Speeches / Statements
SANA'A COMMUNIQUE At 9th IOR-ARC Meeting of the Council of Ministers
25/06/2009
The Ministers and Heads of Delegations participating in the 9th Council of Ministers Meeting of IOR-ARC in Sana'a during the period 20 – 25th of June 2009 expressed their appreciation for the warm hospitality extended by the Republic of Yemen and the excellent arrangements for the IOR-ARC meetings. Member States also expressed their support for the development and prosperity of Yemen and its people.
The Council of Ministers noted the active participation of Member States in all meetings of IOR-ARC, which reflects their commitment to the Association's role in enhancing greater cooperation between Member States in the field of trade, investment, academic exchanges and technical cooperation.
The Council of Ministers also stressed the importance of support to the Secretariat so as to enable it to execute its responsibilities in an efficient and dynamic manner.
The Council of Ministers approved the following activities:
1. The Re-examination of the Charter to better address the changing needs of the Association.
2. Encourage Member States to be represented by technical experts in the meetings of the technical fora.
3. Appoint a review panel to prioritize and review the projects submitted to the different fora of IOR-ARC
4. Abandon any projects which did not show any progress during the last two years after consultation with the lead coordinator Member State.
The Council of Ministers supported projects for the establishment of the Regional Center for Science and Technology Transfer, the Maritime Transport Council, the Fisheries Support Unit and the Preferential Trade Arrangement for the mutual benefit of participating Member States.
The Council of Ministers encouraged expanding the cooperation between IOR-ARC Member States in various areas including Investment, Tourism, Construction, Trade, Education and Training, Protection of the Environment and New Renewable Energy, Agro-meteorogical advisory service system to increase agricultural output and forecasting the track, intensity, landfall prediction and impact assessment of tropical cyclones affecting the north Indian Ocean Rim Countries etc.
IOR-ARC Member States expressed their full support to the Yemen initiative and its efforts to combat piracy as well as the efforts of other countries. They welcome the idea of the concept paper to establish the Regional Maritime Centre for sharing of information for combating piracy in Yemen.
IOR-ARC Member States strongly welcomed the initiative of the United Arab Emirates to propose the hosting of the IRENA headquarters. This is in the context of ongoing global discussion on climate change where the crucial role of renewable energy resources was emphasized by all IOR-ARC Member countries.
Sana'a, Republic of Yemen
June 25, 2009