The Indian Ocean Rim Association was established in ______.
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: B
Explanation
The correct answer is Option 2: 1997.
Explanation:
The Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) was established on March 7, 1997.
Background: The concept was first envisioned by former South African President Nelson Mandela during his visit to India in 1995. It was previously known as the 'Indian Ocean Rim Initiative' and the 'Indian Ocean Rim Association for Regional Cooperation' (IOR-ARC).
Objective: To strengthen regional cooperation, sustainable development, and economic ties among the countries of the Indian Ocean region.
Headquarters: Its Secretariat is located in Ebene, Mauritius.
Key Points regarding IORA (from an examination perspective):
Membership: Currently, it comprises 23 member states and 12 Dialogue Partners. All these countries share a coastline with the Indian Ocean.
Priority Areas: Maritime safety and security, trade and investment facilitation, fisheries management, disaster risk management, and tourism.
India's Role: India is one of the founding members of IORA and plays a very active role within the organization due to its strategic location in the Indian Ocean region.
Motto: 'Bringing together the shores of the Indian Ocean.'
Additional Information (Other Important Organizations):
| Organization | Year of Establishment | Headquarters |
|---|---|---|
| SAARC | 1985 | Kathmandu, Nepal |
| BIMSTEC | 1997 | Dhaka, Bangladesh |
| ASEAN | 1967 | Jakarta, Indonesia |
| BRICS | 2006 (first summit: 2009) | Shanghai, China. |
Important Questions for Upcoming Examinations:
Question: In which country is the IORA Secretariat located?
Answer: Mauritius.
Question: Who first proposed the idea for the establishment of IORA?
Answer: Nelson Mandela. Question: How many member countries are currently in the IORA?
Answer: 23 members.