♤ The Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) is an inter-governmental organisation which was established on 7 March 1997.

♤ The vision for IORA originated during a visit by late President Nelson Mandela of South Africa to India in 1995, where he said:

“The natural urge of the facts of history and geography should broaden itself to include the

concept of an Indian Ocean Rim for socio-economic co-operation”

♤ his sentiment and rationale underpinned the Indian Ocean Rim Initiative in March 1995, and the creation of the Indian Ocean Rim Association (then known as the Indian Ocean Rim Association for Regional Co-operation), in March 1997.