The Vice-President of the Republic, Mr Vincent Meriton leaves Seychelles this evening for Jakarta, Indonesia where he will be representing President Danny Faure at the ‘Leaders Summit of the Indian Ocean Rim Association, IORA, which this year is commemoration its 20^th anniversary.

Officially launched in March 1997, the IORA has, as its main objective, the promotion of sustained growth and balanced development of the region and of its 21 member States, as well as creating common ground for regional economic co-operation.

This first summit meeting, which is to be held under the theme ‘ Strengthening Maritime Co-operation for a Peaceful, Stable & Prosperous Indian Ocean’, will be preceded by a Senior Officials and Council of Ministers meeting. The endorsement and signing of the IORA Concord and Action Plan 2017-2021, is expected to be the major outcome of the Jakarta Summit.