Latest news with #MaritimePartnership
Zawya
18-02-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Oman Convention & Exhibition Centre hosts major diplomatic gathering for Indian Ocean region
Muscat – The Oman Convention & Exhibition Centre (OCEC) proudly hosted the 8th Indian Ocean Conference on 16–17 March, under the theme 'A Journey Towards New Horizons of Maritime Partnership.' The multilateral conference was organised by Oman's Foreign Ministry in collaboration with the India Foundation and supported by the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies in Singapore. For the occasion, OCEC's grand ballroom was transformed into a dynamic diplomatic platform, facilitating high-level discussions on the challenges facing Indian Ocean nations and strategies to enhance regional cooperation in maritime, economic, and security affairs. Foreign ministers from 27 countries, along with key regional stakeholders, convened for the two-day summit, which opened with remarks from Oman's Foreign Minister Sayyid Badr bin Hamad Al Busaidi, India's External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar, and Singapore's Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr. Vivian Balakrishnan. Eng. Said Al Shanfari, CEO of OCEC, expressed his pride in hosting such a significant diplomatic event: "Our venue was designed to be a space where the future of our country and region takes shape. Hosting events of this scale and importance is at the heart of what we do, creating lasting impact for Oman and beyond. We look forward to welcoming more global events at OCEC, supported by our government, private sector, and local associations." This marks the second major international event hosted at OCEC in 2025, following the International Science Council's 3rd General Assembly in January. The venue is now preparing for the Ramadan period with a new offering for corporate and public iftars under the Layali Al Irfan campaign, while also gearing up to welcome more global gatherings in the coming months. For further information about the event, please visit Oman's Foreign Affairs ministry website:
Observer
16-02-2025
- Business
- Observer
Oman sees all countries as friends: Sayyid Badr at IOC2025
The 8th edition of the IOC began in Muscat today (February 16-17 ) under the theme 'Voyage to New Horizons of Maritime Partnership.' This edition will highlight the importance of inclusivity and building new partnerships in the maritime sector and is expected to host participants from over 60 countries and international organizations, reflecting the region's strategic importance and the need for collaborative solutions. Sayyid Badr bin Hamad Albusaidi, Foreign Minister, is a member of the presidium committee for the conference, underscoring Oman's leadership role in this initiative. "Our approach in Oman helps us solve problems and difficulties sustainably, and history has shown that this approach is constructive and successful. For thousands of years, Oman has been a crossing point for countries and oceans and a bridge for the exchange of cultures and trade. The Sultanate of Oman sees all countries as friends and is committed to promoting integration and inclusiveness at the Indian Ocean level. There are great challenges, not all countries have a peaceful outlook. There may be strong waves pushing us in different directions, but our goal is to achieve peace." The Indian Ocean Conference (IOC) is an annual international platform dedicated to promoting regional cooperation and addressing challenges in the Indian Ocean region. It brings together, heads of government, senior officials, private sector representatives, scholars, and experts to discuss issues of mutual concern, including maritime security, economic development, environmental sustainability, and geopolitics. The event fosters dialogue and collaboration among countries bordering the Indian Ocean, as well as global powers with strategic interests in the region. Since its establishment in 2016, the IOC has served as a significant forum for fostering dialogue and cooperation. Countries such as India, Sri Lanka, Australia, Oman, and Singapore have played central roles in its proceedings. The conference addresses traditional security concerns, such as naval power and territorial disputes, alongside emerging challenges like climate change, natural disasters, and economic disruptions. The discussions will focus on promoting regional cooperation, enhancing maritime security, amplifying the voice of the Global South, and tackling major challenges in the maritime sector. The conference will explore strategies to improve trade corridors, ensure freedom of navigation, foster environmental sustainability, and leverage technological advancements for port security and governance. Participants will have opportunities for bilateral and multilateral engagements to strengthen relationships and identify new areas of collaboration.
