IORA Blue Economy Conference

The Oceans accounts for around 75% of the world's surface area and constitute more than 95% of the biosphere providing a substantial portion of the global population with food and livelihoods and are main means of transport for 80% of global trade.

In light of the growing global interest in the Blue Economy, the Australian Foreign Minister the Honorable Julie Bishop, introduced the Blue Economy theme at the 14th  IORA Ministerial Meeting in Perth in October 2014.

The "Blue Economy" is a new comprehensive concept, incorporating the "Ocean Economy", environment and sustainability to provide basic human needs such as potable water, food, jobs and habitable shelter.

The First IORA Ministerial Blue Economy Conference (BEC) aims to act as an ideal platform to bring together Member States and Dialogue Partners of the Indian Ocean Rim Association to promote Blue Economy in the Indian Ocean region.

The First IORA Blue Economy Conference will focus on four priority areas namely:

(i) Fisheries & Aquaculture
(ii) Renewable Ocean Energy
(iii) Seaports & Shipping and
(iv) Seabed Exploration & Minerals.

It is envisaged that the First IORA Blue Economy Conference would be a 2-day event that would include the following:

Wednesday, 2 September 2015
Senior Officials Meeting of the Blue Economy Conference

Thursday, 3 September 2015
Ministerial Meeting of the Blue Economy Conference