Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen has highlighted the implementation of the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) Development Agency-Dhaka Development Initiative (IORDA-DDI) to promote regional integration, economic and sustainable development in the region.

The initiative by IORA chair Bangladesh aims to establish an IORA development agency to facilitate tangible national or regional-level developmental projects.

Masud Bin Momen was delivering the concluding remarks on the final day of the two-day 12th bi-annual meeting of the Committee of the Senior Officials (CSO) of IORA held in Cox's Bazar Friday.

Around 50 delegates from 21 IORA members attended the meeting. Masud Bin Momen led the Bangladesh delegation.

The foreign secretary emphasised the role of IORA in promoting sustainable growth and balanced development for regional and global development and security.

He urged the IORA members to formulate and implement projects for economic cooperation relating to trade facilitation and liberalisation, promotion of investment, and scientific and technological exchanges.

Masud Bin Momen underscored the significance of developing ocean economies that are sustainable, equitable and resilient. Mentioning the blue recovery as integral to this process, he urged all to prioritise this opportunity for a blue stimulus.

The meeting discussed the progress made to date under the six priority areas and two cross-cutting and financial issues of the association.

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Member states also discussed preparations for upcoming events and meetings of IORA's institutional mechanisms as well as the association's engagement with its international partners and special programmes.

Also, the meeting provided an opportunity for them to discuss preparations for future IORA events and meetings, taking into consideration the impact of Covid in the past two years.

Masud Bin Momen invited all to join the next COS and Council of Ministers' meetings in November this year, to be hosted by Bangladesh as chair.