INDIAN OCEAN REGION (IOR)

Current Context: The 48th Annual Conference on Oceans Law & Policy (COLP48) was hosted for the first time in the Indian subcontinent, with participation from governments, international agencies, and maritime experts.

 ABOUT COLP48

• Theme: Developing World Approaches to Ocean Governance: Perspectives from the Indian Ocean Rim
• Organisers:
  • Stockton Center for International Law (U.S. Naval War College)
  • Gujarat Maritime University
  • Supported by India’s Ministry of Earth Sciences
  • Traditionally organised by Center for Oceans Law & Policy, University of Virginia (USA)

 INDIA’S 5 PRIORITY AREAS FOR OCEAN GOVERNANCE

• Ensure livelihood & food security through sustainable fisheries.
• Deepen regional cooperation among Indian Ocean Rim nations based on South-South solidarity.
• Blend traditional knowledge and participatory governance with modern science.
• Promote climate resilience & ecosystem-based approaches for biodiversity protection.
• Mobilise innovative finance & build research and technology capacity.

 ABOUT INDIAN OCEAN

• Covers ~1/5th of world ocean area.
• Boundaries:
  • North: Iran, Pakistan, India, Bangladesh
  • East: Malay Peninsula, Sunda Islands (Indonesia), Australia
  • South: Southern Ocean
  • West: Africa, Arabian Peninsula