SOUTH AFRICA’S INDIAN OCEAN RIM ASSOCIATION LEGACY: A MORE INCLUSIVE AND OPEN IORA

The policy brief assesses the evolution of the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) and identifies strategic opportunities for South Africa during its 2017-2018 chairmanship. While acknowledging IORA's progress in establishing priority areas like the Blue Economy and maritime security, the author argues that the organisation is hindered by a consensus-based decision-making process that avoids controversy and a 'member-driven approach' that lacks continuity and transparency. The brief recommends that South Africa focus on institutional reforms to better integrate academic and policy research, strengthen ties with other African member states and the 2050 Africa’s Integrated Maritime Strategy, and improve the Secretariat's monitoring and reporting functions.

• IORA's effectiveness is limited by its Charter, which requires consensus for all decisions and explicitly excludes issues that are 'likely to generate controversy and be an impediment to regional co-operation efforts'. This has prevented the association from addressing complex geostrategic and security challenges, limiting its maritime security focus to less controversial areas like search and rescue.
• The 'member-driven approach' adopted by IORA allows for continuity despite a small secretariat and limited budget, but it results in a lack of integration and focus. Furthermore, information sharing is a significant challenge, making it difficult for stakeholders who do not attend meetings to access information about the activities of forums and agencies, such as the Fisheries Support Unit.
• South Africa's priorities as IORA chair—maritime safety and security, disaster risk management, and sustainable fisheries management—align with its national 'Operation Phakisa' initiative, which focuses on the Ocean Economy including shipping, aquaculture, offshore oil and gas, and coastal tourism.
• There is a critical need to reform how IORA engages with the research and policy community. Currently, there are no terms of reference for working groups, and pathways for researchers not identified through national focal points to engage are undefined, leading to meetings that are 'usually attended by government officials with limited or no feedback shared with the broader national community'.
• South Africa is positioned to strengthen the involvement of other African IORA member states and create synergies between the IORA Action Plan and the 2050 Africa’s Integrated Maritime Strategy (AIM Strategy).

APA

BENKENSTEIN, A. (2018). SOUTH AFRICA’S INDIAN OCEAN RIM ASSOCIATION LEGACY: A MORE INCLUSIVE AND OPEN IORA. South African Institute of International Affairs. https://saiia.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/Policy-Briefing-175.pdf

Chicago

BENKENSTEIN, ALEX. SOUTH AFRICA’S INDIAN OCEAN RIM ASSOCIATION LEGACY: A MORE INCLUSIVE AND OPEN IORA. South African Institute of International Affairs, 2018. https://saiia.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/Policy-Briefing-175.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=BENKENSTEIN |first1=ALEX |title=SOUTH AFRICA’S INDIAN OCEAN RIM ASSOCIATION LEGACY: A MORE INCLUSIVE AND OPEN IORA |publisher=South African Institute of International Affairs |date=June 2018 |url=https://saiia.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/Policy-Briefing-175.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{benkenstein2018south, author = {BENKENSTEIN, ALEX}, title = {{SOUTH AFRICA’S INDIAN OCEAN RIM ASSOCIATION LEGACY: A MORE INCLUSIVE AND OPEN IORA}}, institution = {South African Institute of International Affairs}, year = {2018}, month = jun, url = {https://saiia.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/Policy-Briefing-175.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }