REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- As part of preparations for an Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) meeting, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in cooperation with Andalas University in Padang, West Sumatra, held an IORA Outreach Program (IOP) on June 4 and 5.

The IOP was carried out in Padang, which has been officially named as the host of a series of IORA meetings, the ministry said in a press statement released on Saturday.

The activity was warmly welcomed by the Padang city government, the West Sumatra provincial government and academics from various institutes of higher learning, including Andalas University, Riau University and Brawijaya University.

In his address to the meeting, Governor of West Sumatra Irwan Prayitno stated that IORA can contribute to the development of the western parts of Sumatra, which lag behind as compared to the eastern parts of the island.

"The activity may also serve as a warm-up to make preparations for a series of IORA meetings in Padang city," he pointed out.

Director of Intraregional Cooperation for the Asia-Pacific and Africa of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Benyamin Carnadi noted that the IOP was part of efforts to popularize Indonesia's diplomatic activities among the people.

"This is in line with the spirit of total diplomacy in which all parties are involved," he remarked.

Activities of the program carried out in the campus of Andalas University included a seminar, a session simulation, an essay writing contest, and a diplomatic dinner.

IORA is regional cooperation among countries in the Indian Ocean that focuses on six priority fields. These include maritime security and safety, trade and investment facilities, fishery management, disaster risk management, academic and science and technology cooperation, and tourism and cultural exchange.

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