What is the role of the Indian Ocean Commission (IOC) in regional maritime security?
The Indian Ocean Commission (IOC) has played a crucial role in developing the regional maritime security architecture. With support from the European Union, the IOC has consolidated its progress by facilitating the signing of two regional agreements. It prepared countries in advance to strengthen confidence, collaboration, and the national-level organization of institutions involved in State action at sea.
This architecture is built around two regional centers: the first focuses on the exchange and sharing of maritime information, and the second on coordinating operational responses at sea. They are based in Madagascar and the Seychelles respectively. In this framework, international liaison officers from the signatory countries of the two agreements have been deployed to these regional centers, while national centers have been established in parallel to serve as national-level interfaces.
What are the ain maritime challenges in the southern Indian Ocean?
The southern Indian Ocean region initially faced piracy, which was the main threat. Today, other major challenges have emerged: illegal fishing, drug trafficking, arms trafficking, human trafficking, and marine pollution — all of which jeopardize the economy, regional stability, and the environment.
What is the added value of the IORIS platform in the regional system?
The region lags behind in maritime domain awareness (MDA) tools and systems. IORIS, like other tools, helps bridge this gap. National and regional centers use it regularly for joint operations, especially for exchanging and sharing information during regional or national operations or exercises. However, formal adoption of the tool by States is still pending.
How was IORIS used during the recent DCOC REGEX exercise?
The IOC also took part in this exercise. It already has an operational ARSM. DCOC/JA mobilized countries for the exercise, where IORIS was used to facilitate exchanges between institutions and centers at both national and regional levels.
What do you suggest to do to optimize the use of IORIS in the region?
• Strengthen human and material capacities.
• Raise awareness among countries, especially at the decision-making level.
• Convince all institutions of the importance and necessity of using IORIS.
Can you tell us more about the cooperation between the IOC and EU CRIMARIO project?
Collaboration began with the creation of the CRIMARIO I project. The IOC actively supported Expertise France for CRIMARIO in the region. Several joint exercises were organized, particularly on marine pollution during SSA, with IORIS as the exchange platform. A total of six regional exercises were held in partnership with CRIMARIO, with support from key figures such as Mr. Olivier Bézier and Mr. Patrick RAKOTONDRAVAO. On average, two exercises are organized per year: 3 SAR exercises, 2 NARCOPS, 1 RECOPORTS, 1 on protected species trafficking, and the recent integration of DCOC/JA. A new exercise is planned for early next year.