The Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) is not one of the most well known international regional groupings. But it is of growing significance. The 20 countries who flank the world’s third largest ocean represent more than a quarter of the world’s population, and include African, Arab and Asian nations. Around half the world’s cargo ships and two thirds of oil shipments sail through the Indian Ocean. 
So it is not surprising that Australia, the current chair of IORA, takes the organization very seriously. Foreign Minister Julie Bishop chaired the annual Council meeting of IORA ministers this week in her home town of Perth, “Australia’s Indian Ocean Rim capital” as she described it. The grouping is clearly dear to her heart; she said that she had already visited half of the IORA member states (including the IORA Secretariat in Mauritius) and expected to visit the rest during 2015.
The region matters to Britain too: we are one of six Dialogue Partner countries which also participate in these meetings. I attended, together with Richard Morris, Head of the FCO’s Pacific Department, alongside Ministers and senior officials from around the region.
A key theme of this year’s gathering was the “Blue Economy” – the commercial opportunities arising from the Indian Ocean. Ministers had a discussion with business representatives from several regional countries, including Woodside CEO Peter Coleman, about how to set the right conditions for investment. Alongside the Ministerial meeting, there were a number of business events, in which the UK Trade & Investment team from our Perth consulate participated.