Success of IORIS inauguration in Seychelles

IORIS expresses the cooperative approach that has been developed by the European Union to address piracy and new maritime security challenges faced by the Indian Ocean littoral states such as drugs and arms trafficking, illegal fishing, environmental damages, etc.

During the two-day event , senior officials from Eastern Africa, South-East Asia countries, and international organisations, discovered the potential of the IORIS platform as a sustainable, regionally owned tool, and discussed its future regional governance. Participants also discussed the potential expansion of the IORIS member to include South-East Asia countries. The EU CRIMARIO team presented the training programme and the forthcoming steps for ensuring a concrete operationalisation of IORIS within the Indian Ocean countries. The objective is to meet the challenges of IORIS becoming a truly regional platform owned and managed by the Region.

Whilst hosting the IORIS inauguration, Seychelles government illustrated their commitment in securing the regional maritime domain. The conference was attended by high profile representatives from Seychelles and agencies involved in the maritime security (RCOC, Coast Guard, DRDM, SAF, Port Authority, etc.) introduced by Ronny Matatiken, deputy director of RCOC. The conference also gathered some 60 delegates from 10 IO countries (Comoros, Kenya, Madagascar, Mauritius, Somalia, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Maldives, Sri Lanka), international organisations (African Union, UNODC), European Union agencies (Commission, EU NAVFOR) and diplomatic missions. The organisation of the event was coordinated by the CRIMARIO team and Expertise France, the implementing agency.

The event culminated in the delegates being welcomed on board the French Navy frigate Floreal during its port call in Mahé. Floreal is regularly tasked to contribute to the EU NAVFOR Atalanta operations.

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