1. What is IOR-ARC?
  2. Members of Indian Ocean Rim?
  3. Why IOA-ARC is important?
  4. Gurgaon Communiqué /Declaration (2012)
  5. 6- Priority areas
  6. What is blue economy?
  7. Mock questions

What is IOR-ARC?

  • Indian Ocean Rim Association for Regional Cooperation
  • Established in 1997

Importance of Indian Ocean rim?

  • Indian Ocean is vital for the transportation of oil and conduct of other forms of global trade.
  • >97 per cent of India’s international trade by volume passes through Indian Ocean.
  • Indian Ocean rim region = rich precious minerals, metals and other natural resources, marine resources and energy.

Members of Indian Ocean Rim association?

map Indian ocean rim association

20 full time Members 6 Dialogue partners
  1. Australia
  2. Bangladesh
  3. India
  4. Indonesia
  5. Iran
  6. Kenya
  7. Malaysia
  8. Madagascar
  9. Mauritius
  10. Mozambique
  11. Oman
  12. Seychelles
  13. Singapore
  14. South Africa
  15. Sri Lanka
  16. Tanzania
  17. Thailand
  18. UAE
  19. Yemen.
  20. Comoros (latest added in 2012)
  1. China
  2. Egypt
  3. France
  4. Japan
  5. UK
  6. USA (latest added 2012)
  • China is not a “member”, just dialogue partner. Although they’re interested in becoming full time member.
  • Some books mention Ocean Rim got only 19 members=outdated information. Because Comoros was recently added as 20th member.

Objectives

  1. Economy
  • We want cooperation( =coordinate the “Stand” in WTO, Kyoto etc.)
  • Liberalize trade (=reduce customs duty)
  • Increase flow of goods, services, investment, and technology.
  1. Global issues
  • Take common positions in the international fora on issues of mutual interest (=Coordinate “stand” in UN, G20, Kyoto etc.)
  1. Human resources
  • coordinate Science-Tech research (via specialized universities, institutes of member countries)
  • cultural exchange programs and other boring stuff.

Why IOA-ARC is important?

  • Because it was established in 1997. Therefore, 2012 marks 15th anniversary year.
  • Whenever something/somebody’s birth/death anniversary is in ‘multiple’ of five, it is important for UPSC!
  • Secondly, their 12th summit was held in Gurgaon, India in Nov.2012.

Gurgaon Communiqué /Declaration (2012)

  • When a summit/conference is over, the official statement is issued that “we’ve agreed to do this, this and this…)
  • Such press statement is called Communiqué.
  • In Gurgaon summit, member nations agreed to work on following 6 priority areas

Indian Ocean rim cooperation areas

6- Priority areas
Area
  1. maritime security -piracy
  • Freedom of navigation in Indian Ocean
  • Safety and security of sea lanes in Indian ocean
  • Share best practices in coastal security
  1. disaster reduction
  • Coordination search and rescue operation
  • Hold workshop to share experience on disaster  Management of cyclones, monsoon floods etc
  • Oil spills: joint training
  1. trade-investment
  • Working group on trade-investment
  • Will hold a workshop customs (duty) harmonization and trade policy
  • Closer interaction with other regional org. Such as African union
  • Strive for Blue-economy
  1. fisheries  Management
  • Regulation of fishing activates in coast waters
  • Harvest fish stocks in sustainable manner (=no fishing during breeding season etc.)
  • Combating illegal fishing and damaging fishing techniques. (e.g. Use of very fine nets)
  1. S&T-academic cooperation
  • Between universities and academies of member-states
  • Cross-fertilization of ideas between the Academic and Business Forums
  1. tourism-cultural exchanges
 Lolz

They also agreed that

  • We’ll continue economic cooperation @regional level
  • We’ll aim for sustained growth + balanced Development
  • We’are adding Comoros added as 20th member
  • We’are adding USA as our 6th dialogue partner
  • We’ll hold next meeting in Australia in 2013.

What is blue economy?

  • Blue Economy concept emerged at Rio+20 Conference.
  • seeks to integrate ocean-environment-ecology issues into economic frameworks. Sustainable use of marine and coastal resources.
  • Reducing over-fishing.
  • Stop destructive fishing practices.
  • Stop illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing.
  • Protect coral reefs.
  • Combat climate change.
  • Combat ocean acidification.

Vocabulary

  • Littoral= relating to a coastal or shore region
  • e.g. IOR-ARC is an organization of littoral countries in Indian ocean.

Mock questions

Q1. Which of the following is correct about Indian Ocean Rim association (IOA-ARC)?

  1. It has member-states from two continents only: Asia and Africa.
  2. 12th summit of IOA-ARC was held at New Delhi, India.
  3. Iran is not a member of Indian Ocean rim association.
  1. Only 3
  2. Only 1 and 2
  3. Onlly 1 and 3
  4. None of them.

Q2.find Wrong match

  1. Comoros
 Island nation in Pacific ocean
  1. Mozambique Channel
 Between Madagascar and Mozambique
  1. Oman
 Muscat
  1. Yemen
 Sana

Q3. Correct order of islands from North to South in the atlas

  1. Seychelles, Comoros, Madagascar
  2. Madagascar, Comoros, Seychelles
  3. Comoros, Seychelles, Madagascar
  4. None of above.

Q4. Which of the following is correct about Blue Economy?

  1. It is a term associated with Socialist countries, having features of both red (communist) and green (capitalist) economies.
  2. It is a term associated with Economic unions and track blocs such as EU, NAFTA etc.
  3. It is a term associated with protection and sustainable use of maritime resources.
  4. None of above.

Descriptive

  1. Indian Ocean Rim Association for Regional Cooperation (5 marks)
  2. Suggest measures to combat ocean acidification and coral reefs destruction. What are the measures initiated by Government in this regard?(10m)
  3. Discuss the 12th summit of Indian Ocean Rim association (12m).