Observer
15-02-2025
- Business
- Observer
8th Indian Ocean Conference begins tomorrow
The 8th edition of the IOC will take place in Muscat tomorrow (February 16-17 )under the theme 'Voyage to New Horizons of Maritime Partnership.' This edition will highlight the importance of inclusivity and building new partnerships in the maritime sector and is expected to host participants from over 60 countries and international organizations, reflecting the region's strategic importance and the need for collaborative solutions. Sayyid Badr bin Hamad Albusaidi, Foreign Minister, is a member of the presidium committee for the conference, underscoring Oman's leadership role in this initiative. The Indian Ocean Conference (IOC) is an annual international platform dedicated to promoting regional cooperation and addressing challenges in the Indian Ocean region. It brings together, heads of government, senior officials, private sector representatives, scholars, and experts to discuss issues of mutual concern, including maritime security, economic development, environmental sustainability, and geopolitics. The event fosters dialogue and collaboration among countries bordering the Indian Ocean, as well as global powers with strategic interests in the region. Since its establishment in 2016, the IOC has served as a significant forum for fostering dialogue and cooperation. Countries such as India, Sri Lanka, Australia, Oman, and Singapore have played central roles in its proceedings. The conference addresses traditional security concerns, such as naval power and territorial disputes, alongside emerging challenges like climate change, natural disasters, and economic disruptions. The discussions will focus on promoting regional cooperation, enhancing maritime security, amplifying the voice of the Global South, and tackling major challenges in the maritime sector. The conference will explore strategies to improve trade corridors, ensure freedom of navigation, foster environmental sustainability, and leverage technological advancements for port security and governance. Participants will have opportunities for bilateral and multilateral engagements to strengthen relationships and identify new areas of collaboration.
Times of Oman
12-02-2025
- Business
- Times of Oman
Indian Ocean Conference to begin in Muscat on Sunday
Muscat: Activities of 8th Indian Ocean Conference (IOC) will begin in Muscat this Sunday. The two-day event is hosted by the Sultanate of Oman, represented by the Foreign Ministry, under the theme 'Voyage to New Horizons of Maritime Partnership'. In a press conference held at the Foreign Ministry today, Sheikh Khalifa bin Ali Al Harthy, Undersecretary of the Foreign Ministry for Political Affairs said that Sayyid Badr bin Hamad Al Busaidi, Foreign Minister will open the conference, with the participation of ministers and officials representing 60 countries and international organizations from the countries bordering the Indian Ocean and countries that have a relationship with the Sultanate of Oman. He explained that the Sultanate of Oman's host of this conference reflects its history and maritime relationship through the Indian Ocean. He added in this context: "As you know, the Omanis were sailors who sailed the seas for hundreds of years, reaching China, India and East Africa'. He affirmed that the Sultanate of Oman's host of this conference is not the first initiative, but rather it is one of the founding countries of the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA), which was established in 1997, and has also hosted many conferences related to the seas and the blue economy. Al Harthy pointed out that the aim of this conference is to enhance cooperation in various economic and security aspects between the countries bordering the Indian Ocean, in addition to the countries that have interests in this ocean. It also reflects the interest of the Sultanate of Oman in enhancing maritime security in the Indian Ocean, its support for sustainable trade, developing cooperation mechanisms among countries, enhancing economic interests, sustaining ocean resources, and improving transportation and maritime security capabilities, added Sheikh Al Harthy. He further noted that the conference also aims to familiarize the participants with the capabilities enjoyed by the Sultanate of Oman in various aspects, including infrastructure and ports, which enhance Oman as an attractive investment destination. He added that bilateral meetings will be held on the sidelines of the conference between the Foreign Minister and his counterparts. On his turn, Dr. Ram Madhav, President of the India Foundation, affirmed that the 8th edition of the Indian Ocean Conference is the largest compared to previous ones, and participation will not be limited to countries bordering the Indian Ocean only as some Arab and Asian countries will participate in the event. He pointed out that the foreign ministers of 27 countries will deliver speeches during the conference, presenting their countries' visions on common security challenges and ways to enhance maritime partnerships. He affirmed that the main goal of the conference is to establish partnerships and develop cooperation between the various participating countries and organizations. He explained that the importance of this event lies in the fact that the Indian Ocean overlooks 36 countries with a population of 3 billion, and that 70 percent of maritime trade passes through this ocean. He noted that the event will address many urgent issues such as climate change, maritime security, piracy, human trafficking, and disaster relief. The conference is an annual international platform that aims to enhance regional cooperation and address challenges facing the Indian Ocean region. The 8th edition of the conference will discuss means of strengthening maritime partnerships, improving trade links, backing sustainable development and issues related to maritime security, ensuring freedom of navigation and utilizing modern technology to enhance port security and governance.
