery of global trade and biodiversity. “It supports the livelihoods of billions and connects our people, our economies, and our aspirations,” he told a distinguished gathering of ministers, diplomats, and high-level officials from across the region.

Herath warned that the Indian Ocean now stands at a crossroads, threatened by climate change, marine pollution, unsustainable exploitation of natural resources, and rising geopolitical tensions. “These are not future threats — they are current realities,” he said, urging member states to respond with a united and decisive front.