More than 90 senior officials and representatives from 53 agencies across the Indo-Pacific region, together with other regional actors are convening in Bali on 24-25 May 2023 to discuss about the future governance structure of the Indo-Pacific Regional Information Sharing (IORIS) platform. IORIS is designed to facilitate coordination and exchange of information among agencies and to respond effectively to maritime security threats and support sustainable fisheries.
Over the two days, participants will consider how to move towards the common management of the system, to facilitate coherent and efficient use for all IORIS users, whilst also ensuring for the long-term implementation of the platform. This will start with the establishment of the first IORIS Steering Committee in Bali, which will lead to creating a number of supporting working groups.
Once established, the IORIS regional governance will set strategic guidance on the future management, development, administration, and technical support of the IORIS platform itself, further enhancing information exchange and crisis/incident management, strengthening inter-agency cooperation in maritime surveillance, including in supporting sustainable fisheries.
The event is organised by the European Union (EU) in collaboration with Indonesian Coordinating Ministry for Maritime Affairs and Investment; and implemented by CRIMARIO II, an EU-funded maritime capacity building project.
Opening the event, the EU Ambassador to Indonesia and Brunei Darussalam, H.E. Vincent Piket underlined: “This meeting co-organised by the EU, CRIMARIO and the Indonesian Coordinating Ministry for Maritime Affairs and Investment is a great example of our engagement in the Indo-Pacific region: bringing Asian, African, American and European partners together on a joint platform for collaborating on maritime safety and security. This is the essence of the EU’s Strategy for Cooperation in the Indo-Pacific.
In the Indo-Pacific, Indonesia is an important partner for the EU, with cooperation spanning trade, climate action and regional security. Last year, the EU and Indonesia conducted a joint Naval exercise in the framework of the Atalanta operation in the north-western Indian Ocean. Beyond the maritime domain, we cooperate on counterterrorism, cyber and crisis management. With today’s meeting we take both the bilateral and the multilateral partnerships another step further.”
In his opening remarks Mr. Helyus Komar, Acting Director for Maritime Security and Resilience of the Indonesian Coordinating Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Investment, underlined:
“Technology in maritime and connectivity will boost dynamic routing, considering weather, currents and traffic, and knowing which is the most efficient and safe route. It will power the innovations of the maritime security now and into the future.
Appreciation to the IORIS team for hosting the comprehensive training program for our ministries and agencies personnel. During these trainings, we have noted that IORIS could potentially contribute to addressing maritime security challenges by offering a platform for information sharing.”
Martin Cauchi-Inglott, CRIMARIO project director, said:
“This first historic meeting is one where authorities and agencies from like-minded Indo-Pacific countries are coming together to define how a shared information-exchange platform can be used to address common threats and challenges. This because safer and more secure seas, are vital for global trade, and therefore in the interest of all!”