Visit to Indonesia for Indian Ocean Rim Association Meeting

I will visit Jakarta from 5-6 March to attend the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) Council of Ministers' Meeting.

Comprising 21 member states, IORA is the premier organisation for the Indian Ocean region and plays an important role in strengthening regional security cooperation. A secure, stable Indian Ocean is crucial for Australia's national security and prosperity.

At IORA we will be advancing cooperation on countering terrorism and violent extremism. We will also discuss how Indian Ocean countries can cooperate to strengthen regional prosperity by promoting trade, the sustainable use of marine resources and women's economic participation.

Australia has been part of IORA since it was established in 1997 and we played a lead role in progressing the organisation's agenda during our term as Chair from 2013 to 2015. We welcome Indonesia's vision and ambition in coordinating and hosting the first IORA Leaders' Summit on 7 March, which will commemorate IORA's 20th Anniversary.

While in Jakarta, I will take the opportunity to meet with Indonesian Vice President Jusuf Kalla, Minister for Foreign Affairs Retno Marsudi and other senior ministers. I will also meet with influential women leaders from business, media and civil society.

Indonesia is one of our most important partners in the region. We share an extensive framework for cooperation spanning political, economic, security, development, education, and people-to-people ties.