Vice President Faisal Naseem has said that preserving peace and security in the Indian Ocean region is a key foreign policy priority for President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih. Speaking at the sixth Indian Ocean Conference (IOC) in Dhaka, Bangladesh on Friday, Faisal stated that a resilient and sustainable future requires proactive measures that promote transformation.
The Vice President highlighted that the Indian Ocean Region faces obstacles such as terrorism, human trafficking, drug smuggling, and illegal fishing, leaving low-lying coastal settlements vulnerable to climate pressures. He emphasised that it is the responsibility of all nations to ensure peace, economic prosperity, environmental protection, and international rules in the region.
The IOC 2023, held under the theme “Peace, Prosperity, and Partnership for a Resilient Future,” serves as a platform for building partnerships based on mutual respect and trust to promote sustainability and stability in the Indian Ocean region.
Faisal called on the participants to work together through a rules-based approach to resolve outstanding issues and promote prosperity. The Indian Ocean Region is home to some of the world’s fastest-growing civilisations. It serves as a hub for trade with the Middle East, Africa, East Asia, Europe, and the Americas.
“Managing risks and uncertainty involves adaptive management, learning, innovation, and leadership. Let us work together to build a resilient future for the Indian Ocean region,” Faisal said.
