Indonesian appointed chairman of Indian Ocean association

Indonesia has taken over the rotating chairmanship of the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) from Australia for 2015-2017, the Foreign Ministry said on Thursday.

Benny S. Karnadi, senior official at the Foreign Ministry, will be the chairman of the association.

"This is a golden opportunity for Indonesia. We will propose maritime cooperation to IORA member countries," Benny said. "IORA is important for Indonesia as President Joko Widodo has declared Indonesia must be the world's maritime axes country."

The handover of the chairmanship is scheduled to be done in Padang, the provincial capital of West Sumatra, in a meeting on Oct. 20-23.

As many as 20 IORA member countries will present at the meeting, according to him.

Benny is a former chairman of the committee for the commemoration of the 60th anniversary of Asian-African Conference in Jakarta and Bandung in April.

Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi said the theme in Indonesia's leadership in IORA will be adjusted with its national interest and priority.

IORA was established in March 1997 with 20 member countries, including Australia, Indonesia, United Arab Emirates, Iran, Yemen, Tanzania, Thailand, South Africa and Oman.

The association aims to strengthen regional cooperation and unify governments, business community and academicians of the members in a bid to promote closer cooperation and interaction. Endi