Foreign Affairs Minister Tilak Marapana, addressing the Indian Ocean Conference (IOC) in Colombo said a “common approach and commitment” was needed to overcome new challenges faced by Indian Ocean countries.

“As an island nation, Ocean Affairs is of vital significance to Sri Lanka,” the Minister said.

“We have for many years participated prominently in many international and regional initiatives related to Ocean Affairs. More significantly, we were closely involved from the outset with the Third United Nations Conference on the Law of the Sea at which a new legal regime for the oceans was developed.”

“The situation in the world, particularly in the Indian Ocean, has undergone a major transformation since that time,” the Minister said.

“The end of Cold War, and the shift towards globalization, benefitted the region’s economic thrust. However, several new challenges and threats to regional stability and security have emerged such as cross border issues, terrorism, piracy, drug trafficking, and environmental catastrophe.”

“These challenges require the development of a common approach and commitment, by those who are present in the region,” the Minister asserted.

He said the Indian Ocean economies rely on the “free and secure passage of maritime trade,” and therefore have a “fundamental interest in fostering peace and security and ensuring a safe maritime domain for all.”

“An Indian Ocean, Rules Based Order that respects the rights of all states to the freedom of navigation and over-flight, and ensures unimpeded lawful maritime commerce, in line with international laws and regulations, is essential for peace and prosperity in our region and beyond,” the Minister said, adding that a stable and secure Ocean order “will not only build confidence and predictability among its users” but also assist in combating maritime crime and ensuring the “safety and security of our Sea Lanes of Communication.”

“Sri Lanka’s National Economic Development policies have incorporated the Indian Ocean as a vital component in its Development Plan. The Blue-Green development strategy, outlined by President Sirisena, places the sustainable utilization of ocean resources at its centre,” the Minister said.

“Our aim is to reap the benefits of Blue Economy by adopting environment friendly green development policies.”

He said Sri Lanka attached great importance to maritime connectivity – “ We need to start linking up maritime expertise across the board in the Indian Ocean Region. Our future depends on sharing this wealth of experience and knowledge that will lead to a collective success story,” he said.

The Minister said the challenge that confronts the Indian Ocean countries was how to find a structure on how to “sustain and promote peace, progress and prosperity in the Indian Ocean Region.”

“Towards this end, I believe that our economic drive should be matched by a commitment to protecting our environment particularly our oceans, and to manage ocean resources in a sustainable manner in order to ensure healthier oceans and a more prosperous society,” he said.

“Our political goals also need to be matched by mutual respect and a strong determination to adhere to the laws and rules based systems that govern the seas.”

He said the countries need to take home a “commitment to direct our energy towards a sustainable ocean economy, together with better ocean protection as well as for maintaining peace in our oceans.”