Initiated by EU CRIMARIO project, IORIS – the new secure communications platform for information sharing and incident management at sea – provides the essential tool that will enable member countries to set up collaborative working environments to improve the understanding of the maritime domain and coordinate operations when incidents at sea occur. It 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.

To know more on EU CRIMARIO and IORIS, download the following presentations:

– Information sharing activities and achievements by David Nattrass

– What is IORIS by David Nattrass

– Training and capacity building activities and achievements by Olivier Bézier

– IORIS functions step by step by Olivier Bézier on Youtube

Opening speeches and testimonies

– Speech of Ronny Matatiken, deputy director of RCOC

– Speech of Marjaana Sall, Ambassador of the EU Delegation to Mauritius and Seychelles

– Testimony of Nancy Karigithu, Kenya Principal Secretary Shipping and Maritime Affairs 

– Testimony of Jean-Edmond Randrianantenaina, director general RMIFC 

L’article Success of IORIS inauguration in Seychelles est apparu en premier sur Crimario II.

Both Admiral Bonnaventure and Ambassador Hallade participated in the Raisina Dialogue, along with the Diplomatic Adviser to the President of the French Republic, H.E. Mr Jacques Audibert. They underscored that cooperation with India in the Indian Ocean was a priority of the Indo-French strategic partnership: France, which is also an Indian Ocean rim nation through its overseas territories including Reunion Island, considers India to be a vital partner for stability and security in the region. They also recalled the importance that France attaches to respecting international law and the freedom of navigation.

A White Shipping Agreement between France and India was signed on the occasion of this visit. This agreement will enable the exchange of information on maritime traffic as well as enhance maritime domain awareness, particularly in the Indian Ocean. This is an important step forward in the maritime security cooperation between our two countries. Its operational implementation will follow in the forthcoming months. It will be accompanied by a significant strengthening of cooperation between our respective Navies for security and stability in the Indo-Pacific region.

Source: French Embassy in India

Other articles:

India, France sign pact on maritime information sharing in Indian Ocean Region.

L’article Indo-French agreement on maritime information exchange est apparu en premier sur Crimario II.