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Strengthening Maritime Security Cooperation in the Indian Ocean Region

Strengthening Maritime Security Cooperation in the Indian Ocean Region

The Australian High Commission and the Durban University of Technology (DUT) will jointly host a seminar on ‘Strengthening maritime security cooperation in the Indian Ocean region’ on Monday, 30 June at the DUT Hotel School in Durban.

“The seminar has been organised in the context of Australia’s Chairmanship of the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) in 2013-15,” High Commissioner Graeme Wilson noted. “Australia is leading a reinvigorated IORA and is proud to be working closely with other Organisation members to tackle emerging issues in the Indian Ocean in the twenty first century,” Mr Wilson added.

The seminar will provide an excellent opportunity to explore perspectives on emerging challenges to the Indian Ocean maritime security domain. It will also provide a forum for expert practitioners on Indian Ocean issues to discuss options for enhanced regional cooperation.

The keynote address at the seminar will be delivered by the former Chief of the South African Navy, Vice Admiral Johannes Mudimu (retd), the current Armscor Board Chairperson.Panellists at the event will comprise Mr Wilson, Ambassador Anil Sooklal (Deputy Director-General: Asia and Middle East, Department of InternationalRelations and Cooperation) and Mr Leon Govender (Head of Department of Maritime Studies, Durban University of Technology).

“I am pleased to be co-hosting a seminar on such an important topic and warmly welcome the high-level list of speakers and panellists who will be sharing their expert perspectives on the challenges and opportunities in the Indian Ocean,” Mr Wilson said.

Durban University of Technology Vice-Chancellor and Principal, Professor Ahmed Bawa, said that it was important for Durban, KZN and South Africa to play a meaningful role in IORA. “The South African Navy is busy upgrading its naval facility in the Port of Durban, the harbour is planning to expand and our country is playing a key role when it comes to maritime security initiatives. So it makes sense that this seminarhappens at DUT”, Professor Bawa added. He stressed that, “currently, DUT offers a Maritime Studies qualification and we are also a training provider to the SA Navy, so co-hosting this seminar with our friends from Australia is a wonderful opportunity for our university toplay a proactive role in the maritime industry and to further establish ourefforts in the local context.”

IORA comprises a group of 20 Indian Ocean rim states who have committed to broadening and deepening their efforts to bolster maritime security and safety as one of their key priorities.

Media enquiries: Please contact Mr Will Butler on +27 82 822 5838, will.butler@dfat.gov.au or Ms Noxolo Memela, Media Officer at DUT on +27 31 3732899 or email noxolom@dut.ac.za –

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